the Bread of Life

  And Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” - Luke 4:4

This bible verse came to me this morning, after I had partaken in Holy Communion the night before. And some wondering thoughts I have had…

Bread alone. It led me think of having Jesus as a Friend. And truly He is. There is nothing more wonderful than a warm friendship. Like bread. It makes me think of the comfort and security of being at a grandma’s house. 

But there is more. So much more.

The wine. The life giving blood of Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus. In addition to the Friendship, there is a Savior. The Bread. And the Wine. Jesus truly all in all.

Psalm 104 says that bread and wine sustain and gladden the heart.

I think there is something very special going on here… this not by bread alone. What would Holy Communion be without the wine? Would we take of the bread - and then what? Think what? The wine - that gladdens the heart. Would we remember to rejoice in this Savior? Would we miss out on this? Don’t we need both to “remember Me”…  both Friend and Savior. Love and Lord. 

In John 6:35 Jesus joins hunger and thirst together. And again, in verses 53 through 57. Everyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood is in Me, and I in him.

I welcome your thoughts on this. I feel like I’m supposed to go somewhere with this, but… can’t quite pull it together. It’s niggling at me and I can’t quite capture clarity or bring it full circle in my mind.

The Lord’s Strong Hold

 

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?
² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.

 A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE BATTLING CANCER OR SOME OTHER ON-GOING DEBILITATING CONDITION RIGHT NOW, THAT THE EVIL THAT IS TRYING TO DEVOUR THEIR FLESH. LORD, MAKE THOSE DANGEROUS CELLS STUMBLE AND FALL.

³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

LORD, INCREASE THEIR HOPE IN YOU. MAY IT RISE UP WITHIN THEM AND GRANT THEM CONFIDENCE IN THE ALMIGHTY.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,

MAY THEY INDEED FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN YOUR HOLY, INCOMPARABLE PRESENCE EVERY DAY.

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

MAY THEIR EYES BE OPENED TO JUST HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

O LORD, PROTECT THEM AS ONLY YOU CAN. MAY THEIR THOUGHTS RISE ABOVE THE CALAMITY THAT SEEMS TO SURROUND THEM.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

MAY THEY TRULY SEE AND ENVISION A LIFE HELD IN YOUR HANDS. AND MAY THEY BE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE REAL, ALIVE, INVOLVED AND AT WORK, RISEN LORD.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

LORD, NO ONE ELSE HOLDS SUCH PROMISE.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.

THANK YOU, GRACIOUS GOD, THAT DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE SAY, WHAT DOCTORS SAY, YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD, HAVE THE LAST WORD.

¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.

I PRAY THEY ARE ABLE TO HOLD STEADY IN THE FAITH YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM.

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
 spouting malicious accusations.

THAT THEY WILL REMAIN STRONG AND NOT CAVE IN TO HOPELESSNESS OR NEGATIVE THINKING.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.

MAY THEY WAKE UP EVERY MORNING KNOWING THE LORD HAS A HOLD ON THEM AND SECURE IN YOUR LOVING ARMS.

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

WATCHING FOR YOU, LORD, WATCHING AND WAITING FOR YOU – ALL WISE, ALL POWERFUL, ALL WONDERFUL ONE.

My Sentiments Exactly

 Be ready to share the good news! Get your Easter cards now. (You know how the time seems to slip right on by! - is it really the middle of March already?)

Send one to your pastor - a note of appreciation for all the extra mid-week Lenten services and those during Holy Week

Distant friends and family

Sunday school /bible study leaders

Anyone you know in charge of an outreach ministry in your town - who are tirelessly helping those in need and you may be involved in too (think food pantry, clothing drive, any helping hands organization)

Youth directors

Church secretary

New neighbor? Perhaps use as an invitation to your Easter service

Mom

There are other card designs suitable for Easter… bunnies, flowers, etc. Come and take a look in the card shop!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

Also available at this time, a collection of 12 cards called SPRING MIX. $10.00. (Pictured below) Just request SPRING MIX when ordering.

As always, thank you for joining me in loving others, both near and far, with expressions of God’s love through notes and cards. God bless you in loving others in this way!

God of all comfort

“Mom, life is so messed up! I really messed things up!”

