“ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE OF ANOTHER LAND, FOUR HORSEMEN ARE SADDLED”
Many times in our lives, we may not have been aware, that we were protected and cared for by angels,ever faithful, ministering to our needs. Angels visiting earth with folded wings, weeping with tears for the things done here, but ever returning, never forsaking their calling. And in the times we are living, angels have also been given, riding on horses of might and fury, bearing a message of soon coming events to come upon us,of forewarning and loveto all who will listen!
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and the earth… The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood”
Joel 2:30
“And it shall come to pass that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”
When I was six and my brother was three, our mother took us on a train ride from the west to the east coast. I only have faint memories of that ride, but it set up deep emotions that were embedded in my mind, beginning a frenzy of travels, with curves and twistings, taking me on a trip with an uncertain destination.
The following words were written by the composer, Bach
The cantata was originally played for a birthday celebration Musicians from the Courts of Weimar had joined together with Bach in the first performance. Though written in the early 1700’s, it is often used in weddings and other celebrations
“Sheep may safely graze and pasture
In a watchful Shepherd’s sight
Those who rule with wisdom guiding
Bring to hearts a peace abiding
Blessing a land with joy made bright.”
“We seem to stray from the fold of safety, but upon His lambs there is ever a Watchful Eye”</figure
“And with her candle lit, she searches for her one lost coin”
For when it is found there will be a celebration
I wonder how many of us will stoop down to Pick up a penny? Or just ignore it, as Not worth the effort!
In the East of ancient times, a coin was Very valuable.
****
The houses of the poor Usually consisted of but one room, Often windowless and dark. The room Was rarely swept and a piece of money Falling on the floor would quickly be Covered by dust and rubbish.
In order that it might be found, even in The daytime, a candle must be lit and The house must be swept diligently.
A wife’s marriage portion usually Consisted of pieces of money which she Carefully preserved as her most Cherished possession, to be given to Her daughters.
The loss of one of these coins would be Considered as a serious calamity. And its recovery would cause great Rejoicing, in which the neighboring Women would readily share.
Recovery
The coin, though lying amongst dust and rubbish is still a piece of silver, sought because of its value.
In this parable, the lesson may be taught, though a mother or father may have many children safely abiding in their home, but will not be content, until their search for their lost child is found?
“Where the birds of the heavens can rest under its shadows“
With the heat wave that has struck much of our country, with unusual high temperatures, I found myself seekingrelief in the park, perhaps under the shade of the trees.
And to my surprise there were many more wiser than I, for there were few people with theirusual activities.
It reminds me of last year with Covid, when our parks were empty and strangely quiet. It took a lot of faith on our part to get through that difficult year. Now, once again there is a need to have faith to meet thenew challengesfacing us, with the severe draught and impending fires with their caustic air,consuming our lands.
There is a story –
“Like a Grain of a Mustard Seed”
“Which when it is sown, though it be less than allthe seeds, when it grows, it becomes greater than all the plants, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the heavenscan rest under its shadows.”
We are encouraged to have the faith of a grain of the mustard seed, and nothing will be impossible. We will be given help to endure these things that have come upon us!
Sometimes I find myself having a difficult time with faith
Expressing it in a prayer
Mustard seed of faith
The smallest of seed was planted And began to grow. The mustard seed of my soul Sprang up, A tender shoot, lifting itself Above earth and sky, Grass and grain and waving branches. But soon the seed began to Whither and die. ~~~~
The drought has been long, what Was plenty now is gone.
Oh, help me God, for my faith is Small, what will you do with me? When I perceive myself my Silhouette is like a tree with Branches twisted and tangled,
Encumbered with vines and Tendrils of fear, fed by roots Reaching deep into earth’s Cisterns of misbeliefs and Lies.
That even the birds of the air cannot Find a place to perch, to rest Their wings, to raise their Fledglings, to share their song, For my downcast spirit drives Them all away,
Devoid of shade and blossoms Of fruit, green leaves withered With decay. Oh Lord, take Your fine tooth Comb, undo my tangled thoughts, Make me as the mustard seed Once planted in my heart!
“If she had only been good, it is her fault mother left”
Addiction is a frightening thing, it can remove a mother and
Father’s presence from the child’s life. This dreaded disease
Runs rampant in our family. Today is the tenth year of my son’s
Death, taken in a cruel way. Thankfully I was spared from the
Devastation this illness can bring, and yet though substance
Abuse in a physical manner is absent, I struggle with an
Emotional attachment that is much more profound in many
Ways.
To the point of being consumed with their illness, almost
Destroying me. With the recent news of of this ugly strike once
Again, of a loved one who has sunk to the delusion
That their pain can be lifted, I am once more with the question,
Will I be consumed with this one as well?
And yet, from a Power greater than myself, I am convicted that the memories of a painful past, of my mother’s choosing will be lifted, and I will not succumb to dwell in a harmful state of mind, attempting to do something for someone else that I am powerless to obtain!
I remember something that was said long ago, a speaker was encouraging those who have experienced devastation and emotional pain. And I have never forgottenhis words – “Even if you have to hold on with only your very finger tips, don’t give up” Through many sorrows and disappointments I have felt like
the cauldron of flames were about to consume me. The heat of affliction became too much, as if my mind and body were ready to explode!
