Prayer - According To...

 Father, this is the last acrostic section of Psalm 119. Although the author is unknown to us, You know who he was.  It actually feels like it was David's writings, especially when I read the last verse, verse 176. It says,

"I have strayed like a lost sheep.  Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands."

Once upon a time, in his earlier years, King David had been a shepherd.  Several of his other Psalms attest to it with obvious references to shepherding and all its life-style encompasses.

My curiosity has been sustained through-out this particular Psalm as to whom to credit the writing.  So, when I read the last verse which I've been pondering for a couple of days, it struck me,  almost conclusively, it must have been David, whether as the shepherd or the king.

Yes, I know, Father, its not the writer but what has been written that's important.  Also, ultimately it was You, through inspiration of Your Holy Spirit engaging in the author's mind, quill pen to "paper," teaching Him what to capture in words.

We are often like those straying sheep, Father.  Do seek us.  Many are the distractions of life that get us out of the pasture and onto the rocks and cliffs of life.  Sometimes it takes the rocky rough places or a rugged mountain traversing, troubled seas or a dry desert, to learn to trust You and believe, as one song's lyrics say.  You are the One in control.

We do love You and Your Words, and have not forgotten them, but we do need You, our Good Shepherd to bring us back to You.

May we live then, to praise You, Your words, laws, commands, decrees and precepts and what's more, to delight in and obey them as the psalm writer vowed to do.  For him, it had come a great cost, but he still fed in Your quiet pastures and drank from Your still waters in the end. May we turn to You too Father and follow Your Son Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

We ask for Your help all along life's journey, Father, and as the author seemed fond of saying a number of times, in that standard of "according to Your word;" "according to Your promise;" "according to Your love;" and "according to Your laws," which are established forever.  They are so great they cannot be fathomed or measured.  However, they can govern and guide us all along life's pathway to Your green pastures of delight.

Our hearts rejoice.

Thank-You, in Jesus' precious Name we pray and praise.

                                                  ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm119:169-176 (Taw)

Sing Sometimes It Takes a Mountain along with the Gaither Vocal Band

Prayer - No Stumbling

 

Heavenly Father, when we think of persecution in whatever form, but especially without cause (is there ever justice to it?), we think of pain, torment, agony, betrayal, hurt and bewilderment.  Maybe there is even a giving in to the persecutors.  Those perpetrators who manipulate terrible horrific nightmares for Your people of faith to go through in unrelenting perpetuity. 

I actually prayed this prayer back in September, but this morning I'm only getting to input it into my blog.  This morning, our church service was to learn about and to pray for "the suffering church".  Those severely tried by the hands of aggressors who know not You, our God of love and mercy, nor Your Son Jesus Christ who died for them, and whom these victims worship and adore and trust in. 

 We learned of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, how back in April 2020, one village had been attacked and burned and so the survivors fled to another village where there were many believers.  The attackers who hate them for what they stand for (faith in Jesus Christ), came there too.  Those in this second village had showed hospitality to  those from village 'A' and there were up to twenty persons each in one small home.  This too, in time of Covid-19.  In this village 'B', there was also no mercy shown and their homes were burned as well and likely many other horrors inflicted.  When they had left, the combined village A and B, buried their dead and roamed, looking for places of refuge.  They did not dare to go the the 'regular' refugee camps as there were those who would continue the severe harassment, and hurt.  

Oh Father we beseech You on their behalf.  May they find the necessities of life and be comforted by You and Your people from all over the world.  May they continue to find their hope, peace, comfort, refuge, courage and forgiveness in You.  Supply their needs Father through Your children.

We do wonder how these and such other victims keep steady and sane?

In verse 161 of Psalm 119, the psalmist says his "heart trembles".  I guess it would for all that!  However, look why it trembles.  It is NOT because of the persecution without cause.  It is not trembling in fear and/or anger as we may expect.  No, his heart trembles at Your Word, Father!

Seems a strange perspective.

His heart trembles at Your word and he,

"rejoices in Your promise" (verse 162)!

Go on!  Is he for real?

After reading from the opening of Psalm 119, the "Aleph" verses up until now, more than one hundred verses later, this is what we can expect from this author.  He has a very deep, close, trusting relationship with You, Father.  He turns our hearts and minds to You and Your words, too.

He says Your promise is,

"like one who finds great spoil" (v 162).

This guy has been to the wars.  He and his military troops have been victorious. They have experienced wonderful finds of jewels and gems, cloth, robes, livestock and perhaps even weapons of war, abandoned by the defeated, fleeing enemy armies.  The spoil and "trophies" of war won.  Exciting and triumphant, and he equated such finds with the promises he'd found in Your word.  They were his true treasures.

Father, there have been times I have found a coin or dollar on the ground as I walked along somewhere.  As a child that was really satisfying and made one's heart glad to retrieve it and skip along home to proclaim and exclaim about it and deposit it in a piggy bank.  That is similar to the gleeful feeling, I believe the psalmist seemed to have had at discovering Your word.

Oh how this Psalm writer loved Your law (v. 163), Father God.  He loved it because it is truth.  The truth in Your words as opposed to the falsehoods he hated.  The falsehoods, of false accusations as likely alluded to in the

 "rulers persecuted me without cause" (v. 161).

So his heart trembled, and rejoiced at the law he loved, causing him to praise You, not once, not twice, but "seven times a day" because of Your righteous laws (v 164).  This in turn gave him great peace and steadied him.  He declared,

"...nothing can make me stumble" (v. 165).

Father, may our hearts be fixed on your Words too.  Bring them to memory, for those persecuted for their faith in You and Jesus.  May our hearts and theirs beat with rejoicing from whence will spring praise, and keep us all steady through obedience to them.  

This is a key.  Obedience to Your Words.  The psalmist wrote that he did not just love Your promises, commands, laws, precepts, etc, but he obeyed them.  This is how he grew closer to you.  This is how he got to know You and cling to You in times of trouble, great or small.

You already knew 

"all his ways" (v. 168) 

as You know and see, with heartache, all those oppressed on Your behalf.  He was in the process of knowing You, loving You and loving Your words "greatly".  No doubt, those of our brothers and sisters fleeing for their lives, put these to the test too.  Be their Shield Father and Provider more than ever.

Combined, the process kept the psalmist from stumbling.  They will also cause the persecuteds' hearts to hold firm in faith to You too.  Father God, they will keep all of us, Your children, steady when we love and obey them.  Then there will be no losing our grip on You.  