Maybe I made a bad choice. Or someone else did that affected me. But life was falling apart all around me. Whatever it was, as a child or a teen and even as a grown woman, I could go to mom… kneel next to her in her rocking chair, lay my head in her lap and weep over it all. She would stroke my hair and rub my back. Say something gentle and kind. Somehow understanding. She could make the whole world go away.

I really, really miss that.

But I don’t have to. For she was responding to my needs as I think Jesus would. I believe she took her cue from God, the Father:

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

What was true in Luke 15 was true when my mom was alive and available - and still is true to this very day. Jesus is the living Lord. The God Who holds me. Carries me.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gather the lambs in his arm and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Luke 13:34)

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. (Hosea 11:4)

All those times, mom was representing the love and care of Christ to me. And now I know, the Lord is near - reminding me of that same love and care given by my mom.

You’ve got a friend - Carole King

Do not weep

 

I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. - Revelation 5:4

My throat tightens and my chest aches every time I read this passage. Because I have been there. That place with no hope. Where forgiveness and cleansing can not possibly be possible. When shame, guilt, and sin consumed me and felt there would never be enough forgiveness or healing… that I had gone too far. There was no amount of cleansing sufficient… so I wept and wept.

It is hard to imagine, now, not having the saving grace of Jesus; that certain hope. To have knowledge of what the Bible says about the wondrous beauty of heaven, and having no more pain, no more tears - just love for everything and everybody. Just happy, glowing delight praising in His presence with not a worry or care. 

To stand on the edge of all that, as John did in his Revelation writings, looking in, and to think that I couldn’t get to it - because I didn’t have what was needed. There was no one. No way…

Yes, this tears me up.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  - Revelation 5:5

This! This is the certain hope we have! The promise from God that there is rescue, there is sufficient cleansing. Complete forgiveness. Jesus made a way. Jesus victorious on our behalf! Hopelessness turned into certainty. What we couldn’t possibly do for ourselves - God did in love for each one of us. The joys of heaven are in our future. So do not weep. Just believe.

In the beginning

 It’s hard to believe it is March already. Hard to believe Easter is on its way. But it is and it is time to prepare. Not just our tables. But our hearts and minds. It is something we surely must do. Reflect on the reality of what Jesus went through for you and me. And the glorious ending (beginning?)

This event deserves real time and consideration. In the excitement of being on the verge of spring bursting forth all in color and warmth, let us remember the time those flower bulbs and seeds spent in the dark underground to get here. Let us remember the generations of sin, including our own, that created this need for rescue from the dark as well.

We, too, have been in a dark place - spiritually.  Separated from God. Buried beneath the weight of the world. Some, at times, have lost sight of the beauty that lies ahead. Jesus didn’t. Real God and yet real Man too. He felt the darkness of being separated from the Father; buried beneath the weight of sin… He experienced it in real time.

And yet, while times of darkness are a reality, there is also a promise that it will not consume us. 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:5

In the beginning… Genesis 1, there was darkness for a time. But then God….

Seeds planted deep into the darkness of underground for a season. But then God….

As we step into the Lenten season, let us consider and ponder and feel the darkness His faithful followers and Jesus Himself experienced in their “Lenten season” leading to the cross.

But then God…

Every time, God has taken the darkness/death and resurrected something wonderful.

So it shall be again. Just as you have hope in the seeds planted and the coming springtime, also have hope and patient endurance as we walk the Lenten road and journey in remembering all that took place before that glorious resurrection.

 Then Jesus brought them to a garden grove, Gethsemane, and told them to sit down and wait while he went on ahead to pray. He took Peter with him and Zebedee’s two sons James and John, and began to be filled with anguish and despair. Then he told them, “My soul is crushed with horror and sadness to the point of death . . . stay here . . . stay awake with me.” - Matthew 26:36-38 TLB

NEW CARDS! NEW CARD SHOP LAYOUT!

Come and visit the new card shop layout and let me know what you think. I am so excited about the new designs available for spring! Can’t wait for you to see and enjoy them too!

Click the link below!

Love, Julie

 https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

What has to be done today?

 “I need to hurry up and get this done, so I can hurry up and get that done.” Sound familiar? It does to me. And it is often not until I lay my head down at night that I can finally say, “I did all that I could for one day.”

There just always seems to be an endless list of things that have to be done… before I can… what? Relax? Enjoy life? What does that even look like? Do I even know what I am desiring?

