"Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples," (Luke 9:28-43, ESV) [1]
[1] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
My daughter Lora, who had been out of touch with me for several months has called me. She is well and my granddaughter Serenity is well. I have been praying morning noon and night for Lora and Serenity and my prayers have been answered!
Our God is a wonderful and faithful God! Alleluia!
Lora has been having a rough time of late, struggling to make ends meet as a single mom, suffering a lot of stress as her long time companion languished in jail for a year and now has been placed into prison for an even longer term. She has finally realized that this relationship was not good for her and Serenity and it is finally over, for this I also thank God.
Lora called me at 5:00 am my time, in Montana that was 6:00 am and she knows I am almost always up by 6:00 am. Of course I was sound asleep :-) I didn't mind though. I felt a great rush of relief and joy when I saw the 406 area code on my phone as I picked it up and a wave of compassion and love when I heard her voice. God is so good!
It is not yet set but I may be traveling up to Montana and picking up Miss Serenity to bring her down for an extended visit with grandpa for a couple of months. As I said, Lora is struggling to get things together and it might help if the stress of a 6 year old was out of the picture for a little bit. I do look forward to that, it would be an adventure :-)
In case you haven't noticed I'm pumped! Woo Hoo!
Praise God! Breaking out into song now...
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him,
for he is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear
Now to his temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who over all
Things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle,
uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen
All that is needful has been
Sent by his gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will
Prosper your work and defend you;
Surely his goodness and mercy
Shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew
What the almighty can do
As with his love he befriends you.
Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all
That is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath,
Come now with praises before him!
Let the amen
Sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him!
OK, now that I've got that out, here is today's reflection from Higher Things. This is serendipitous, just yesterday I was writing in my journal thoughts on how everything I have really belongs to God and that I should try and recall that as I use the things that he has given me, from my time to my money and my car, my computer and my TV and all things. In any case here is the reflection for today:
In the name of Jesus. Amen. What you have in this world, you have as a gift from God – everything. Your body and soul: gift. Your eyes, ears, and all your members: gift, too. Your reason and your senses: gift…and gift. Everything that makes you, you: all gifts from Him.
Mom and Dad: gift. Brothers and sisters? Also gift – even when they annoy you. The great qualities that you inherited from your parents are a gift from your Father in Heaven? Those strange things that your family does that embarrass you? Those are gifts from Him, too.
The clothes you like: gift from God. The clothes that stay in your closet and are never worn because you hate them; more gifts,. The food you eat – gift. The food you waste and throw away – gift, too.
Today is Valentine's Day. Your girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, or husband is a gift. Thank God for them. If the Lord hasn't given you gifts such as these yet, that's a gift, too.
You know that part of you that you don't like? Yes, that's a gift. That little annoying habit you have? Yes, you guessed it! Another gift.
You are the only one like you in all the world: gift. He wouldn't and won't make another person like you – your uniqueness is a gift, too.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. He did that. You didn't deserve to have Him make you just the way you are. He did that by grace.
“By grace,” means, “by Jesus.” Jesus took upon Himself all the stuff that God didn't make in you: your sins. He died for all the “gifts” which God didn't give you – the evil thought, words, and deeds that you do daily and much. He died for all His gifts that you reject.
You live. You live in Him. That's a gift. That's the greatest gift the Father has given to you – new life in Christ. He has saved your body, soul, eyes, ears, and all your members. He has saved your reason and all your senses. In Christ, He has saved all of you. Jesus crucified for you is your greatest gift. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Today's Reading: The Apostle’s Creed, First Article
Daily Lectionary: Job 10:1-22; St. John 5:1-18 ¶ 2/14/2007 06:04:00 AM 0 Comments
