Go, Therefore ...

 

It had been a pretty euphoric, tragic and triumphant week.  That passion week from Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter Sunday.  It unfolded as Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, being arrested and nailed to a cross, dying for mankind's sins' punishment, being buried and on the third day, His resurrection from the dead.

"He is alive!" we exclaimed.

"He is risen, indeed" we continued.

And then this morning I opened my You Version Bible app and the verse of the day struck me in the face.  It shouted out,

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and fo the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19 ESV).

Wham!

Did you feel it?

We had all that "passion" and now we have this commission - this "Great Commission". 

Jesus did all that for us.  This is what we can now, as His followers, do for Him.

Go, therefore ....

                                                ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 28:19 ESV.

Sing, Lord, You Give the Great Commissison, along with Catholic Christian Hymn/Lyrics.

Grab the Opportunity (Acts 28)

 Paul preached unashamedly and with boldness as if it were his last day on earth (vs 31).  He did so for two whole years' worth, at which time he was actually under house arrest in Rome.

He was hospitable, he still had an audience and he capitalized on each moment.  He shared the gospel of Jesus and His message of love and forgiveness and salvation to all who came to him.

He did not let anything hold him back.  The Scripture says he spoke ...

" ... without hindrance."

We know from some of Paul's letter writing that he did have some physical limitations.  We are not told what else could have been 'a hindrance,' except for the fact he did not have his full freedom.  Whatever, he did not allow himself excuses due to what could have been allowed him.  He was an overcomer.

He is a model example to us.  Let's have the courage to share Jesus as we can, as the opportunities present themselves.

Perhaps at times we can be intentional.  I know of a young sister who created such an opportunity on her birthday.  She invited her Bible study and care group and some pre-believers to her home for an arts and crafts afternoon.  She provided some snacks and they had a wonderful time together. 

As yet, I haven't heard if there was actual spoken testimony but we will leave the results up to the Lord.  Knowing her,  she will not allow an opening to slip through her fingers. 

Whatever comes our way, and whenever it does, let's determine to speak up for the Lord, bringing in the sheaves.

                                                     ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 28 ESV.

Sing, Wonderful Words of Life, along with Joslin Grove Choral Society.

Chinese Grave Site

 Looking up from our departed loved ones' graves, we could see many others.  Some needing some repair and facelift showed how long someone had been 'gone.'

It reminded me, since it is Easter time, well, a couple weeks past now, that Jesus is the resurrection and the Life.  He told Martha and Mary,

"I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this" (John 11:25-26 ESV)?

And then Jesus raised their brother Lazarus from the dead.

We too can look forward to being resurrected.  After all, Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave.  Those of us who believe in Jesus have this confidence, this assurance.

Whether we are in the grave or still living we have this sure hope;

" ... And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV).

Praise the Lord, we can look forward to this.  And because He lives we can face tomorrow, whatever it brings.

Let's keep looking up to Him.

                                              ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on John 11:25-27 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV.

Sing, Up From the Grave He Arose, along with Emmanuel Church Eastleigh.

Lord's Day Devotion - Highly Exalted

 

"But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head"        (Psalm 3:3 ESV).

If you observe this verse in the context of the first five verses of this Psalm you'll likely feel how comforting these words are.  The LORD was a shield - a protection - for King David in the midst of a deep betrayal.  

He didn't need to be sitting on his throne in all its authority and glory because he claimed the LORD as his glory.  The LORD was the one to exalt him even in his time of humiliation.  He cried out to the Lord and was answered.  In this confidence he could

 "lay down and sleep ..." (v. 5).

When others have stolen our thunder and deeply put us to shame in front of 'our world' we can claim our Lord's protection and glory too.  It's in Him we can trust.  

When we reflect on what Jesus Himself went through at the hands of human beings, the very ones He had come to save, He too cried out to His heavenly Father God.  Yes, He went through it all, even the death on the cross where He had been "lifted up" in another way.  Yet in the end we are told God highly exalted Him.

"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name ..."

What's more, "every knee" will one day or another bow to Him, our exalted King of glory.  Praise Jesus, the One who died for me, the One who died for you, and the One who died for "the whosoever" (see John 3:16).

This Lord's Day, let's remember our Jesus' death and resurrection from the dead, by partaking of the broken bread and drinking from the cup of wine in remembrance of all He has done for us and give Him the glory and honor due His name.

He is now our shield, glory and lifter of our heads despite any terrifying and humiliating situation we may be enduring.  May we each have David's level of confidence in our Lord and even be able to lay down and sleep because He is sustaining us (see Psalm 3:5 ESV).