It's good to know, though that You and Your Son each hold us in Your hands and it is actually You keeping us steady and on balance.  In this we put our trust.

We break out in praise in the morning, at noon and night and as many times in-between, as we like.

This is the ideal, theorizing "exercise" and habit to get into our heads, and hearts.  This is not just about the talk but the walk too, needs to come into play, as words do come cheap.  When the rubber hits the road, Father, find us as faithful as those in that African country and in other such countries where Your children are plagued and persecuted unendingly.   May we make this our everyday modus operandi as it must have been all along for the psalmist.  This, so that when persecution, in whatever form, does descend upon us, we will be able to already have our "armor of God" practice upon us.  May we have Your words, and our relationship with You in place.  May we place our confidence and trust in You; the by product will protect us and keep us steady and sane.

There will be no stumbling.  By Your grace, Father God, and in you we make our trust and boast.  We love You Lord, because You first loved us.  Thank-You for Your Holy Spirit who helps us know You more through our obedience to Your word, who helps us stand faithfully firm for You.

We praise You!

In Jesus Name we pray and praise.

                                                       ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm 119:161-168 (Sin & Shin)

Sing the Sunday School song, Seven Times A Day I Will Praise You.

Lord' Day Devotion -Devotional Prayer - Look On My Suffering

 

It is Lord's Day, as I write, today.  I've just finished reading Luke 22.  This is where Jesus has His last supper and Passover Meal earth side, with His disciples in the upper room.  He institutes what we now term, "The Lord's Supper" or "Holy Communion", or to some "the Breaking of Bread".  Judas Iscariot goes out to bring a contingent of Jewish leaders and temple guards to arrest Jesus; betraying Jesus to them with a kiss and the grim lure of thirty shekels of silver coins.

We know what happened then, Jesus suffering:  the torment of whipping; the crown of thorns jammed into his skull; mocked and scorned; being spit upon, all culminating in crucifixion.  The shame of hanging up there for one and all to see the excruciating agony etched into His loving, forgiving face.

Then the separation between Father and Son--like an ultimate betrayal, because of our sin--the sin of mankind, due to The Fall so long ago in the Garden of Eden.  Physical suffering combined with the spiritual.  

As an hymn writer once penned,

"See Him, stricken, smitten and afflicted,

See him dying on the tree,

God, by man rejected,

Tis, my soul, for thee."

What an impact then to flip to Psalm 119:153 (NIV) and straight away read,

"Look on my suffering and deliverance..."

This was the pleading of the "author unknown" psalmist.

"Look on my suffering..." 

he cried out to God.

"...and deliver me..."

Did not Jesus pray similarly in the Garden of Gethsemane?

"Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42 NIV)

Think of yourself at the foot of the cross, gazing up at Jesus; hearing His cry from above, "Eli, Eli lama sabacthani?"   Translated to, 

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me" (Mark15:34 NIV)?

This was unrelenting suffering.  Yet, Jesus, persevered and went through it all, for me, for you, for the "whosoever will" (John 3;16) who would accept this gift of salvation.  He bore this awful load so He could deliver us, as the psalmist wanted God to do for him.  Of course, we don't know what suffering that psalmist was undergoing but the significance is there.  It was deep and real.

Jesus did all that for us so He could be our Deliverer, Defender, Redeemer; our Preserver of life and Friend and Savior (through His death and resurrection and our acceptance of His gift of salvation from which we receive everlasting life and this is according to His promise).

"Salvation is far from the wicked," (Psalm 119:155),

declared the psalmist but even when the wicked come to their senses, are repentant and decide to seek out our Heavenly Father's decrees, our LORD's,

"compassion is great" (vs 156)

and He will rescue the soul upon request.

Thank-You, Father God, in all of this we can boast; none will ever be confounded if, by faith, they come to You.

Even on the cross, Jesus "rescued" one of the two malefactors who had been crucified on either side of Him.  One, repentant, asked Jesus to remember Him when Jesus had come into His Kingdom.  Jesus assured him that, that day he'd be with Him in paradise (Luke 23;43 NIV).  Such is the grace of our loving Lord.

The other faithless criminal hurled insults at Jesus, even though they were in the same boat, so to speak.

Psalm 119:158 NIV sums it up,

"I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey Your word".

The faithless looked up upon Jesus with loathing and mockery yet Jesus' compassion and redemption would have been equally given if he and the others had repented.  Their lives too, would have been preserved.  All this in "accordance to God's word, laws and love and promise" (vs 154, 156, 159).

We can rely on God, that the salvation He bought and brought for us through His Son Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection on the third day, is true because,

"...all (His) words are true; all (His) righteous laws are eternal" (vs 160).

Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.  We come to You in reverence and awe at the work Your hands have wrought for us through the suffering Your Son Jesus endured for us on the cross of shame, woe and salvation.

We 'looked' upon Him and His suffering and found our Deliverer.  We looked upon Him and found our Preserver of life.  We looked upon Him and found our Redeemer and Savior; Lord of great compassion, the One who keeps His promises out of the great depths of love He had for His human creatures.  We looked upon that suffering that rescued us out of the claws and jaws of Your enemy Satan--from that kingdom of darkness to Your kingdom of God and Light.  Thank-You, Jesus, Savior.

We can rely on Your words, laws, decrees, statutes and promises and therefore we can also obey these Your righteous laws which are eternal.

Father God, as we partake of the bread and drink of the cup of wine, that Jesus instituted for us to do as often as we can, that awful night of betrayal and arrest, which led to His suffering, death and resurrection, we give our wholehearted thanks from a heart full and humbly trembling with gratitude.  We didn't deserve all of that but are so very thankful for Your compassion and overwhelming love.  These compelled You to send Jesus and made Him willing to suffer and die for us; for me; this Man, the Son of God, Your one and only Son.

It is a time when a simple "Thank-You" does not seem enough.  However, Father, You know the heart and are satisfied with our acceptance of Your wonderful Gift You purchased for us with Your costly grace.  This is the thanks You want.  This gives You pleasure and us joy.

May we show our gratitude in praise, thanksgiving, devoted service and in the remembrance of our Savior in His death and resurrection through "The Breaking of Bread", as often as we can.  We have looked upon Jesus' suffering and are free from the bondage of sin and death.

In Jesus name we praise and pray and remember.

                                               ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm 119:153-160 (Resh)

Coupled with Luke 22 and Mark 15 (NIV).

