The healing journey of a widowed, unschooling badass in Delaware.
Isaiah 63:9-10 RSV — In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
I appreciate David Guzik’s commentary on these verses.
8° Fahrenheit is the new low temperature record for my Wim Hof Method breathing routine. This morning I watched a mere handful of flakes appear magically over me and drop softly onto my face and body.
Although it was a busy day with a trumpet lesson, booking clients for By Her Hand Tattoos, and an entrepreneurial accountability meeting, we found time for cards and dominoes by candlelight.
Isaiah 62:1 RSV — For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.
Zephaniah 3:17: The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Ephesians 3:18-19 RSV — may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
God’s promise is everlasting love.
I am thoroughly confused by the difference between Zion and Jerusalem. I have read that one represents a spiritual city and the other a material one, but sources disagree on which is which. I have also read that they were separate cities and Jerusalem expanded to include Zion.
Whatever that truth turns out to be, God plans on joining His believers as a bridegroom joins his bride.
Isaiah 61:1-2 RSV — The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Luke 4:18-21 RSV — “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
As I prepare to get married, this next passage speaks to me:
Since getting engaged, I have felt a closer relationship with God. I didn’t expect this. I suppose part of my purpose in this life is to be a father AND a husband. I haven’t been sure about that for the last seven years, but this chapter of single-fatherhood is set to close.
Psalm 59:16-17 KJV — But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Isaiah 41:13-14 KJV — For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Philippians 4:13 KJV — I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Isaiah 40:28-29 KJV — Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
This is the wildest post-election/pre-inauguration time I’ve observed in 30 years (yes, I was watching C-Span at 16).
Trump has posted a video of Jeffrey Sacks blaming Netanyahu for our war in Iraq (and the CIA for interfering in Syria).
This is the best news for the Palistinian people that I’ve heard out of this election.
I still don’t trust Trump’s Zionist-filled cabinet, but the Libertarians and America First folks might still have a voice.
Isaiah 59:20 RSV — “And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the LORD.
Isaiah 60:12 RSV — For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
Isaiah 60:18-20 RSV — Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.
I dream of a time when we are all gathered on a new Earth, in a glorified Zion. There is no more darkness, the sky is filled with the light of the moon and stars and sun.
Isaiah 59:5-6 RSV — They hatch adders’ eggs, they weave the spider’s web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one which is crushed a viper is hatched. Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands.
When we sin, the fruit of our labor is rotten. No one can eat it. When there is enough sin, no one eats, no one is clothed, and we are not safe from the dangers of nature.
Cultivate a greater respect for listening and you will discover wisdom in places where you once saw only foolishness.