Father God, thank You for Jesus and for the shield He created for us.  We especially give thanks for the salvation He provided for us through His death and resurrection.  We bow our knees to Jesus' our exalted King of kings.  He is Lord of all.  In Him we put our trust, as He shields us, protecting us from our enemies who shame and put us down and who perhaps, even seek to extinguish our life.  In Him we have everlasting life.  To You be the glory.  In Jesus' name we give our thanks and praise.  Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 3:3 ESV.

Sing, To God Be the Glory, along with The Worship Initiative.

Right - ness Ignored (Acts 27 ESV)

 It is so very frustrating not to be listened too, especially if you know you are right.  The other party believes they are right too, but time shows the consequences of who was right.

And in these consequences there are those who are greatly affected, even put into danger because the one in the position of power and authority did not listen to the ones who were actually correct in their assessment.

Instead, the 'right' one was treated as if they were of no account and how could they actually have rightfully assessed a stiuation!?  They are nothing and their opinion is of no consequence and thus cast aside.

This happened to Paul the prisoner as he was sailed towards Italy to stand trial before Caesar.  Paul had gotten his 'right' answer from the Lord.  But the ship's captain and the voyage powers-that-be, did not heed Paul's words.

They were the men of the sea, how could landlubber Paul know the nuances of sailing and weather conditions!  Paul had given his warning but he had not been listened to.

Can you picture Paul sighing and thinking -

 "I'm going to be shipwrecked - again!" 

Sigh ...

He sat and rode out the wave of consequences of the bad decision of others.  This affected 276 persons.  But Paul was attuned to the Lord's guidance and he was able to bring encouragement to all aboard.  They would face the dangers of the deep but ...

" ... not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you" (vs 34 ESV)

he told the passengers.

So they were shipwrecked, jumped overboard, swam, rested on broken off planks or other pieces of ship ...

"and so it was that all were brought safely to land" (vs 44).

God in His mercy  had rescued a whole shipload of passengers despite the folly and pride of "educated" mankind.  He kept Paul alive in order to bring him before the top man of the Roman Empire!

Would you like to be as fine tuned into Holy Sprit's guidance as Paul was?  Even if we are, not everyone will listen to the wisdom given us.  It can be frustrating but our times are in our Lord's hands and He'll bring us safely to shore despite those who do not listen to what's 'right'.

The losses incurred along the way may well be devastating but the responsibility and blame is not on our shoulders if we'd spoken up.  We have at least done our part with the knowledge we'd been given.

We may still have a chance, like Paul did to encourage others in the mess with you.  It's a saving grace.

May our Lord bless you all who do listen to the Holy Spirit and work out how to use the knowledge and wisdom given.  By God's grace we can ride the storms of life - the manmade ones as well as what comes upon us naturally.  Let's have submissive, humble hearts that will listen to Holy Spirit's wisdom.

May God bless each of us.

                                                        ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 27 ESV.

Sing, Be Still, along with Hillsong, and Holy Spirit, I am Listening, along with Still Waters Bible Reflections.

Good Book - Creative Ministry - By Henri J. M. Nouwen

 There is a quotation from this book which reads,

"A preacher is a man who is willing to give his life for his people" (pg 40).

And then almost in the last pages of conclusion, Henri J. M. Nouwen, the author, writes,

"Radical commitment is to lay down one's life in service of others" (pg 114)..

So what happens when we lose steam and begin to burn out?  Creative Ministry takes a serious look at how a believer, a pastor, minister or even a priest, can be as constant as possible with the Lord's help and with the whole general community of believers.

Nouwen touches on "Beyond Transference of Knowledge" (preaching and teaching); "Beyond Retelling the Story," including problems of folks willing to accept the message vs the messenger - not all listeners will be won over.  There had been little repoire and relationship built up.

To continue, "Beyond Skillful Response" - touching on actual pastoral care, how we see ourselves in order to more effectively be useful to others.  

"Forget self and be more interested in others" 

sort of thing.  Building relationship bridges.  Something akin to JOY; that is,

"Jesus first,

 Others next,

 Yourself last."

Then there's "Beyond Manipulation of Structures."  The preacher makes himself 'visible' to those he serves.  He shares himself instead of strictly staying behind the pulpit with decorum, hiding his real self - no, he get's 'real', sharing his own struggles, life experiences and what was learned through it all.  It's not all about skills and techniques learned but by contemplation and of what had been learned through a correlation of all life's experiences.

Last but not least, is "Beyond the Protective Ritual."  This is a celebration of all that comes at us in life, be it life or death, so to speak.  When we lose our life from self we find life.  Become more available to each other, which involves obedience to God and other people and so on.