Sing meaningfully, "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" along with Fernando Ortega

Prayer - Call With All Your Heart

 The psalmist of Psalm 119 was willing to lose sleep to call out to his LORD.  He'd rise early, before dawn to do so!  This also after his eyes had stayed open through the watches of the night to meditate on God's promises.

He had purpose for loss of sleep.  He had zeal.  He had obedience to God's Word.  He had great sincerity of heart and thirst for God.

Father God, ignite us all with such fervent passion to meld and melt our hearts to obedience to Your will and ways, and more importantly to grow our relationship and habit of communing with You.  It is the desire of Your heart.  Make it the desire of ours to reciprocate and spend time bathing in Your presence and with Your Words.

As the psalmist said, Your laws are, 

"...never far; You are near, all Your commands are true...You established them, making them to last forever".

In this world of global warming and decay, those are welcome words:  'established" and "last forever".  May we make them the anchor of our souls and long for them at all times of the day and night; in good times and even in the times when the wicked have devised their evil schemes against us.

We know the anchor of Your Words and our obedience to them is what will hold us steady through the storms of life.  You preserve us time and again.  Thank-You, Father.

As always, Father, You wrap us round with Your unfailing love  We can count on You.  We, Your children by grace, may we truly reach the state where we call with all our heart (not a divided, distracted heart) as the psalmist could.  

Answer us, Abba Father.

We need You.

In Jesus' Name we ask.

                                                         ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm 119:145-152 (Qoph)

Sing When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, especially "demands our heart, souls our all.  

Sing along with the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge.

Destroyed or Delivered?

 "Destroyed!?"

"No stone left upon another?!"

"But, Jesus, this is a very grand and magnificent Temple we have here!"

He said this about 40 years before it happened.  It happened in AD70.  Roman Emperor Titus razed not only the Temple but Jerusalem as well.  This, just as Jesus had said it would.

There had been another of their Temples that had been similarly destroyed.  Remember the grandness of Solomon's Temple?  Not even one sound of a tool was heard upon another in its construction!  How amazing is that!  Gold glinted everywhere.  So King Solomon had a solemn celebration dedicating the Temple to God.  He had a most moving prayer (1 Kings 8:22-61).

Yet all that splendor ended in an inglorious heap of rubble.  The children of Israel had been warned again and again to follow God's commands, which if you recall, they had solemnly sworn to follow.  Prophets' words of reprisals if they did not turn from their wicked ways landed on willfully deaf ears.  The Babylonians came, destroyed, and swept most of the inhabitants away to Babylon.  

That's where Daniel got thrown into a lion's den for praying to the one true God.  That's also where Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego got tied and tossed into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to the mammoth idol replica of the king.  These were those who were among the few righteous who did fear God and did what was right in His eyes.

Sometimes the deeds of others encompass those who haven't joined in the wrong.  The consequences of the wrong doers wrong doings affect others; case in point, Daniel and his three friends.  They got swooped up and carried off to Babylon right along with all the heedless ones.  Unfair, yet God's purposes are past finding out.

God's presence was held in contempt.  The catalyst was activated, and the destruction of Solomon's Temple was complete.

Seventy years of extended punishment had elapsed, and according to the prophecy, the then reigning king of Babylon allowed the Israelite Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.  Enter Ezra the "Engineer"-in-charge who oversaw the project.

The dedication service for this temple was somber for some who recalled the grandeur of Solomon's Temple dedication.  However, those who had been born since, in captivity, and had returned and with holy-hush awe, praised God for this new Temple, the presence of God and the privilege to worship Him in the fullness of their Judaism as prescribed by God, through Moses, to His chosen people.

This second Temple, a more modest structure, was refurbished years later, during Herod the Great's reign, to almost the first Temple's resplendence. This was what the disciples were so wonderstruck about.  Apparently, according to wikipedia, this modest-morphed-to-magnificent Temple lasted about 585 years. 

Sad to say, this Temple was admired more than the One Whom the people were supposed to be worshiping therein.  They desecrated it by turning the Court of the Gentiles into a marketplace instead of valuing it for the purpose of prayer and a place for Gentiles to worship this one true God it was meant for.  In effect, it was also excluding the "unclean undesirables" and in essence decidedly telling them they were not wanted.  This place of worship is for Jews only.

This glorious Temple and the God they purportedly worshiped was taken for granted and so was Jesus.  Actually, He hardly rated at all in the eyes of the religious leaders; the ones who should have known Him.  He was rejected by them instead; rejected as their Messiah.  Rejected for Who He was, the One God had sent, this God in Person, their Emmanuel-God with us, the great I AM, who had come to seek and to save their lost souls.  This made Jesus weep.

Jesus declared and warned that Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed.  This also made Jesus weep.

By contrast, all the people could focus on was the WHEN this devastation of the Temple would happen and WHAT the sign of it would be.  Jesus did not give them a direct answer.  He did tell them not to be led astray by all the destruction, warring and sickness, and so on.

In our present day we have COVID-19 attacking worldwide.  There are plagues of locusts in Africa; heatwaves in Japan and India where scores of people die; a typhoon in China and riots and wild forest fires in the USA.

Lots of destruction and decimation and fear.

Does it make you feel depressed?

Don't be.  Jesus said to use these times as a chance to tell the Good news to others.  Wouldn't that be something, instead of folks, minus their masks and social distancing, out there demanding their rights to do so?

The Christians in Wuhan did risk their lives to tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their compatriots out and about on the street and who were in fear and trembling over Covid.

Jesus added, some words of encouragement.  He told His followers that when they faced persecution, which they would face, to make up their minds to:  not worry what to say to the perpetrators; Jesus would give words of wisdom to refute their enemies.  They can ask for wisdom.  After all that, to "stand firm" (Luke 21:10-19).

The Wuhan Christians in the streets gave true sacrifice.  They themselves could have contracted COVID-19 despite their protecting 'sop' gear.  They could have been arrested for spreading the gospel.  They resemble the widow and her last two copper coins we read about earlier in (Luke 21:1-4).  If they'd lost their last breaths to COVID, or had been arrested, they did not have "spare" change, so to speak.

What are we willing to sacrifice for Christ?

Could we stand firm under such pressures?

The lesson to learn from the fig tree (Luke 21:29-31).  When you see leave on a fig tree, you should be able to find fruit as well.  It is like when they saw all these destructive happenings happen they'd know the Kingdom of God was about to come.  This, even though,

 "no-one knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36); 

...not even the angels nor the Son, but the Father".  So Jesus did not give direct answer to the sign seekers.

