Update on my brother Johnny

Johnny continues to improve. He is eating more and sleeping less.

A couple of days ago he was lying in bed holding one of his flags and one of his nurses was in the room. She was looking at some pictures I had and her back was to John. My mom saw him slowly edging his flag toward her. She said “Johnny, don’t you poke her with that!” He quickly withdrew the flag, only to wait a minute and then poke her in the backside. He didn’t poke her hard and she thought it was funny.

They love him and pick at each other all the time. It is so good to see him acting like himself. It has been awhile since he did such things.   

He still has a ways to go so please continue to pray. God bless each of you~

For The Word Of God Is Living...

Hebrews Chapter 4:12-16

God’s Living Word

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

4:12,13. The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word is quick (living). This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it is powerful (active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even his thoughts and intents. Likewise, God’s eye sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense. (taken from King James Study Bible) 

Our Compassionate High Priest

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

4:14,15. At this point the author begins his discussion of Christ as high priest. His priestly ministry is far superior to any other priest’s because of the intercession He provides. The earthly high priest, with fear, once a year gained access to the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies; Christ not only has access to but is seated in the very presence of God the Father. Yet prior to this position, He partook of man’s nature and temptations so that He might sympathize, yet without sin. To imagine that since Jesus could not sin He could not suffer, misses the point of the passage. Temptation can be a reality apart from sin. “God cannot be tempted with evil” (James 1:3), yet God is tried or tempted (Gr. Peirazo) by men (3:9; Acts 15:10). Yet, beyond the statements of this passage, He who was God, though made like man, could not sin (being impeccable); and indeed, He need not sin to be human. Before Adam sinned, he was completely human. The glorified saint will never again be able to sin, yet remain human. Temptation is greatest in duration and intensity when one does not accept the “easy” way out by sinning. If man’s temptation is greater when he endures it, surely Christ’s was great since He had no alternative, in His humanity, but to endure it.

4:16. Only Christianity provides such boldness for sinful men before a holy God, and that boldness is possible only because of our High Priest. The figure of a throne suggests a place of authority and provision. It is the place to obtain God’s grace when it is especially needed. (taken from King James Study Bible)         

Does this not cause us to stand in awe?

This all powerful, holy God, who can see in us what we ourselves cannot see, loves us and came to be tempted, to suffer and die in our place that we might have eternal life. I stand amazed in His presence! (my comments here are so inadequate)

Quite An Exciting Time

This weekend I had the privilege of attending my nephew’s wedding.

Family gathered from across the nation. People who didn’t know each other, as well as those who did, but had not seen one another in ages converged in a state park in Tennessee. Most of us stayed in cabins. It was beautiful.

It was quite different from most weddings I have attended. It was held in an old, stone and wood beam building (I thought resembled a castle) in the woods.

The groom wore a black tux with tails and the bride wore a beautiful white dress. The groomsmen wore black tuxes with tails, and the bridesmaids wore black dresses. The music was performed by a soloist with acoustic guitar accompaniment. The groom’s father read out of Proverbs and a Scottish writing

(I believe a poem).

When the minister had them turn to one another and read statements they had written to one another, the bride teared up and the love she had for this man was abundantly obvious. I had seen that same look in him as she had walked down the aisle.

At the reception, the groom entered with a top hat, white gloves and a cane.  Of course he had his beaming bride on his arm. There was indeed much celebration.

As I consider this wedding and all the joy, I did not dwell on the painful areas of my life. No, I was so elated with happiness over this event, I kinda forgot that elsewhere there was suffering and pain. I didn’t think about the struggles I would face next week, or the house payment and other bills that I have to pay. It was like I was caught up in the moment and all was happiness.

There may be other weddings I attend, Some may even seem grander. But I know there is coming a wedding soon that will have no equal. The best part is, it will have no end.

⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
⁶ And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! ⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” ⁸ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
⁹ Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” –Revelation 19:5-9

You have an invitation; why not RSVP right now?

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