A very brief summary and a lot left out ... you gotta read it for yourselves.  Ha, ha.

This book may have been published back in the early 1990's but I've found it a very thoughtful treatise on the spiritual journey for any believer who is in a pastoral position, whether one is 'officially' a pastor, teacher of the Word or  is a lay person.  Vibrant spiritual life will no doubt bring health to the bones and the mind and emotions, as the symbiotic relationship between the professional training as it meets the spiritual in any God-given ministry.  To God be the glory.

                                                     ~ ERC  April 2026 ~

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the copyrighted paperback version I read which was published by This Image Books in September 1991.

Additionally, there is a newer looking version of this book with a cover that looks like this ....

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - The Lumber Baron's Wife - by Lynn Austin - Publication Date: 14 April 2026

 

I declare this to be a most wonderful, clean work of historical fiction.  It is about the fifith or sixth Lynn Austin novel I've ever read and I'd say her work just keeps getting better and better.

In this narrative there are two time frames.  One is from back in the 1880's while the 'current' one, is well, now.  The setting is in a small logging town in Michigan.  The story describes those logging times, the wealth and danger and what turned out to be a conservationist's worse nightmare.  It also speaks of the care and concern embodied in Dr. John Wagner and his wife Hannah, along with her most unusual friend Kate Abernathy, the lumber baron's wife.  There is added mystery when Kate inexplicably disappears.

In the 'current' time a reader will find David and Ashley, along with other townsfolk and the intrepid Frieda, the 'doll' instigator of restoration of the 150 year old mansion.  Readers are led through the restoration process in a most interesting way with the excitement and satisfaciton of purpose fulfilled.

Austin also tackles the ups and downs of married life, of pro-choice vs pro-life issues; belief in Jesus and trust in God, child loss, physical abuse and the horrendous treatment of women in those days endured.

Overall, I found this story to be quite a comprehensive work but also very down to earth.  There were tears as well as laughter.  My interest was held throughout the pages until the very end.  I have been totally satisfied with this narrative and was sorry to have to say 'good-bye' to all those believable characters.  I will savor this story for some time to come.

Definitely, I give this a 5-Star rating!

                                           ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                          October 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Sharper Sword (Acts 26 ESV

 

As Paul stood before Festus, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, he gave his defense.  He was confident King Agrippa would understand.  And he did.

It came a bit too close for comfort for him, so he asked Paul,

 " ... in such a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

"Well, yeah, that's kind of the point ...." 

Paul had effective defense.  In the end King Agrippa tells Festus in a private conversation that Paul was innocent and could have been freed if he hadn't appealed to Caesar (vs 32 ESV).

Again and again showed that Paul paid attention to whom he was speaking.  He then tailored his messages accordingly.  Most often the message hit its mark.

When we pay attention, I mean, really pay attention, to our audience, whether it's a room full of hearers or an audience of one, we will be better able to ascertain a more customized - as it were - message.

Yes, all need to hear the gospel but if we know the audience, the general beliefs of it, society of the time's norms for example, or what an individual has experienced and/or is going through at the time, we can be pro-actively intuitive, respond in kind measure, bringing the message of Jesus more accurately and relevantly to the audience.  The Holy Spirit aiding us.

In many ways this is basic pastoral care at its most effective conduit.  It is a skill that can be developed, as one studies God's word, for sure, but who also has knowledge and awareness of the current culture, and beliefs of those with whom one wishes to converse.

The Word of God is,

"...living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

We may not know all that is in the heart of man but God does.  However, I think that when we keep our "sword" as sharp as possible and use God's Word aright, the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts and minds of the hearers, as it did to both governor Festus and King Agrippa.

We are not told if these men ever came to Christ, but they did hear the gospel message.  There would more than likely have been many others in these rooms too: the guards, other dignitaries, servants and so on.  These too heard this messsage of Jesus.  We can never under-estimate the audiences' reach whether intentioned or unintentioned, God has His way of working so all may hear.  

Will you be His mouthpiece?

                                                 ~ ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 26 ESV.

Sing, God's Word is Like a Hammer (The Book of Books) along with Andrew Remillard).

Standing Before Kings (Acts 25 ESV)

 

To stand before kings and queens as a dream come true, could be a dangerous dream in that reality.  There would be very little romance in it, generally speaking, I feel.  Being on ones' best behavior may not be enough.