Nonetheless, Jesus' warning was given.  We must be ready.  Accept Jesus as Savior and Lord before it is forever too late.  Do not be like the people of old who did not heed the prophet's warnings and then suffered the consequences.  

Jesus had another warning which can be seen in verse 34 and 36.  He said that while we wait for His coming, don't be so busy with,

"feasting and drinking or worrying about life".  

Think about your destiny and the destiny of others.

There are two places a person could end up:  Heaven or Hell.

May all choose life with Christ in Heaven.  May your spirit and soul be delivered from the eternal destruction and fly to the Heavenly everlasting life when your earthly temple disintegrates.

                                                          ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Luke 21:5-38 NIV.

No copyright infringement is intended by illustrating with a downloaded photo (of the destruction of Jerusalem/Temple).

Luke 21 video

Good Booklet - ordinary women with extraordinary stories

 

If you like to read but are hard put to find the time, this little booklet, ordinary women with extraordinary stories, is the one for you.  Or, if you do not enjoy reading lengthy works, this may also be for you.  It has six short but sweet stories compiled by the Women's Commission of NECF Malaysia which NECF Malaysia published and had printed in Malaysia.

These are mini capsules of autobiographical testimonies of "ordinary" Malaysian sisters-in-Christ, whose walk and service for the Lord continued, and continue, faithfully, despite the obstacles, trials and challenges that came into their lives; some of those life-experiences even descending upon them like a bombshell.

Six different types of "ordinary" are presented:  from a wife, missionary, politician, engineer, a single woman and corporate trainer.  As their perspectives and stories unfold, you will be encouraged in your own journey of faith and character building.

The Secretary General of NECF Malaysia, brother Sam Ung, who wrote the 'Forward' had this to say,

[These women were] "not significant or influential because of their careers but their character..."

One sister didn't know she had it in her to raise a Downs Syndrome child; another got "tricked" by God into the mission field; one had a miracle healing; another overcame severe shyness to preach while another has the on-going challenge of living and working with integrity in a known "dirty-dealing" business environment, being that light for Jesus in the corner where she is.  There but for the grace of God they would not be.

Now, I think I have said too much.  Oops...

Should you choose to read these stories, you won't be sorry.  May you, who may even feel you too are "just ordinary" realize that in Christ, You are His extra-ordinary daughters and have the potential to great exploits for Him as He molds and makes You more like Himself.

A word of caution--the English grammar could have been "doctored up" better in some of the stories.  Perhaps they did not have a proofreader to help them.  However, if you can overlook those flaws,  be inspired and motivated in Your service and walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as you read and trek life's road, briefly, in their extraordinary shoes.

May you find yourself a similar pair of shoes and keep on, keeping on.  With Christ, all things are possible.

                                                      ~ERC  October 2020~

Copyright National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia (NECF); April 2012; published by NECF Malaysia and printed in Malaysia by Akitiara Corporation.

How Much Does the Offering Jingle?

 

Jesus was sitting in the temple Treasury of His Father's house, observing people giving their offerings.  He noted two "groups" doing so:  rich men and a widow.

The rich men, perhaps with some pompousness, out of their abundance, gave.  I'm just imagining all the jingle and jangle of the coins as they followed one after another down the "trumpet" chute into the donation box below.  What a satisfactory sound that would be!  

People would really hear that!

You could just see the puffing up of chest, the self-congratulatory brushing off of hands of, "Good-job, man!" as the rich strutted off, preening.  Likely they were conscious of all eyes tracking their movements, with observers' stamps of approval following their progress.  And knowing, hey, they had plenty spare change left over, on their merry way they go.

The widow's gift, however, hardly made a significant tinkle and tinkle.  Off she went with head meekly downcast but heart uplifted to her Heavenly Father, in trust.  She had given all she had.  She had no spare.  That was all she  had, she had no more.  

Whatever prompted her to do that?  Had she been pressured by the religious leaders to give?  Possibly, and shame on them if they had!   I'd like to think it was from her heart of love and gratitude towards God; and in sincerity and trust, left her last "leptons".

Critical eyes may have remarked, "Huh!  Precious lot she gave.  So little!"  

BUT...

But Jesus saw her act.

He saw it and remarked that she had given more than those rich men had.

I suppose those disciples swiveled their heads swiftly around and gawked, mouths agape, at Jesus.  They wanted to see if He was serious.  Well, yes He was!  The widow's gift had much more value.  This was true sacrifice.

To God, He's not interested in the "how much" being given but the "how much" we have left over when the giving's done.  After all, He owns the cattle on the thousand hills and has wealth in every land (Psalm 50:10) so personally doesn't 'need' what is given.  NO.  It's heart check-up time.  It's the heart's frame of mind behind the gifts that count and that He looks at.

Have we given for show?  Or have we given from the heart of love and gratitude and appreciation for who Jesus is and for all He has done for us?  This Jesus our Savior who died on the cross to purchase our salvation.  He gave His all.  

What 'shape' of gifts do we give Him?

We must examine our hearts.  Make the needed changes necessary.  God loves a cheerful giver and one who gives from the sincere heart.

An interesting aside here is something I just learned while preparing this lesson (yes, originally for a Bible class of teenagers).  In the Temple Court of Women, there were thirteen trumpet-shaped "funnels" that "flushed" into thirteen donation boxes.  This area was also termed the "Temple Treasury".

These "trumpets" tickled my fancy and that is why I can picture the sound of the coins-skittering and sliding through the chutes to land in the coffers below.  As children, my siblings and I would sometimes get to visit a great-aunt and she had a penny slide (my term).

If  we were very well behaved we were allowed to play with it.  You'd place the penny at the top and down that penny would somersault down a switchback ladder slide to the bottom which did have a "donation" box ending.

We could retrieve that penny, however, and watch, fascinated, again and again, at the penny travels.  It made a certain satisfying, whispery sound as it went, and of course landing on top of other pennies in the 'hold' had it's own dull-sounding tintinabulation.

To Jesus, I believe, the widow's two copper coins jingled the loudest and clearest and sweetest.  He was well pleased. 

 Hers was true sacrifice.

                                                     ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Luke 21:1-4

*leptons-smallest of Roman coin currency

Sing And Can it be That I Should Gain with I'm not sure which choir but they have a British-sounding accent.

Luke 21

Prayer - Wearing Zeal

 

Being lukewarm makes God sick (Revelation 3:16).

