HAIKU - Obtain a Blessing

 

Pay back, tit-for-tat.

Retaliation, NO last

word, only blessing.

Not punishment but

victory in blessing your foe.

Answer with blessing.

Insult for instult?

NO.  Instead, let your light shine.

Obtain a blessing.

~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Father God, in You we put our trust.  You are the one who requites with the vengence needed.   We leave it to you, but  we also knowYou are the one and only God of mercy, grace and love.  Teach us to love our enemies to do good to them instead of what our natural human nature would love to do in retaliation of some offense or misdeed done to us by others.  Teach us to forgive and to 'pay back' with blessing and words of peace.  It's a tall order but with Your Holy Spirit's help we  ask in Jesus' name, amen. 

                                                 ~ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on 1 Peter 3:9 ( ESV, NIV, NLT)  Also loosely based on 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 24 - The Retaliating Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Seasons, along with Hillsong.

Check out this link:  Answer With A Blessing.

Answer With a Blessing (TT)

 

Normally I'll read either the NIV or the ESV, but seeing 1 Peter 3:9 from the NLT brings home the message of the verse with more impact for me.  Go ahead and compare the versions.  Here's the NLT:

"Don't repay evil for evil.  Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and He will bless you for it."

So what do you think?

The 'don't retaliate' bit kinda punches me in the face 'cuz my human nature sure would love to verbally hit back; tit-for-tat.  But if you really want to retaliate, this verse says to

 "... pay them back with a blessing!"

Ha!  Did you choke on that?

Smirk.  God does have a sense of humor doesn't He!  No doubt the surprize of getting 'paid back' with a blessing instead of a 'curse' would make a positive impression that would be long-lasting.  At least it is to be hoped.

It may even jolt the first person to wonder why you are so strange.  Ha, ha, again.

'Normal' people would not use a blessing as a reaction in such cases.   This person may then ask why you did that.  You could then explain that you belong to Jesus and because of this you want to become more like Jesus.

Furthermore, such conversation could potentially lead that person to Christ.  So we need to pray and to let our "light so shine"  with Christian behavior that blesses and goes against the norm.  In this way we can give our Lord and Savior the honor and glory He deserves (see Matthew 5:16 ESV).

In the end, we too will be blessed by Him!  As the NIV states,

"... you may inherit a blessing."

We may also leave such a legacy for our children, grandchildren and others we meet.

So let's hold our tongues accountable and tame them by God's grace and the Holy Spirit freedom indwelling and working with us.  Try it.

Heavenly Father, we so appreciate You and the work You do within us through Your Holy Spirit's convictions and guidance. May we ever be willing and submissive to You especially in the area of our tongues.  Tame them, Father!  Don't let us retaliate in anger and verbal assaults, insults and curses but rather with the blessing that could only come from You.  Let us answer with a blessing.

Make us ever more like Christ.  In Jesus' name we ask.  Amen.

                                                      ~ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on 1 Peter 3:9 NLT.  Also, loosely based on 30 Days To Taming YOUR  Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Seasons, along with Hillsong.

Stopped Dead in My Tracks (TT)

 

This is probably a silly question but have you ever complained before?  Ha, ha!  Who hasn't?

I have often found myself complaining.  As a chronic complainer, one day I was going to it when a friend, who passed on Deborah Smith Pegues' book 30 Days To Taming the Tongue to me after reading it herself, incidently, cut me abruptly off.  She said she didn't want to hear it!

Well, of course I was offended and angry at her.  After taking certain pastoral care courses when "listening with empathy" was hammered into us, I was exceedingly taken aback and complained to myself, over and over in angry thought, that this friend needed to take such a course too!

Having read twenty-three days' worth of this tongue taming book, I now get where my friend was coming from.  It sure stopped me dead in my tracks for a time of introspective 'stocktaking'.

We often go from one person to another seeking out those sympathetic 'listening' ears, asking folks to join our pity party.  However, as Pegues outlines in her book, it's not healthy #1, and #2, take your complaints to the one who can actually do something for you!

People do have legitimate complaints so take it to the authority that is relevant and not to the 101 people who can't help bring about positive change.

Ultimately, the Lord is the one who brings change and He is not a gossiper who spreads the discontent.  I like what Pegues suggests,

"Whenever you feel a complaint coming on, replace it with a statement of gratitude or a declaration of a Scripture you have personalized." (p. 100).

Furthermore, she shares the verses regarding with whom we have recourse.  We can "cry out," and "pour out" our complaint before the Lord as David the psalmist did (see Psalm 142:1-2).

Let's put our trust in the Lord who allows all things in our life to work together for our good (see Romans 8:20).