Even though the Apostle Paul was told he'd stand before royalty, it was not necessarily something to be desired.  Yet Paul could stand his ground fearlessly and respectfully. He even appealed to Caesar!  It was his Roman citizenship right.  Such appeals appears to have been irrevokable too.

Festus said,

 "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go" (Acts 25:13 ESV).

This was Paul's appeal after a two year hiatus "in the barricks."  Maybe he was frustrated and a bit impatient with the system that kept him bound, only due to false accusations and Festus' wanting to keep in the good books of the Jewish leaders.

To some extent, Paul's appeal feels like he was overworking the wise-serpent- innocent dove ace card.  Yet the Lord uses our will to complete His will, or to tell Him whether we accept or reject His.

Seems a serious matter.  We do well to think and act wisely.  Make much prayer and many requests of the Lord, and be still to discern what He wants for us.  What course of action do you really want?

In the meantime, Festus toys with Paul.  He is in an expansive mood, wishing to show the visiting royalty, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, a good time.

So you'll see in the next chapter of Acts how that played out.

For us now, if we imagine ourselves in such a position, kneeling before royalty and other men and women of authority, what would our 'speech' be like?  What would our defense be?

May  we be ready to give answer and to listen for Holy Spirit guidance at such a time as that.  May we be fearless and respectful and give God the glory.  

So help us, God.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 25 ESV.

Sing,  Before the Throne of God Above, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Dry Dock Opportunity (Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV)

 

Paul continues his wise serpent-innocent dove defence.  As he unravels his thoughts, they unfold as a witness to those in Roman authority positions, of the grace of God and the message of Jesus.

He doesn't miss or waste an opportunity.  He never knew how long he had to do so, so he made good use of his time even though he did not have his freedom to travel about on missionary journeys as he formerly had done.  You might say that Paul was in 'dry dock'.  That didn't faze him, he spoke to the audience the Lord had provided for him despite his confined circumstances.

As he spoke of the

" resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (vs 15);

 of 

"righteousnesss, of self-control and the coming judgment" (v 25),

 the listeners, especially Felix the governor, were affected.  Felix became downright uncomfortable and alarmed.

Felix told Paul he'd summon him again at some other opportune time.

As followers of Jesus Christ, even in our day and age, we can seek similar opportunities even if and when we are isolated to small patches of Earth.  I believe we can ask the Lord to present us with them and to give us the words and wisdom to use them, no matter how high and dry we may feel we are.

Father God, lead and guide us, overlay opportunities to speak for You with courage, and wisdom and words, for Your glory and honor.  Even when we are in confined situations, so be it.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV.

Sing, Go Tell It On the Mountain, along with  Gaither Music.

Lord's Day Devotion - This Do (Acts 20)

 

As a matter of course, they were gathered together on the first day of the week.  Some call this day 'Sunday' while others prefer, "The Lord's Day."

And on this Lord's Day, after the believers 

"had broken bread and eaten," 

Paul

 "conversed with them a long while, until day break, and so departed" (vs 11).

Whether this "breaking of bread" together was just a regular meal together, or they were partaking in "Holy Communion," as some like to call it, it is somewhat ambiguous.  However, I like to think they were remembering what Jesus had done for them, fulfilling yet again, one of Jesus' requests to the disciples that night in the upper room before He had been betrayed.

"Do this in remembrance of Me"

 Jesus had asked to them (Luke 22:19 ESV).

The bread represented His body, 

"which is given for you" 

Jesus told them.  Likewise 

"the cup poured out" 

was the new covenant sealed and promised by Jesus' shed blood (vs 20).

Jesus instituted this at the Passover Meal, in the middle of a meal.  So too, with Paul, and Luke with this company of believers at Troas.

The especial mention that it was

 "on the first day of the week" (v. 7) 

also triggers my mind to believe it was for the remembrance.  Either way, we too, can continue

 "to meet and remember;" 

to keep on, keeping on, gathering together - in person, until He comes.

                                                ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 20:7 & 11 and Luke 22:14-20 ESV.

Sing, Remember Me, along with Mr. PGSalt.

Wise Serpents - Innocent Doves (Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV)

 

Here's a satisfying verse ...

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpants and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16 ESV).

Jesus was sending his disciples out to preach and heal but these words carried fair warning of impending persecution.  Being sent in to the midst of wolves sounds ominous, but He did add strategy for navigating through the pack.  They could be "wise as serpents" - #1, and second, innocent as doves."

A few days ago I killed a serpent that had had the audacity to slither over my feet in my kitchen.  Wriggling and wily serpents give me the shivers!

Then for a couple of nights in a row, I dreamt of colorful serpents.  NOT nice!