Yet, how does the tepidness seep in?

Sometimes we are just plain 'ole tired, Lord!  We've put so much energy, effort, and time to our cause which in actual fact, is Your cause.  Don't get me wrong, Father, I'm not accusing or complaining, I'm just stating a fact.

We were powered by zeal for You and the call we believed You gave but that zeal wore us out.  We strove and strove and not many seemed to respond; or they only responded half-heartedly.  Little benefit appeared to have been gained.

Not like when the apostle Peter or brother Billy Graham used to preach and thousands streamed the aisles to give their lives to Jesus.

Yes, Father, Your calculations are different than our human ones.  Yet, Your Son Jesus, also got tired and sat.  He also asked the disciples to "come aside and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31-44). We need the times of refreshing and that's a fact too.

Nevertheless, the zeal waned and we may well have become "lukewarm".  In the book of Revelation, You said that the Laodiceans were "lukewarm" and You wished to "spew them out of Your mouth" (Revelation 3:16 NIV).

In the 40 Day Prayer and Fast booklet, Day 36-11 Sept 2020, it is remarked,

"What makes God sick?  Lukewarm religion!  No zeal, no enthusiasm, no passion for the Lord or the lost.  No growth, no fruit and an independent spirit that is seduced with self-centeredness, self-reliance, material gain and power.  It is being wise in our own eyes" (Brother Elisha Satvinder).

In Psalm 119:136, the psalmist has "streams of tears flowing from his eyes".  Why?  He observed that Your law was not being obeyed.  He declares in the next verses (137, 138) that Your laws and statutes are righteous, right and trustworthy"!  Therefore, it is incomprehensible to him as to why others do not obey them or ignore them.  This wears out his zeal (vs 139) especially when it's his enemies ignoring Your words.

He goes on to related that he had "thoroughly tested" Your promises, and that he love them.  How frustrating this must have been, Father!  He love You and Your words, and wanted others to have that same level, or more, of passion.

He was one to also talk about them and tell others of them, likely verbally, but as we can see, written as well.  Why don't the listeners and readers, "get it"!? To have such unrequited zeal wore him out.

Even in mundane ordinary things as teaching English, History or Math, for instance, a teacher's zeal can wear , tear, and fritter down to "lukewarm" status.  Is there a cure, treatment or vaccine?  Father, I ask it seriously.

"Trouble and distress come over us, Father"

but we are directed to Your commands, which the psalmist penned, "gave him delight".  Is this then our treatment plan?

Open our hearts and minds to Your Word, will, ways and to You, Yourself; turn us ever back to them and You.  May we bask in them and in Your presence to renew our souls, spirits and minds, and our flagging flesh.  When our flesh is weak and weary, may we turn to You, be renewed to "soaring status" as the eagles and be flooded once again, wearing zeal for Your promises which endure forever.  May we then worship only at the feet of Your Son, Jesus and go out serving You and Your people wearing a garment of zeal so we do not make You sick.

I ask in the powerful Name of Jesus, thanking Him that He never wore out His zeal to do Your mission on behalf of mankind.  Thank-You, Father.  Thank-You, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer.

                                                     ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm 119:137-144 (Tsadhe)

Sing Jesus Messiah, as sung by the Gaither Vocal Band

Prayer - Streams of Tears Flow

 

If you loved something or someone and then you see it/them desecrated, how do you feel?  Wild emotions run the gambit of incredulity; stunned; tears; anger; outbursts and exclamations of, "How could they do that or say such a thing?"

By now, since reaching Psalm 119:129-136, we've got the message that the psalmist loves every jot and tittle of God's Word:  His commands; laws, precepts, decrees, and statutes, from the inside, out.  He could memorize and recite them, and most importantly, obey them.

He said they were "wonderful" and "give light".  They also "give understanding to the simple," and "direct his footsteps;" to name a few of the beneficial effects.  He governed his life by God's Word.  Therefore, we can understand and empathize with his "streams of tears" when he observed that God's law was not obeyed by others.  Do you ever feel like that?  

There are folks governing themselves by "their rights" instead of God's Way and will.  Do we have righteous tears flowing from our eyes because of it?   It could be tears flowing because of injustices to vulnerable poor who do try to help themselves yet flounder due to exploitation; or to racial and/or religious discrimination?  Do our tears flow because of abortion?  Do they flow due o sexual immorality?  To hypocrisy?  To false doctrine?  To the maligning of God's Word?  To God's Name taken in vain?  You likely can add to that and the list could go on.

Heavenly Father, "direct our footsteps according to Your Word".  Convict us through Your Word and Holy Spirit when tempted to veer off Your path of righteousness, so that "no sin will rule over us" (v.135).

"Redeem us from all that human oppression"

of those living very much to the opposite of Your laws; from peer pressure or boss pressure or colleagues pressure to go against Your ways.  May the tears flow from our eyes when we or others do not obey Your law.

Have mercy on us and bring us back to You, especially those of us who love Your Name and the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ.

Bring Your light into our hearts and minds that Your word gives; give us the understanding of them through Your Holy Spirit and give us that love for Your commands as Your psalmist servant had.  He even opened his mouth and panted (like a dog parched for water), in longing for them.  Give us such zeal Father.  Zeal to love Your Name giving impetus to love Your word and walk according to them.  

In turn, so that "no sin will rule over us".

"Remove and heal any spiritual blindness, so that those of us who belong to You, Father, through Jesus, will be sensitive to Your will and ways, so that we will understand and seek Your will from Your living Word and see things from Your heavenly perspective.  may tears truly flow from our eyes when we see Your law is not obeyed."*

Then Father, make Your face shine upon us and be gracious unto us.

In Jesus' precious Name I ask.

                                                    ~ERC  September 2020~

Based on Psalm 119:129-136 (Pe) NIV

* A paraphrase of a prayer from The 40 Day Fast and Prayer booklet 2020; NECF; Day 38; 13 Sept 2020; page 60.

Sing, O Lord We Seek Your Face, along with Worship Central

Good Book - The Chinese Pakua

 

Fascinating Book...this book, The Chinese Pakua by author Ong Hean-Tatt is a secular book but it is truly fascinating to me.  Maybe you all have some knowledge of this already but my curiosity got the better of me at the library when I stumbled upon this volume.  I have renewed it seven times as it takes time to digest (slow-ish learner here for this).  It is another of those books that are a bit over my head but there are nuggets that are down to the common citizen’s level of understanding.