In honor of all those who are opposed by the enemy, are we not all as “A brand plucked from the fire?”*
For a child growing up in alcoholism and addiction, there never seemed to be a safe place to go. Home was never safe, neither school or friends, making it difficult to trust others. Later in life I learned of a safe place,where I could run to, to a tower of safety, a place ofprotection from the enemy!
“A fair skinned child with bright blue eyes and blonde tousled hair”
And with songs of laughter!
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10
The evening is sultry, too hot to sleep, as she climbs the steps to the roof, as they often did in this ancient village. There is merriment and joy in the distance, as she looks down on a wedding taking place. She is enthralled with the bride and her beautiful jewels and dress, her painted face with bright colors, waiting to meet her groom. Under the stars, falling asleep, she dreams of the day, when she will be betrothed, just as every girl dreams, for this is the custom in her land, to be married and have children, was her deepest desire! ~~~~ And then came the day when her dream had come true! ~~~~
With loving care, her maidens Surround her With perfumes and oils, smoothing her skin Placing sparkling pins and fasteners In her long flowing hair Her eyes enhanced, painted in black With purple eyelashes Then stepping into a gown of Sparkling sequins of ivory and lace Slipping into sandals of scarlet and blue And finally silver bracelets and a Necklace of gold! Looking into the mirror, it reveals a Woman of beauty! And as her maidens slowly draw the Beaded curtain aside with its tinkling Bells There is silence as she poses Before her husband to whom she is Promised Abram gently lifts Sarai’s veil Taking his wife to his tent to bare His child
~ Years swiftly pass and her hope is Not fulfilled No sign of life felt in her womb and She is saddened Unable to conceive, Sarai devises A plan Inviting her servant, Hagar, into Her tent to lay with her husband To bear the promised one, and Hagar Did bare a son Calling him Ishmael And Sarai became jealous, sending Them into the wilderness ~~~~ With continued years of waiting her Hopes dwindle Now looking into the mirror Her face is marred with wrinkles And creases Her bones waxing old, her back bent Hobbling with a stick And with no hope she had been given ~~~~ One night in the coolness of the Evening, Abram fell asleep and he was given A dream God promised him a son And a great nation! In sharing this promise with Sarai She laughed behind his back For she was Ninety and Abram one hundred years Old! But God did hear her prayer! A cry in the night, a midwife quickly rushes To her side And Sarai gives birth to the promised Child With gnarled hands and a once sorrowful Heart Her fingers are now entwined with a babies Soft skin One whose descendants would fill the Land like the stars of heaven!
*The stars had never shone brighter that night *As feasting and rejoicing filled their hearts *The promise was fulfilled *Surely this child is the progenitor of all God’s children *Pointing to the long awaited Messiah! *And now Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah and Abram’s to Abraham
This is inspired by the story of Abraham and Sarah in God’s word
,There are many stories of faith and trust in God’s Word, but one well known story of a man called Job has been a comfort and help down through the ages. In spite of loss and affliction, and three friends rejection, he was ever faithful to his God!
There is a man called Job in
The land of Uz, beyond where
The Euphrates River flows,
Dividing into streams of blue
Waters.
~~~~
Flocks of peacocks with their
Flirtatious cries strut about,
Sporting purple and green plumes
Among white lily and Star of
Bethlehem blooms.
Wild donkeys and mountain
Goats rest in the shade of the
Broom tree plant.
~~~~
As far as the eye can see, all of
This land belongs to the
Patriarch Job, a wealthy man
With many herds and families,
And seven sons and three
Daughters.
~~~~
Now it seems that this is a story
That existed from the very
Beginning of time,
When it was written we are not
Sure, but it is inspired by God’s
Word.
It is a sad story but has a happy
Ending.
~~~~
The villain of this story is jealous
And accuses the God of this man
Of unfairness,
Speaking one day “You have
Favored Job and if you remove
His children and land he will
Curse you.”
God replying “Alright take these
Things away but do not harm
Him.”
~~~~
One early morning after his sons
And daughters feasted the night
Before, Job arose to offer prayers.
His servant entered with the news
“Your children and herds have been
Slain and I am the only one that
Remains.”
Job is astonished but does not find
Fault, trusting the God he exalts.
~~~~
Then the foe of Job says “Surely,
If you afflict this man’s body he will
Curse you to his face.”
Job was afflicted with boils
Covering his body, shaving his head,
He sat in ashes.
~~~~
Yet he does not charge God with
Wrong, replying “Shall we receive
Only good and not evil?”
Job questioned God but never
Cursed him.
He is a victim of a wager between
God and the devil!
~~~~
When Job’s three friends heard
Of his dilemma they rushed to his
Side, deploring the sight of his
Sufferings, sitting down with him
For seven days and nights.
After seven days Job broke the
Silence cursing the day he was
Born.
~~~~
“Why did not the earth swallow
Me before I was put to the
Breast, why did I not die,
Coming from my mother’s womb?”
~~~~
Then Job’s friends drew near
With reproaches,
“Job you are at fault, if you had
Not sinned, these sufferings would
Not be received with
Chastisement.”
He replied, “Lord they accuse me
Of sinning day and night.”…
~~~~
And in spite of this man’s anguish
And pain he still never cursed God,
And he was blessed with much
More than he had possessed, and
With seven more sons and three
Daughters.
~~~~
The Book of Job spanning over
Centuries, gives words of comfort
To those who question since time
Began, “Why the suffering of all
Mankind!”
This is the first part of the book ‘Three Friends’