Serpents seem to be coming at me from all angles.  My husband was watching a documentary of like the top ten (or so - can't exactly recall) places in the world where human beings absolutely cannot live, or they live with exceedingly difficult existences and hard won survival due to extreme weather to weather.

One of those places named was Snake Island, off the coast of Brazil.  It said that there was one highly venomous golden lancehead viper per one square meter in some parts of the 430,000 square meter island.

There is a coast guard, guarding the island 24/7 for the protection of stupid people (my term) who'd think they were so invicible they could "visit" the island unscathed.  (Well, these snakes are also on the endangered species list thus another plausible reason for the guarding.)

The golden lanceheads are beautiful creatures but, they are still serpents.  Deadly ones, yet in order to catch their prey they have to be wise. They have to be shrewd.  However, they are neither harmless nor innocent.  Did you know they curl up on a branch, for instance, and let their tail hang down and wiggle it to deceive birds that there's a nice juicy worm to be had?  Once lured, the bird ..., well, you get the picture.  It was definitely a time not to be early.

Conversely, the small, quick tripping motion of a dove's walk with its bobbing head as it goes along, often cooing, appears to be the epitome of innocence and harmlessness.  We often see them around and I think they are rather sweet and unassuming birds.

So saying, let's find what's happening with Paul in regards to serpents and innocent doves.  He's been rescued from the murderous crowds who so desired to beat him, quite possibly, to death.  The Roman soldiers were ordered to get him into the barracks for safety reasons, but also so he could be more closely examined as to why the people were all stirred up.

The next day he was brought before the high priest Ananias and others of the religious Jewish leaders while the Roman  tribunal looked on.  This is where Paul, who could read a crowd apparently, used the wise serpent-innocent dove tactic.

Paul ascertained that some of the religious rulers were of the Sadducees' persuasion and some were of the Pharisees'.  The former did not believe in resurrection of the dead, angels or of spirits while the latter did.

It seems like Paul was attempting to divide and conquer with his shrewd remarks, declaring himself to be a Pharisee and stating his belief in those three basic areas.  He got his desired effect.

The hostile accusers became divided and ...

 " ... the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks" (v. 10 ESV).

Paul's "innocent shrewdness" is somewhat amusing but he still did not have his freedom.  Thankfully, he once again escaped being "torn to pieces".  God wasn't finished with him yet.

This was serious business.  The heading of the Scriputre section from which I have taken the Matthew 10:16 verse in the YouVersion ESV, reads,

 "Persecution Will Come."  

If you read from verse 16 through 20, you'll see what Jesus taught and what Paul had been experiencing as recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts.

Persecution can come in many forms but we can have some preparedness and readiness by studying these verses that come straight from our Lord's mouth.  And as we listen for Holy Spirit's guidance about being as wise as serpents and innocent as doves, pray for the correct Christlike way to speak and act.  Then watch out for the wolves.

Father God, thank You for Your many provisions for us, especially in view of persecution of Your people.  The advice and instruction Jesus gave to the disciples is helpful.  Help us to use it aright and in whatever wise shrewdness we use, it will indeed be harmless and innocent.  May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide us, along with Your word, all the days of our lives, which You have numbered.  We thank You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 23 and Matthew 10:16 ESV.

Sing, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Prepared and Ready (Acts 22 and 1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

 

Paul longed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.  He even had presence of mind to share his own testimony of conversion and then the "what else" of his God-given mission to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles.

He had all this very ready in his mind and heart and on his tongue - ready to speak.  He did so even in the very midst of a mob bent on beating him to death.  He had had to be rescued by Roman soldiers.

But before he was carted off and carried away into the protection of their barracks, he asked for the floor and opportunity to speak to the seething crowd.  Amazingly, they allowed it.

Whether you call it brazen, brass or brave, Paul explains his life and life mission.  The crowd quiets and listens until the trigger point of his telling them he had been sent to the Gentiles.

And then they exploded in anger and murderous intent, once again.  Paul was whisked away into the barracks.  He was taken in to be kept safe, per se.  Safe from the crowds but now he faced flogging at the hands of the Romans to discover what was at the bottom of the throng's uproar.

Paul has his trump card though.  He revealed his Roman citizenship which gave him certain protection; that is, in this case to avert the flogging.  He still wasn't quite let off the hook though.  He still had to face the tribunal, and council of Roman authority and the Jewish chief priests.

If he was looking for an audience, Paul certainly had one now.  But I believe his bravery and courage in the face of all these was God-given through the Holy Spirit.

Not everyone is called to face such intense opposition and being called into question.  However, God's Word does ask us to be ready to give an answer.