 The Pakua is that little green turtle-like looking symbol with the yin and yang swirl in the center, as seen pictured on the front of the book.  It is an amazing thing and historians have been able to dig up so much history from it, and Ong says that it stems all the way back to Adamic times!  (Adam and Eve, Adam, that is).

 Something, non-Chinese, about it, is that, a fellow named Leibnitz, a genius in mathematics, was shown this Pakua by a Jesuit priest in China, and noted all the binary notation for the numbers 1-63 on it and revolutionized mathematics forever, apparently.  Sorry students...Another very interesting thing is that this system is the “basis of all computer languages”.  Isn’t that interesting?

 Anyway, turtles were involved in the thinking up of this Pakua, by some emperor or other.  Shang -Di (God, the Supreme Ruler of Heaven, was worshiped throughout the Chinese history, except not so much during the Eastern Zhou time where many deities sprang up and folks began to worship their ancestors due to political and financial gain purposes and then this Pakua was in the middle of it all.  There was also the false Kitchen God which was invented by a Taoist priest but the priest was later executed for tricking the Emperor of the time.  However, the worship of this god continues to this day.

 About 500 BC things reverted back to more Shang-Di worship but also the worship of Heaven (ok, and Buddhism and Taoism got into the mix too.)  With all the syncretism of that mix and match of philosophy and religion, it’s difficult to pinpoint just exactly all that the Chinese beliefs encompass.

 There are about 3 pages’ worth of a list of all those main deities that are worshiped and how they got started.  Some were once real people; for example, Fu-Hsi is Adam, canonized.  Shen-Nung is Noah, canonized, and so on.

 Then there are the Four Heraldic Animals of the Pakua  (Red Phoenix, White Tiger, Black Snake and the Azure Dragon) that are supposed to be angels with the center of these being Shang-Di.  Alternate beings; names:  Mo-Li-Hung (Gabriel), Mo-Li-Hai (Michael), Mo-Li-Shou (Lucifer) and Mo-Li-Ch’ing (Azure Dragon, Green Dragon, Brahma four-faced Cherubim of Ezekiel).  You may have heard of some of them.

 Much of these things show up in the Hebrew-Kabalic legends and ancient history as well.  Some of the History of both the Hebrews and the Chinese parallel amazingly.  God did not leave other cultures and people groups alone even though He especially chose the Hebrews as His Chosen people so long ago.

 It is also of note, that many other cultures have similar legends and symbols:  Egyptian, Indian, and etc.  You will have to find out for yourselves.

 I could go on and on but this is already more than a short book report, I’m telling you the story.  If you are as curious as I have been, find a copy and delve in.  

 I haven’t quite finished; there are 264 pages and I’m on page 187, so a ways to go, and I don’t know how many more library trips to renew…but I have been dying to share this book with you all.

 Ong is a Malaysian and this book was printed in Malaysia (Pelanduk Publications).  As far as I can tell, the man is not a Christian, although he certainly could have become one by his knowledge and understanding of the early Scriptures and also of the gospel of Jesus and how all of the above dovetails into the Chinese Pakua.  I seem to ascertain that the author is a devout Taoist.  I assume he is still alive so maybe we can say a prayer or two for him that he will see the light of Christ and make Jesus his Savior and Lord.  Then Shang-Di, can truly be his God and Father.

 

    ~ERC  September 2020~

Good Book - Harriet Tubman Freedombound

 

The run for freedom was marked with danger on every side:  masters with dogs on the chase after them; alligators; water moccasins (snakes); and people who would love the reward money for squealing on them and giving up their hiding places.  Harriet Tubman, a "Hero of History" won her freedom from the brutality of abusive slavery, on the "Underground Railroad".  

She was an amazingly courageous woman.  She eventually became a conductor on that railroad and helped others of her fellow slaves successfully make that same run for freedom.  Once, conducting even at "gun point" to get some terrified "passenger" to co-operate and overcome their fear of recapture and compelling them to fight for their own immediate liberty.  Praise be, she even managed to smuggle her own siblings and parents to the safety of Canada's borders.

This particular biography of Harriet Tubman, is called Harriet Tubman Freedombound and is written by Janet & Geoff Benge.  It is aimed at children, around the 8-13, or so, age group range but adults can still be enthralled by her adventures.  I am.

Although her main mission and "call" was slave rescue, at one point she advised generals during the American Civil War and directed the improvement of conditions in war hospitals among other duties.

Harriet believed that "slavery is the next thing to hell" (page141).  She fought hard and long for such liberty therefrom.

In light of the ongoing struggle for those of other ethnic backgrounds, even today, with all the demonstrations as can be seen in the news and being carried out in various places around the world, but mainly in the USA, I bring this book to light.  Do read of this plight especially if you have not known about it or want to "feel" it.  Then know the revelation of greater empathy for these people who still, often, are living in fear of unjust reprisal due to the color of their skin even from "good living" next door neighbors. 

                                                      ~ERC  October 2020~

ISBN 1-883002-90-7

Copyright 2002

Published by Emerald Books

Ravages of Pretense

 

The questions had been flying through the air, targeted at Jesus, trying to shame and discredit Him to the throngs of ordinary people.  These people had great esteem for Jesus and hung on to His words as if they were their very life.

The increasingly frustrated, annoyed and even jealous, religious leaders tried and tried again to bring Jesus down.  This time they employed an indirect "attack" and sent "spies", bribed and primed with a specific double-edged question. 

This question was designed to either cut Him down to miniscule size in the eyes of the crowds and/or to make the Romans, under whose rule the Jewish people were captive, suspicious of sedition and rebellion.

So was Jesus loyalty to Caesar, the Roman Emperor, or to God.  We know that, from the earlier part of Luke 20, that Jesus effectively rebuffed and refuted both sides of the equation by His wise, masterful rebuttal.  He informed the devious inquirers, 

"Give what belongs to Caesar, to Caesar; and what belongs to God, to God" (vs 25).

That silenced them.  The Sadducees then had a go at Jesus, in regards to resurrection.  As you may remember, the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection or an after earth life, so their question was more a mockery than sincere.

They made up such a far-fetched story to lend superciliousness to their arrogant demeanor.  They said a woman had married seven brothers in succession after each previous one had died, leaving them each childless.  In the end the widow passed on was well.  They asked whose wife she would be in the resurrection since all had had her to wife.