This endless list. It will still be there even if I stop for an hour and knit.

It will still be there if I take some time to sit and read.

Still there if you stop to play with grandchildren, or walk on a wooded path.

There will always be something more to do.

But we can not afford to keep trying to somehow eliminate this endless list before we slow down to enjoy life and living.

And the hurrying through! What is that all about? Are there hidden joys I am missing out on, like - 

Taking a little bit longer shower

Reading and then pondering

Enjoying the view out the car window

Smoothing out bedsheets and covers

Sipping coffee, not gulping it

Mindfully putting on versus throwing on

Mindfully picking up versus grab and go

Will any of these actions change the fact that there is an endless list? Well, no. But I believe there is a healing and wholeness that will take place in your spirit and in your view of life. 

Don’t wait to enjoy life.

You have the power to make more things pleasurable.

You have the power to live at a steady forward pace and not a racing, chasing, exhausting, unpleasant one.

Matthew 6:30-34 The Message:

What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Don’t hold your breath or wait to enjoy life until: the weekend, the vacation on the calendar, the end of the school year, or better health and strength. Some empty of “to-do” day. There are always ways and opportunities to enjoy the gifts God is continuously pouring out into every day. That’s what you should fear missing out.

Come to Me all of you who are tired. You are like people who have worked for a long time. You are like people who have carried heavy things. Come to Me. If you do that, you will find a place to rest. - Matthew 11:28 EASY ENGLISH BIBLE

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. - Matthew 11:28 THE MESSAGE

Sing with me

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QsYyuK1w3q0&list=RDQsYyuK1w3q0&start_radio=1

Watch this but also watch for new spring card designs and an all new card shop layout!!!

What does God think about my prayers

 

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19)

Whether you pray for 10 or 15 minutes all in one shot, or pray one-liners throughout the day – do you sometimes wonder … what does it do?

Did it ever dawn on you that prayer, any prayer, delights the Lord your God? One little whisper of thanks, one little whimper for help – and the Lord smiles and delights that you have turned to Him. Think about that for a moment. EVERY prayer you breathe, brings pleasure to the Lord. Oh my …

It is in your humbled state, in your very weakness – in your turning to God … that brings Him joy. He is most happy to listen and hear whatever you have to say. And He wants you to be assured of His love and care. God hears. God will answer. And delights in doing so.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:18) Any kind of prayer. Any and all requests are welcome.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) It’s okay to take every kind of worry to the Lord.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18) Any time. Any place. God is waiting to hear from you.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (James 5:13) In good times and bad, it is always alright to pray to the Lord.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,(1 Peter 3:12) He is watching. He is waiting. To hear from you.

The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:4) This verse reminds us that there is an active, alive spiritual realm at work. You are not alone in your concerns.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26) See how great our God is, providing for us even when we can’t find the words to pray!

Some closing thoughts on the Lord’s delight:

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:10-11)

May your trust and belief bring hope and confidence in the God of perfect wisdom and timing. God bless you today! As you bless Him with your prayers!

Remember when…

 For a few years now, I have been jotting down three (or more) things, good things, that God sent my way each day. It is certainly a peace-giving, love-acknowledging practice to pause and reflect on the goodness of God. I look forward to it. I am eager to slow down and realize His loving presence.

But today, it came to mind to go back and re-read some of those older entries in my praise journal. And I was so profoundly impacted by… well, by God’s continuous flow of such goodness to me. Things I had completely forgotten about that had brought me such pleasure and joy and comfort in their moment. I was re-joyed!

In this life there will be trials and tribulation. Seemingly unending. But there are also many blessings to be enjoyed. Don’t miss them. Pause each day and discover them, realize them - these gifts from the heart and hand of a loving God. And I invite you to jot them down, in a book, or paper calendar, or keep in a jar. And then, revisit them. And be amazed once again…

Feeling a little low? Feeling like God is absent? Here is an opportunity to remember when God… 

… helped before… surprised before… went over the top before.

In a fog? Can’t see clearly?