" ... but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  Yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

This is so nice sounding, and to be able to do it all with "gentleness and respect".  In our anger and frustration this doesn't always pan out; myself a key example.  I need to think this all through.  Hopefully, I will be able to act appropriately upon this in Christlike manner, being as gentle and harmless as a dove.  These are thoughts that came to me as I read Acts 22 yesterday and today (25/3/26).

May we each think it out and be as prepared and ready as Paul had been.

In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                ~  ERC  March 20265  ~

Based on Acts 22 and 1 peter 3:15 ESV.

Sing, I Speak Jesus, along with Charity Gayle.

What Else? (Acts 21 ESV)

 The Apostle Paul's soul longed to tell others of Jesus.  So he did.  He did so even with the threat of persecution hanging over his head.  Oh, and not just the threat, the actual act of it, such as when he was being thrown or dragged out of a city and stoned or beaten.

In this 21st chapter of Acts, Paul longed to go to Jerusalem to fulfill a vow.  So he did.  He visited the other apostles and reported his missionary journeyings among the Gentiles and of all God was doing among them.

He had been warned though, not to go.  In the end he would not be persuaded against it.  So the persuaders said,

"Let the will of the Lord be done" (vs 14).

Sure enough the Jewish crowds got riled up.  They misunderstood and listened to the gossip.  They began mob beating him.  But he was rescued, barely by the skin of his teeth, by Roman soldiers.

There are times when God's messengers have been rescued by 'great fish' such as Jonah,  by angels such as Peter from prison and now Paul is rescued by soldiers.  Their lives had not yet completed their missions.

Whether it was by fear or disobedience, and then repentance or from a gross misunderstanding that God rescues us, it seems we will need to think of the 'what else' He wants us to do.

Acts 21 ends with a cliff-hanger,

" ... he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying ..." (vs 40 ESV).

Of course we can rush on to Acts 22 and read the 'what else' and 'what's next' but in our day-to-day lives we do not know what a day may bring forth (see James 4:14).  We can put our lives in our Lord's hands though and join the persuaders,

"Let the will of the Lord be done."

Our times are in His hands.

Jonah did finally complete his mission despite his great displeasure and anger.  Paul too, finished his race but a bit more graciously.  We can learn to trust our Lord to work together with Him for our own 'what else,' until Jesus comes or we go to be with Him before all others do.

Let's be faithful - long for it.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 21 ESV.

Sing, "Your Will Be Done", along with City Alight.

Ahead, Behind, Beside

 Either the man walks 6-10 feet ahead or decides that day to trail behind about that much.  How can two walk together?  Or, he drives fast, almost recklessly, or at a snail-like pace.

What is the motivating mood?

Are the angels chasing him or restricting his momentum?  Only he can answer - if he's willing.

This is not two or more people walking together in agreeance.  It's a tough, sad case.  What can be done?  If the man is not willing to see what he is doing, or at least admit to it and overcome his problem and constant opposition, no one will be able to change his mind.  He will not desire to walk in peace, harmony and agreement.

A person like this may not be able to find a marriage partner.  If he is already married, it will be very sad for his wife.  How can there be satisfying communication and companionship?  How about repoire and a becoming one - not just of the consummation on the marital bed entitled in a marriage by consent, but also of minds working together as an effective, happy and content team?  True partnership is invaluable but the man is indifferent to it.

A host of angels would be hard-pressed to intervene.  The Holy Spirit is likely quenched in such a person who claims to belong to the Lord.  May the Lord open this type of person's ears, mind and heart, creating a contrite, repentant heart and who comes to care and be caring of those who try to walk and live "close" to him.  Open his eyes, Lord.  Foil the tempters power to break apart marriages and churches.  May all learn to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and by so doing, with his loved ones.

Lord, wherever You encounter such a person, bring them to heel, to accept Your bit and bridle, to walk BESIDE You and the ones he supposedly loves.  Abide with us, so we can walk beside You.  We ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                                     ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:25.

sing, Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Magic Arts Bonfire (Acts 19:11-21 ESV)

 There are bonfires and there are bonfires.  Some are very pleasant to sit around, especially on a cool to cold starry night.  You can sit before it and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; roast marshmellows and/or make s'mores; chat campanionably with your companions or just sit and soak up the warmth of the fire and the general atmosphere of 'being and belonging'.

Another type of bonfire is what we read about in Acts chapter 19 and verses 18-20.  It was a great bunch of books that were openly tossed into the flames to be burned.  They  were magic arts books.