Jesus answer, again refuted their brazen pomp. He told them that they were mistaken about the afterlife.  You see, there is no marriage, nor dying in the resurrected state; just as the angels are even now.  Some of those listeners declared Jesus a "Good Teacher" but we do not read of any of their lives being changed to a more genuine, from-the-heart, allegiance to Jesus nor to God.

As noted in the blog entry, Questions, Questions and More Questions...

If only they had instead, shown some positive change acknowledging  Jesus and who He was (and still is).  If only they had been obedient and sought out understanding of the Law of God, as written by Moses that they purportedly treasured, they would have been on the right track to obeying and believing in Jesus and that He was their Messiah.  They would not have made excuses for not realizing and/or admitting who Jesus was but instead, accepted Him as their Messiah.  They would not have continued to plot Jesus' arrest and death.

After that we learned about Jesus comparing Himself to a cornerstone.  In those ancient times, a cornerstone, well-placed, was used to align the walls of a building.  The cornerstone itself had to be more or less perfect in shape in order to proceed with the construction of the structure so as to be sound and withstand the elements and wear and tear.

The cornerstone could be rejected.  We know that the Jewish religious leaders, for the most part, rejected Jesus.  The analogy did not miss its mark in the minds of those men.  Although they were silenced and dared not ask further questions, they had not stopped trying to trick or trap Him in order to arrest Him and/or demean Him in the eyes of the general Jewish populace.

Jesus words of wisdom as seen in His most ingenious replies is amazing to us  However, we too can ask Him for such wisdom.  He may give it directly through the Holy Spirit and/or from our reading, meditating upon and obeying God's Word.  Jesus' answers of wisdom silenced His interrogators.  He then asks them a question that is difficult to understand but let's take a look....

Do read about it in Luke 20:40-44.

If Jesus was only just David's descendant, how could he refer to Jesus as "Lord"?  Isn't "Lord" reserved for those older - much older - than one's self?

Jesus was not "just a descendant".  No.  He was far greater; therefore, David called Him "LORD".

"The Lord said to my Lord..." (Luke 20:42).

This, by the way, is a quotation from Psalm 119:1, penned by David, about twenty-four generations earlier.  In addition to that, it is to be discovered, that the word, "Lord" has two connotations in the Hebrew language.  Both are applied here (www.gotquestions.org).   The first "Lord" refers to Eternal God of the universe - the Great I AM, omnipotent God and Creator, whereas the second "Lord" refers to Messiah, the Christ or Son of David (this term again).  According to the promise God gave to King David to have an heir forever on the throne (no change of dynasty), Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise.

As we all know, Jesus is Eternal.

The Messiah (Lord) sits at God's right hand, triumphing over His enemies; in fact, using them as His footstool!

Thus David, speaking of the Messiah, was speaking prophecy.  The Pharisees agree that it was the Messiah being referred to (but obviously NOT that Jesus was/is the Messiah) and so Jesus uses this to impact His meaning in their minds.  Would any of them, "get it"?

Jesus' question about the "Son of David" title being reference to the Messiah, yet David (a great king and ancestor) calls the Messiah "Lord," then Messiah must be greater than "just a son" of David.

Do you follow?

If David could speak to "the Lord Messiah, then He must have been alive at David's time and greater than David especially as seen in his referring to Him as "Lord".

How the gears of the minds of those Pharisees must have whirled, sadly to little positive consequence.  They only sought to arrest and have this wonderful, almighty God and Lord, whom Jesus was insinuating was greater than just a human descendant of David, killed.

This prophecy of David must have been guided by the Holy Spirit to write exactly what He did.  It was just as God had wanted Him to pen it, and so it was (reference:  www.gotquestions.org).

Next we read about Jesus warning His disciples about the Teachers of the Law.  I like these little asides Jesus often imparts to them, even in the midst of the throngs flocking about them.  Indirectly, the word would get out to them too but Jesus expressly teaches His disciples who would one day, believe it or not, become the apostles (minus Judas Iscariot).

Look at the description -- quite the CV!  They better not apply for any job!  The list enumerates:  "walk around in long robes in market places, especially to be greeted and respected there (yes, being greeted thus, and with a title, really feels good -- no doubt); chose the important seats in the Temple (those reserved seats were right up there in the front near the sacred scrolls where all eyes would be focused); they loved the best places at the feasts right near the host, again where all eyes could see them; they took advantage of/devoured widow's houses (even though the law of Moses forbade being paid for their teaching of the law, they could still accept gifts.  They encouraged widows, who could ill-afford such gifts, to give more than they actually were able.  These widow were already among the poorest of the poor.  If the teachers of the law had been practicing it accordingly, they would have helped them, not devoured their houses); and they prayed looooonnnng prayers - not from the heart but for show to give the impression they were very devout and religious.

In summary of all that, the Teachers of the Law failed to interpret Scriptures correctly (refer to the example of the widows) and to respond to them correctly.  They were full of pride, making outward show of piety (the quality of being religious or reverent - showing true reverence for God and devout fulfillment of religious obligations).  They took advantage of vulnerable widows and robbed them of their homes.

The pretense of piety was vulgar and for external show.  Such people, Jesus remarked, would have greater punishment (Luke 20:45-47 NIV).  These are the reasons Jesus gave warning to His disciples against the Teachers of the Law.

This is called a "hypocrite".  Here's a definition thereof, which I found in a meme, online,

"Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a lie" (author unknown)

They taught the Scriptures which they would have known thoroughly.  They practiced outwardly but it was not from the heart.

What about us?  When we compare our lives with that of those Teachers of the law, how do we measure up against them?  We must always examine our own hearts and not point fingers at others, for as surely as we point a finger at others, there are three fingers pointing back at ourselves.

I've been reading through the Anne of Green Gables series of books, and in some of the incidents there is rampant, hurtful gossiping going on.  In some ways it was humorous, it being a work of fiction by L. M. Montgomery; yet her work reflects human nature rather accurately, thus all the more unkind.  Some of the characters made a show of piety but had tongues that wagged mercilessly against the defenseless.  Often, in the story, the character would get their comeuppance so it was "happily ever after".   In real life, that mostly does not happen and a person must endure the brunt of such actions.

So we must look at our OWN hearts and minds and measure them up against God's Word and make our talk and walk, jive.  Ask questions such as follows to avoid and minimise living a life of pretense.

Is our Christian life of prayer and praise, sincere?  Do we live a life of compromise?  Have we been obligated to be a leader in these things because no one else will lead, yet we don't really do so from gratitude and thanksgiving for all Jesus has done for us?  Do we do it for show because we like being in the limelight and love the attention?  OR, does it truly flow from our hearts alight and brimming with true worship and thankfulness?