Lord, help me turn my complaints over to You and to train my mind and heart and tongue with Your Holy Spirit's intervention by singing and saying "statements of gratitude" instead of voicing constant complaints like a broken record.

I ask in Your name, Jesus, amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Psalm 142:1-2.  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue - Day 23 - The Complaining Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, along with Stacey Plays Hymns.

The Call and the Choice (Mark)

 

Here's an interesting tidbit I came across by George MacDonald.

"One day there came along that silent shore,

While my net was casting in the sea,

A man who spoke as never man before,

I followed Him, new life began in me.

Mine was the boat, But His the voice,

and His the call, Yet mine the choice."

I believe these sentiments spawn from the passage in Mark 1:14-20, where Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to 

"Come follow, me, ... and I will make you fishers of men" (vs 17).

The choices these men made that day were "at once" and "without delay" to follow Jesus.  They had been willingly eager to do so.

When we follow their lives from then on, we see their firm decision and choice had been sincere.  Yes, at one point of Jesus' death, they faltered some but they came right again not long after.

May we current followers of Jesus Christ have the same enthusiasm, sincerity, and definiteness of choice to follow and to continue to follow Jesus all the days of our lives.

These disciples-cum-apostles didn't have it easy ever afterwards.  We may not either, but oh the number of believers and treasures they stored up in heaven are countless, I believe.  Only our heavenly Father knows the exact number but they were faithful to their call and choice.  Let's be found equally faithful to our call and choice, today, and for the rest of our lives here on earth.

Lord Jesus we want to follow you all our days, come what may.  Help us to be found ever faithful to You because You have been forever faithful to us first.  We ask in Your most precious name, amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Mark 1:14-20 NIV.

Sing, Christ is Enough For Me (I Have Decided), along with Hillsong singers.

Cut the Curses (TT)

 Cursing tongues really bother me, especially when coming out of the mouths of those of us who purport to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Whether its the case of outright curses and foul language or of euphemisms, both bother me.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ exhorts,

"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be" (James 8:10 NIV).

I realize that a person may have just become a new believer in Jesus Christ, so I must exercise grace towards such a person and not be too judgemental.  However, whether we are newborn believers or 'old hats' in the Kingdom of God, we need to review our vocabulary and make it more pure.  Don't use the Lord's name in vain.  His name is holy and needs to be revered.

Paul instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 (ESV),

"Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

We can apply to the Holy Spirit indwelling us, to make us mindful of our words, convict us of the curses and corrupt language and help us to not let any of it come out of our mouths.  Once again, to cleanse and purify our thoughts with the Word of God, confession to the Lord of what we have already spoken, repentance - that turning away from it, and speak instead, the kind and gracious words of blessing.

Ingrained habits of thought and speech can be purified by willing hearts.  Ask yourself, who do you want to be in charge of your tongue?  Yourself or the Lord?

I know within myself when a situation heats up, I can surpize myself by what I really want to say.  But if I make a decided choice and ask the Lord to help me rein in my thoughts and tongue, He does.

He does pull back on the reins but I still choose to say, or not to say, curses verbally or even in my thoughts. I need to cut the curses off - nipping them in the bud.  This has been my experience.

At times the split second choice has been to speak it anyway.  It hurts not just myself but the hearers too.  Once the words escape, they cannot be caught or cancelled.

I hang my head in shame.  But as a child of God, I have recourse in confession to the Lord, with a truely contrite, repentant heart.  He forgives and purifies every stain upon my soul from that sin (see 1 John 1:9).

Hurt and damage to others has been done though.  Sincere apologies and seeking for forgiveness from those hurt needs to be sought where possible.  One never knows or realizes the full extent of heart wounding done by the curses.  Speak blessing over those you do know of.  Ask the Lord to heal them and those you are unaware of.  He's in the business of making all things beautiful in His time; even me...even you.

Let's have sincere hearts to think and speak blessings.  I believe this is what Jesus would have us do.

Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for all the times over the many years of my life I have cursed people and have had curse-like thoughts against the many people who have been in my life.  I take this opportunity to say 'sorry' and to cut the curses.  I don't want to do this in my speech or thoughts.  Purify my heart Lord.  Search my heart so I can purge it of all that which does not glorify You.  Tame my tongue.  Heal all those countless people I've injured with my curses and/or unwholesome words.  You know who they are.

As Deborah Smith Pegues avows in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, I too want to make the same statement.  Lord help me so that...

"Cursing does not proceed out of my mouth.  Today I give [Your Father, God,] full charge of my tongue.  By His grace I will only speak words that will bring honor to His Name."

And to Your name too, Lord Jesus.