The owners who had practiced the magic arts had become believers and followers of Jesus Christ.  Satan, the occult and all attached to those practices were being cut off from their lives.  They

 "burned them (the books) in the sight of all" (v. 19 ESV).

They meant business and showed it by their actions, declaring to one and all their renouncement of the magic arts and way of life and then their new found freedom in Christ.

They had made a clean break because before that bonfire happened, they had come,

"confessing and divulging their practices' (v. 18).

It was a pivotal time in their lives.  No turning back now.  The collective cost of those burned books had been 50,000 pieces of silver.  If you Google that you'll discover that it is roughtly equal to today's USD $37,200-50,000!  That was a lot of wealth.  One day's laborer wage back then was one denarii.  How long had it taken to earn enough to buy all those books!?

But now they severed their connections and it likely had hurt to relinquish all the cost they represented.  But they voluntarily burned all.  They meant business!

Because of the phrase "confessing and divulging" it indicates to me that some, if not all, had been secretly practicing these magic arts.  So this is a further sign of their genuine faith in Jesus and Holy Spirit conviction within them.

It was the cost of following Jesus vs the cost of that life and money spent.  They counted that cost, overcame any fear of repercussion of the evil spirits involved in those magic arts' counterattack.

I feel that their faith in Christ was truly genuine.  Now their hearts were set on fire - a great bonfire in their lives, to follow Jesus.

Oh, the wonder of it all!  And because of it we're told,

"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (v. 20).

[There's nothing magic about this!]

When former idol worshippers and magicians come to Christ, it could be a hurdle for them to fully give up all connected to that former way of life.  All the articfacts, idol statues, altars and so on and so forth, need to be disposed of, no matter.

There could be hesitation as they count the cost of the literal monetary value of all those items, added to the fear of evil spirit retaliation, and of family connections who are opposed to their new found faith in Jesus.  Then their own attachment to that way of life.  It will be a major 'housecleaning' to cut the apron strings, so to speak, from it all.

I know of one lady who was hard pressed to 'clean house'.  She could never, as yet, cut all those ties.  Instead of burning the artifacts, she gave them away.  She'd paid good money for them.  She was also fearful of evil spirit redress.  In the ensuing years she never fully followed Jesus and was full of paralyzing fear.  Those things were still idols in her heart and her fear of them were greater then her fear of the Lord.  There was very little joy and the word of God did not grow in her.

This is why I believe it is of immense import to confiscate, voluntarily, all a new believer in Jesus, once worshiped.  The person cannot be forced to do so.  It must come from their heart - willingly and with sincerity.

It's only by God's grace we can stand, by faith, and cling on to Jesus.  It is in Him we live, move and have our being.  We can acknowledge Him by truly making Him our God through Jesus and fearing Him only.  Count the cost, and may we each have a bonfire for Jesus kindled in our hearts until He comes.  In Jesus' name, so be it.

                                                   ~  ERC  March  2026  ~

Based on Acts 19:11-21 ESV.

Sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, along with Lydia Walker.

Apollus' Portrait (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

 What do you admire in a man?  A Jew named Apollos was desscribed, not by his appearance - he may or may not have been tall, dark and handsome - but by his character and how he used his God-given gifts.

He was 

"eloquent" and "competent in the Scriptures."  

He had been

 "instructed in the way of the Lord" 

and must have listened well to the instructions.  This could indicate an obedient and even humble attitude.  Luke continues to detail, Apollos was

 "fervent in spirit" 

and he 

"taught accurately" and diligently (KJV), "the things concerning Jesus ...."

Apollos also had courage, he 

"spoke boldly."  

And he got encouragement to travel as he'd planned and

 "greatly helped those who through faith had believed."

His portrait doesn't stop there.  He was able to

"powerfully refute ... in public, showing by Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus"!

Wow!

What a man!

In my opinion, if Proverbs 31 is a portrayal of what a noble woman is, this peek at Apollos would be a good example of what a noble man might look like.

No doubt there is much more to be said, but I'd admire this in a brother-in-Christ.  We could probably add that he was faithful.  Faithful in his faith and in his service, poured out like and offering to the Lord, to His word and to those he served among.

All believers in Jesus Christ who fear God and walk humbly before Him and  in step with the Holy Spirit could have a similar portrait.  May we each be faithful to the Lord and His service, using our gifts for His glory and by His grace until He calls us home to be with Him.  

Perhaps today, but remain ever faithful, until ...

                                                 ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 18:24-28 ESV

Sing, Must I Go Empty Handed?, along with Risen Lord.