 

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

There have been times in my life, some seemingly long stretches of time, when I was so bombarded with stresses, pressures, expectations, and decisions to make – I felt like I was in a fog so dense I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face …

o   Wandering so far from God time

o   Going through divorce time

o   Caring for my aging, ailing mother time

o   My cancer diagnosis time

But all these times eventually passed. I sit here this morning in peace. It’s quiet. My bible, my journal, my cup of coffee. My softly snoring kitties by my side. All is well. The pressures I thought would never end – have passed by. At the time, I wondered, couldn’t imagine – a time of such peace. 

Now I don’t know what today will bring. But I know Who stands with me. Like the fog hiding my hand, I know He is there even though I can’t sense Him except by faith. Jesus is right there with you in your current situation too. Know He is there! At some point the fog will be lifted – and you will see face to face. Clearly. Perhaps in the morning. When it’s quiet. Over a cup of coffee.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Need a little light in the darkness?

The Israelites faced the trauma of being caught between the Egyptian armies and the Red Sea … AT NIGHT! How have I been able to read this biblical account so often and not realize it happened at night?

Then the Angel of God, who was leading the people of Israel, moved the cloud around behind them, and it stood between the people of Israel and the Egyptians. And that night, as it changed to a pillar of fire, it gave darkness to the Egyptians but light to the people of Israel! So the Egyptians couldn’t find the Israelis! (Exodus 14:19-20 TLB)

I checked several translations, even KJV, and they all say it happened at night. And I am awed as I envision this.

It was by God’s pillar of light shining from behind them that they saw the waters part and the dry land to walk on - not regular daylight. I imagine a big spotlight, probably so blinding they couldn’t look back, but showing them the way - where there seemed to be no way. No longer seeing what is behind but God calling them forward. 

Are you facing deep waters? Does it feel like night is closing in? Have you, like so many of us, prayed for a way where there seems to be no way? The God Who has controlled darkness and light since the first day (Genesis 1:5) knows what to do now too. He still performs wondrous miracles. He knows how to shine a light on that miracle. He will light the way through for you…

Like the Israelites, don’t look back - take a breath and step out.

Holy hugs

 

Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother he bowed low seven times before him. And then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him; and both of them were in tears! (Genesis 33:3-4)

 Joseph jumped into his chariot and journeyed to Goshen to meet his father and they fell into each other’s arms and wept a long while. (Genesis 46:29)

David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together— (1 Samuel 20:41)

 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

Old Testament. New Testament. And now?

Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. (1 Thessalonians 5:26)

I did some research. In the church’s early years, it was common practice during the worship service to greet one another with, yes, a kiss. It was a sign of relationship with one another. Not just talk about being the family of God, the holy kiss was a sign and a symbol of their love for each other. It was a holy kiss because they truly felt they were brothers and sisters in one big, loved and accepted family of God. The kiss held a deeper meaning - a sign of their unity in Christ.

I am sad that, because of worldly views, this kind of greeting has fallen to the wayside. But these kisses of greeting were also in conjunction with arms around each other. Holy hugs if you will. And I pray we are not afraid to extend that to one another. 

A warm greeting should imply that all are equally loved and accepted - not only by God - but by one other.

Let there be no division among us (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Holy hugs!

Those winter blues

 

(Tap photo to enlarge for better viewing )

Help someone beat the winter blues with one of these great, uplifting new designs! Sure to warm hearts and comfort chilled souls. Now is a good time to lift someone’s spirits. And you can! Suggested messages are now handier than ever. 

From the website page, you can find them here:

From your phone or other device, it may look like this: (just tap on the MOVE TO button)

These cards and more can be found in the card shop. I will include the link below:

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

Words of hope

 I know, I know, all that space in a blank note card can be daunting! You want to express care and concern, but, wow… how?

Did you know you don’t have to fill up all the space? Take a look at the pre-printed cards in your local gift shop. You will often find just a line or two printed in the center.

Did you know that a plain card-shaped envelope tucked in with all the bills and advertisements actually stimulates a favorable emotional response? There is an immediate feeling of excitement, anticipation and surprise.

Just take a look at all these suggestions shown below and see for yourself - how good it feels to be lifted up with a line or two of hope and encouragement.

(Click on the picture to enlarge for better viewing)

It would take less than a minute to write one of these messages in a card. You can imagine the impact because you just felt it yourself by reading through them.

You have someone in mind…

You could change someone’s outlook to the day…

Act on it.

Need a card or two…? Check out my original artwork printed on blank notecards. They, too, will elicit positive vibes for someone. 

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html