So help me.  I say and ask this in Your precious name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Ephesians 4:29 ESV.  Also, Deborah Smith Pegues' book, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 22 - The Cursing Tongue.

Sing, Wonderful Words of Life, along with Best Hymns.

Memorize:  Ephesians 4:29.

Lord's Day Devotion - Not My Will But Yours

 

One of the saddest verses in the Bible is the one where Peter goes out and weeps bitterly when he realizes at the crucial moment what he had done to Jesus.  He had denied three times that he knew Jesus (see Matthew 26:75 ESV).

He had been so confident earlier in the day and even stood up to try to defend Jesus with his sword, cutting off the ear of one of the high priest's servants.  Even before that he had told Jesus,

"Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You!"

Truly, the 1 Corinthians 10:12 verse resonates here in Peter's case, as well as it could in ours,

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

Peter meant well.  His heart was in the right place.  He really did love Jesus and saw Him as more than a good friend.  He was, in fact, the first to declare,

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).

Earlier that fateful day of Jesus' arrest, Jesus took His disciples to Gethsemane to pray.  They could not keep their eyes opened to accompany Jesus in His monumental prayers.

Jesus, as fully man knew what he was facing and spoke with His Father about it. 

 "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me ..." (Matthew 26:39).

Disciples, where were you!  Where was the prayer support for your beloved friend going through such a sorrowful struggle!?

Yet, Jesus in His submission to God His father says, 

"Not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

Then Jesus goes back to His disciples and sees them sleeping and says particularly to Peter,

"So you could not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41).

Jesus goes back and talking with His Father, says,

"My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done" (Matthew 26:42).

I wonder if what He said to Peter, was also speaking to Himself at those moments of agony of soul.  He knew human flesh was weak but praise the Lord, Jesus is also fully God, and He was able to overcome any temptation to not go through with the act that enabled our salvation; that is, His cruel death on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the dead.

For Peter, his flesh was definitely weak, and he hadn't been praying and despite his spirit being willing to not deny he knew Jesus, he succumbed.  He hadn't taken heed and therefore he fell.  When he 'wakes up,' he goes out and weeps bitterly.

This can happen to us too.  The remedy is to be prayful and submissive to the Lord in our everyday moments of life.  When we do fall, there is recourse.  Like Peter who was later restored by Jesus and given a mission, we too can take heart from his example (see John 21:15-17).  It's such a touching scene.  Private moments with Jesus.  There was hope for Peter and there's hope for us today.  Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow and claim,

"I do know Him.  Jesus is my Savior and Friend".

This Lord's day, let's rejoice together as we partake of the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine.  These symbols of Jesus' death and resurrection that brought us life and His Holy Spirit.  Let us be reminded of his great love and empowerment through His submissive act of love for all human kind,

"Not my will but Yours, Father."  

His Holy Spirit empowers our weak flesh and spirit to acknowledge Jesus before others.

Give Him Your thanks, praise and worship.

Jesus, in Your name we give You our heartfelt thanks.  You did not let Your human flesh hold You back from Your mission of saving our souls.  Thank You for following through to the bitter end.  Your death brought us life.  Thank You, Jesus!  We want to live for You but we can only do so by Your Holy Spirit empowerment.  Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Matthew 26:69-75 and 1 Corinthians 10:12 and Matthew 26:41 ESV.

Sing, Death Has No Power, along with Jeremy Camp.

Book Review - Bleak Times At Orchard Cottage House - By Lizzie Lane - Publication Date: 4 July 2025

 

No matter what stresses and distresses happen in a story, there are times when you need the happily-ever-after ending.  This book did that for me.

I liked that author Lizzie Lane addressed women's issues that were very marked in the past, such as male domination.  For example, when a woman got married, she belonged to the husband and had to be kept in kitchen and kinder (children), no outside career allowed.  Yet there were some fiesty women who blasted through the staid traditions like Dr. Frances Brakespeare, Araminty and even Nurse Lucy Daniels, beloved figures we meet again in this third book in the series.

Also of note, the way divorce was viewed; quack abortionists and those who sold illegal pills purported to make a woman miscarry and the desparate women who'd try them.  All this created suspense, stress and distress, goading one on to read page after page.  Sweet romance and revealed family relationships entwined the narrative helping to balance the tension and sadness levels.

Although this is a third book in the Orchard Cottage Hospital series, it can easily be a stand alone book.  Nevertheless, if a reader wants to know fuller details in this historical chronicle, and enjoy the story from 'the beginning', he or she may wish to read those that go before, first.  This is my opinion, at least.

One caution is for those potential readers who do not wish to read about initmate bedroom romps.  Know that this story does have such descriptions.  In my opinion, other than this, it was a good read.

                                              ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                                 June 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.