Hot Cross Buns (Easter 2026)

 I've often wondered about Hot Cross Buns.  Why do we see them at Easter time?  I even made some the other day - for better or for worse.  Ahem ...

Anyway, my curiosity finally led me, after all these years, to investigate.  The icing cross, of course, is obvious.  It represents Jesus' dying on the cross.

Then when I saw the recipe called for spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, I was surprized.  I hadn't realized there were supposed to be spices in these buns.

I rather like the symbolism of the spices.   They remind us of the spices the women brought to anoint Jesus, which we know they did't get a chance to use in the end as Jesus had already risen from the dead.

I like the beautiful, caring and loving thoughtfulness of these women who showed their regard and care for Jesus.  In their sorrow they offered these spices, especially for Him.

The buns, being bread, clearly remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life.  Secondly, that we can often eat of the broken bread during holy communion, or as some people prefer to call it, the "Breaking of Bread," in obedience to Jesus' request to remember Him in His death and resurrection for us.  He had told his disciples at the Last Supper,,

"Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19 ESV).

The monk, Brother Thomas Rodecliffe is attributed to having started this Hot Cross Bun tradition away back in England in 1361.  Originally called the "Alban Bun" (from St. Alban's Abbey) [AI Overview].

It was a great and delicious way to tell the story of Jesus, not in a nutshell, but in a bun. 

 Interesting, right?  Let's praise Jesus for all He's done for us.

Praise the Lord, Jesus is risen.  He is alive!  We serve a risen Savior.

Remember Him.

                                                    ~ ERC  April  2026  ~

Based on Luke 22:19 and The AI Overview Story of Alban Buns.

Sing, Bread of Life, along with Forever Be Sure.

Book Review - The Lost Woman - By Karen Mulvahill - Publication Date: 2 April 2026

 In many ways this was a difficult book to read, as there is much about the cruelty, greed and evil treatment of the Jews during WWII.  Then too, the lives of the citizens coping with war conditions and those who tried to 'hide' in France.  There is much about high value art paintings and how they were confiscated and divided up, taken from the walls of many Jewish homes.  The Picassos, Monets, and more - gone to Hitler, Goring and others.  Art dealers and collectors - some legit but many not - also get mentioned.  

We see this story through several pairs of eyes.  Of main note are the eyes of Nicole as a hands-on eyewitness and who instigates Robert, years later, to trace lost pieces of her family's paintings.  The reader will also find story twists through Kenneth, Alexi, and Sam.

A caution I would remark on is that since this is also a story seasoned with romance, some potential readers many not appreciate some of the more intimate bedroom descriptions.  So saying, most of the story's focus is on the stolen art work and the difficult process of recapturing them and getting them back to the rightful owners.  I found this interesting and learned a thing or two in this regard.

Tears may be shed and at times, breaks from reading may be needed; at least this happened to me.  However, over all, The Lost Woman was well defined, giving what I feel this work of historical fiction deserves, that is, a satisfactory "well done!"

                                              ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                             March 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Life Support (Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV)

 

More and more we see AED's placed in strategic places, often near coffeee shops where folks like to hang out or even in sports centers where people like to "keep fit," playing rigorous matches of pickle ball , badminton and the like.  I've heard they've been effectively used.

Being jolted back to life with an Automated Exernal Defibrallator (AED) would be a mercy to many heart attack survivors.  This machine may not necessarily be termed 'life support' but it does help restart the heart and bring life back to the person.

At hospitals, other machines can 'take over' to help sustain organ functions during critical illness until, hopefully ... prayerfully, the body will be able to kick back in and do the work for itself.

These life support measures are generally understood to be for temporary usage.  A stop gap until health returns, or that most traumatic and complex decision has to be made to halt these interventions.

In Paul's address to the Areopagus men of Athens, he speaks of the one true God.  He tells them that,

"In Him we live and move and have our being; for we are indeed His offspring" (vs 28).

God provided life support for us; that is, the everlasting life we have through Jesus (see John 3:16).  Note the word 'everlasting'.  This is not a temporary measure, but a life long and eternal one.

Jesus has provided us life support by bringing us the gift of salvation.  God has given us all assurance of this

 "by raising [Jesus] from the dead."

Jesus' death brought us life and His resurrection from the dead brought us assurance of this everlasting life.

Some of those thinkers of Athens believed Paul's words - that message of Jesus and the one true God.  I hope and pray more will find this 'jolt to life eternal' today too.

And for those of us who already have this "Life Support" that we will treasure it and live to please the Lord and so show our gratitude and thankfulness to Him.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 17:28 & 31 ESV.

Sing, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, along with Stuart Townend.