What do you think God, our Heavenly Father, may be saying to you?  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas that need attention. This is not to condemn yourself but to transform to be more Christ-like and imbue the fruit of the spirit in all godliness and honesty.

Look at this,  it says it all...

We are all still in the process and progress of transformation and changes need to be made.  Thank God for His Word and the Holy Spirit.  We can say this, which I love...

Pause.

We can ASK the Lord God to do that and help us live a humble, honest life as we transform to become more like Christ and build relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Messiah, Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, belong to Him, we are therefore, children of God and he will not set us adrift to fend for ourselves.  The ravages of pretense will not be able to hold sway in our life when we submit our forthright hearts to Him.

May God our Heavenly Father bless our lives as we live to please Him daily.  May we all hunger and thirst after God.

                                                       ~ERC  September 2020~

Reference:

SPM The GOSPEL According to Luke - A Study Gide to Bible Knowledge; Issachar Sdn Bhd; copyright 2005.

www.gotquestions.org

Based on: Luke 20:41-44 and 45-47

Part 4 video

Prayer - Refreshing Brook

 

Father, thank-You so much for times of refreshing we can have through the ups and downs and battles of life.  You said in Psalm 110,

"You drink from a brook beside the way; therefore he will lift up his head high" (vs 7 NIV).

In these times of refreshing, even though we have enemies and difficulties in life, may You rule!  Make those enemies Your footstool and be our Deliverer in times of strife and trouble. Refresh and restore our souls, Father.

We know You will never change Your mind and You will be our Priest and King forever.

You are at our right hand ready to aid us at any time; the right hand of strength, honor and glory.  We give You praise again for those times of refreshing as we spend time with You, meditating upon and considering Your Word.   Considering how You lead and guide us through.  You lift us up and make our feet stand in high places where we can hold our heads high, not with pride but with Your dignity, above it all.  We, Your children, Your sons and daughters.

I praise and thank-You, asking this request to fight valiantly for us in all our trials and troubles.  We know You do and therefore give You thanks.  May we all desire more of You and match that with our actions to come humbly into Your presence and learn from You.  We are confident of Your teaching wrapped in love.

When You do this for us it's like a wondrously cool, drink from a clear, pure brook on a very hot day.  

Satisfying.  

Refreshing!

Father, in Jesus' Name we give you thanks.

                                                    ~ERC  June 2020~

Based on Psalm 110, especial focus on verse 7

Sing, Times of Refreshing, with Marty Nystrom

Sing, When Trials Come with Keith & Kristyn Getty

Good Book - Silent Grief

 

She exited the door of the hospital and stepped outside; she then slipped into the car, numb with the deep grief of fresh child loss.  It was the emptiest her arms had ever felt....

"When a mother leaves the maternity ward," she murmured to herself, "she should be euphorically cradling a precious bundle of joy." 

"I'm not", she reflected heartbrokenly.

Very few had even known she was expecting.  Now this.  She and her husband would have to grieve in silence.  All her husband's and her hopes of lovingly parenting this child, dashed.

All the above is a condensed composite of what some may feel due to miscarriage or other types of child loss.  Sometimes, when other folks do know of the miscarriage or stillbirth they might say to the raw-with-bereavement, parents, innocently enough, "Never mind, you can try again."

Small comfort.  Very small comfort.  In fact, it's hurtful.  It's as if that one life didn't matter - life is cheap, there's more where that came from...

Or maybe, the friends and family just don't understand the sudden melancholy of the couple because they didn't know the cause.

This is the issue that Clara Hinton discusses in her book, Silent Grief.  She herself (and her husband), experienced such grief, so she knows the range of emotions:  deep sorrow, anger, bewilderment, etc. that threaten to overwhelm fathers and mothers, the world over, who have endured their loss (es), very often, in silence.

Like, "out of sight, out of mind".  Others might think, "aren't they over that, yet?!"  It (not, he or she) was not even a full-term-live and wriggly-in-your-arms baby.  What's the deal?"

Or, it may come across that the couple feels folks just don't care and so the grief goes further inward and silent.  On the contrary, Hinton says, folks do care but because they may never have experienced child loss, they just don't understand and are not sure how to comfort.

Hinton does reveal some ways for parents to cope and sheds light that the "sun will shine again despite the loss" and that grief may lessen despite never quite going away.

The author also addresses parents who have incidences of missing children and adult children who have "succumbed to accidents or illness".  One of her examples is of King David's baby by Bathsheba, who died.  She also interviews many men and women who have shed buckets of silent grief-tears in the inner sanctums of their homes.

What prompts me to share this particular book?  A few days ago, my husband was watching the news, and I just so happened to  catch a snatch of it which caught my attention.  The news announcer spoke of some supermodel celebrity (can't recall which one) who'd recently had a miscarriage and wanted to share her story, virally.  This, in the hopes of it helping others work through and overcome their grief, together; something that is not normally done, publicly but is repressed, often unhealthily, in private.  

All the hopes, dreams and preparations in expectancy of a newborn, suddenly brought to a standstill; jolted and jerked, to a final stop.  All the hopes and dreams for even a child who has now gone missing or died "too young"; all stopped.  The the awful silence, unbearable.

The celebrity couple's trial reminded me of this book I'd read ever so long ago.  I hope and pray that any one of you, my readers, in similar circumstance, will realize that you are not alone.  That just maybe, you will be able to learn how to move from one day to the next with some relief and light to help you live on and give ways to enable your family and friends to understand you even a little bit.

Maybe also, friends and family could read this book and gain some insight as to why their friend or family member, who experienced her/his loss, is still grieving and is, perhaps, still, exhibiting "not normal" behavior.  There is no time limit.

Well, shall leave that with you.  Do try to find a copy of Silent Grief; read and gain comfort, gain understanding; gain empathy.

Heavenly Father, comfort one and all who have had the trauma of child loss in their lives. Comfort their aching hearts and empty arms.  Father, bring the missing children home, alive.  You weep with us because You love us and care about what happens to us. Bless and keep each one.  In Jesus Name I ask.

Here're some Bible verses that may make a connection to your feelings:

Psalm10:1 (NIV)

"Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

Psalm 5:1, 2, 11, 12 (NIV)

"Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament.  Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray...spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  Surely LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

May our Heavenly Father bring solace to you with His words.

                                                          ~ERC  October 2020~