A neighbor, a family member – someone could see the faithfulness of God through us today. The expression of this will be as varied as the number of stars in the universe, all for God’s delight and possibly in our total unawareness.

My son was helping me in the kitchen a few days ago and his particular job was to slice up a bell pepper. I had not considered it was his first time doing so and was as astonished at his exclamation as he was at his discovery… it was empty!

With wild wonder he asked me what could have happened?! Even concern that maybe he had done something wrong. I quickly relieved him and our laughter was full.

Isn’t that how it is sometimes though. We can be so unaware that even emptiness is meant to be sometimes. God’s creation and process of creation in us. He looks and sees perfect. He enjoys. Hopefully we don’t miss out on the enjoyment too, or the chance to be “Squanto”.

“Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.” ~ Mother Theresa

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!
Jay & Raynna

P.S. Check out singer/songwriter Christa Wells song, “How Emptiness Sings”. It’s #6 on her website.

” I hear it!  It’s saying ‘Wake Up! Wake Up!’ “

That sounded incredibly close to a quote I had read once from Maimonides symbolizing the meaning of the blowing of the rams horn:

” Rouse ye, rouse ye from your slumber; awake, awake from your sleep, you who mind vanity, for slumber most heavy has fallen upon you. Take it to heart, before whom you are to give account in the judgment.”

I do not claim to know how this all works out and looks like in the day to day. 1 Peter 4:17-19 comes to mind this morning,

It’s judgment time for God’s own family. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message!

If it’s with difficulty that the righteous is saved what will become of the godless man and sinner?
So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. (or entrust yourself to Him) He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.

Suffering seems to be apart of the refining process. We don’t have to have it all figured out. We can simply entrust ourselves to Him. He knows what He’s doing and He’ll keep doing it. Our God is faithful.

Peace to you this Thursday morning friends,

Raynna

LOVING Shaun Groves’, Third World Symphony

Here’s where it comes from in the Bible, Leviticus 23. It’s this chapter in the Bible that most of us Christians have never learned to pay a lot of attention to.

““Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.”
( Leviticus 23:24 ESV )

There’s a Biblical calendar that can still be followed today and tonight marks the first day of it’s seventh month.  From ancient times on this night a ram’s horn trumpet is blown. A thorough study of this holy day would sparkle with the symbolism and depth of meaning of the sounds of this horn breaking through the atmosphere.

A simple thought to grab on to however is this, this sound was a call to remember. To remember our Creator at the end of all, at the beginning of all, in the middle of all, now. Now is an especially holy day, a rhythm created by Creator God in order to echo His song throughout all our days.  Can you hear it?

““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””  ( Psalms 46:10 ESV )

Jesus loves his disciples here in America. Mommas are on my heart lately. Mommas are martyrs, because martyr means witness. They die to self everyday and share in the hardships of Christ in order to witness the life of Christ to their children. (I’m not talking about having a martyr syndrome here.)

Should we undervalue this fellowship? We do, and moms don’t know their worth. But Jesus sees. Lord,  give us eyes to see, affirm the mommas. The enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy across the ocean and here in America. He wants to beat down the mommas and steal the children. God wants us to draw strength from the momma in prison for her faith and know our battle is real too.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows”. – Jesus (Luke12:6-7)

Sending love out to all the mommas – “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” (1Peter4:12&13)

Love,

Raynna

This battle is not always obvious. I think this book by Emily P. Freeman really touches on a major aspect of the battle for many of us women . Grace for the Good Girl.

If you buy the book here … it supports the ministry of The Martyrs Cross, thanks.

Then there’s this, we can do too:
Isaiah 66:1 “God’s message: ‘ Heaven is my throne,
earth is my footstool.
What sort of house could you build for me?
I made all this! I own all this!’
God’s Decree.
“But there is something I’m looking for:
a person simple and plain,
reverently responsive to what I say.”

With much love and prayer for your much blessing!
Raynna

- Saint Francis de Sales

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,

Selah

That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.

Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!”

~ Psalm 67:1-7 ESV

Psalms 67 is often recited daily throughout the days of anticipation and counting from Passover to Pentecost.

It is easy to think this is a prayer our persecuted family would breath beneath breath on a daily basis…

“…that your way may be known on earth, your
saving power among all nations…”

Yet, is it an easy prayer to pray in any of our distress? How desperately we need the strength of realization alive, that this aroma, the fragrance of prayer that arises out of our sacrifice of praise, is pleasant, is life flowing freely.

May God give us ears to hear the testimony, paid with blood and every cost, by those who have gone before us and even now shout courage to us to press on…

“Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”
~ Psalms 66.16-20 NIV

Open hands surely do not mean unbroken hearts…but they are available to grasp
His promise, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ~ Psalms 34.18

Words shrouded in shadows
Dark like a tomb
Blurred by the tears
Burst forth to resurrection life
Amen.

Peace to your hearts,

Raynna

Scripture for meditation: Psalm 66, esp. verses 10-15

A link I found inspiring today: http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Here’s a neat quote from Keren Hannah Pryor’s book, “Taste of Torah”:  pg. 146 & 147

“This period of ‘counting the Omer’ links the celebration of God’s redemption of His people to the commemoration of His revelation to us of His Presence and His Word at Sinai.

To establish a marriage covenant in ancient times, once the bride was chosen the prospective groom paid her father the required ‘ bride- price’. At Pesach (Passover) the precious blood of the Lamb was shed and the great price was eternally paid for the Bride of Adonai (the Lord). The first stage of betrothal is accomplished.

The betrothal ceremony was conducted forty-nine days later, when the prospective groom presented his bride with a written marriage contract, a ketubah. Likewise, Shavuot (Pentecost) is the completion of the Exodus. The betrothal is sealed. “

I think this is so neat, so significant.

Keren goes on later to explain that this period of counting is a time of preparation and nurturing, of careful watching and anticipation of a special meeting with our Beloved, “…when we can offer Him the gift of the first fruits of our labors.” This time is an opportunity to pour out our love toward Him.

Travel on.

Raynna

As we remove yeast from our kitchens, lives, and hearts—
let us remember.

As we gather with families and friends—
let us remember.

As we break the unleavened bread and drink the wine—
let us remember.

While we in our freedom are remembering the Exodus from Egypt and the salvation from sin—
let us remember.

While we in our homes are remembering the God of Israel and the Israel of God—
let us remember.

While we celebrate God’s epic story of redemption through the Messiah Jesus—
let us remember.

Let us remember the untold tales of those in modern slavery.
Let us remember, pray, and do righteousness deeds on their behalf.

Mohammed Hegazy is a courageous man.  Seeking to have his national ID documents legally changed to reflect the fact that he has become a Christian, this former Muslim has recently been denied this chance by an Egyptian court.  In effect, he has been told that he cannot convert, regardless of his personal beliefs.  And I thought that Islam taught that there was no compulsion in religion! 

Please pray for Mohammed, his wife, and  their daughter. Then, please, share his story with others. more…