Safe Passage

There is a parable playing out on the nightly news. Have you seen it? Let's call it The Parable of Safe Passage.

There are lots boats in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman right now. They are all wanting to get from Point A to Point B. Yet very few of them are wanting to go through the Strait of Hormuz. Why not? Because Iran will shoot at them or attack them with speed boats, armed with a 50 cal.

Iran and the U.S. are having a "disagreement" right now. Some are calling it a war while others are referring to it as an "operation." Either way, no one is getting anywhere, oil shipments are being disrupted, and no one is having any fun whatsoever.

How is this a parable? Well . . .

Think of the boats as humans. They too want to get from Point A to Point B, only they call Point B Heaven. Someone doesn't want the humans to get to heaven. That would be Satan. Iran plays Satan's role in this present day parable.

If you've purchased gas for your car recently, it's easy to see the effect this skirmish is have on the world. Gas prices are nearly double what they were last year. Our pocketbooks need a savior. Sadly, there is nobody playing the role of Jesus in this parable.

Without someone to intervene, the fighting will continue, gas prices will remain high, and all of the boats will just continue to float out there with nowhere to go.

Now, imagine this situation going on indefinitely, like for all eternity. That would not be good for anyone. The world needs someone to step in. A man proclaiming "peace and safety" perhaps.🤔

"While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

It will be a false peace.

There are so many "end times" events playing out right now. One would almost think that the end times were upon us.

Well?

And Yet

It's hard to watch the news these days without asking the question, "What's wrong with these people!? They just don't get it!" That question is nothing new.

"Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹²Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables:

‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." - Matthew 13:10-13

Jesus then goes on to say....

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." - Matthew 13:16

What a humbling thing; the knowledge that we, a chosen group of sinners like us, have been given access to the kingdom of God!

And yet, to be clear, ALL are welcome. But few are chosen.

"For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:4

We had communion in our church yesterday. That's always a humbling time. We walk up front and get the little cups of juice and a piece of unleavened bread, then return to our seats. After praying, I put the bread into my mouth, but I don't chew it. Rather, I simply let it disolve. Why? Isaiah 53:5.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

We know it was our sins that placed Him on that cross. And God crushed Him because of those sins. But just the thought of crushing "the bread of life" is something I don't want to be a part of. And yet, I was.

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." - John 6:35

My prayer is that all would come to Christ and be saved. And yet, I am saddened by the knowledge that "the road is narrow" and not everyone will make that choice; some that I know and love. And that truly makes me sad. And yet, the choice is theirs. And God would welcome anyone, right up to the last second of life. Maranatha!

How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Fernando Ortega

Everyone?

This past week, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic church, came out with a statement that said all Catholics should embrace cohabitating couples (i.e. people living together and having sex outside of marriage). Is that biblical? What does the Bible say about this? First, a definition . . .

Fornication - sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other, especially when considered as a sin.

Here's the quote:

"The Church does not close the door to those who struggle on the path of faith, indeed, she throws the door wide open, because everyone 'needs merciful and encouraging pastoral attention' [Amoris Laetitia, 293]," the pope said Monday.

[That's true so far... He goes on...]

"Everyone. Do not forget this word: everyone, everyone, everyone. Jesus said this when those invited to the wedding did not come, and Jesus says: 'Go into the streets and bring everyone, everyone, everyone — But Lord, all the good ones, no? — No, everyone! Good and bad! Everyone, everyone.' Do not forget that word 'everyone,' which is in a sense the vocation of the Church, mother of all."

The Pope referenced a parable told by Jesus found in Matthew 22.

"And again, Jesus spoke to them . . ."

Who is them? Who was Jesus talking to?

"When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that He was speaking about them." - Matthew 21:45

The Bible is all the proof we need.

Jesus goes on in Chapter 22 to the tell His parable. There's a link below so you can read the entire parable if you wish but here's Bob's condensed version.

Jesus didn't invite 'everyone' into heaven, as the Pope claims. The word 'everyone' that the Pope used so many times in his statement is not even found in the text. At least the ESV that I used.

"But they (the Pharisees and religious leaders) paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another town his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them." - Matthew 22:5-6

Who are Jesus' servants here? They are disciples. Let's continue reading.

"The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find." - Matthew 22:8-9

The 'invited' were the Pharisees and religious leaders who refused to hear Jesus' teaching. And the text doesn't say 'everyone' as the Pope claims. It says, 'as many as you can find.' These are the Gentiles.

From my MacArthur study Bible:

'This illustrates the free offer of the Gospel, which is extended to all indiscriminately.'

Conclusion?

The Pope does not know his Bible. Shame on him - the leader of his flock. He is a false teacher. His fate will be worse that those he is leading in the wrong direction. I'm no Biblical scholar either but at least I read and study my Bible. So should the Pope.

If you are a member of the Catholic church, I encourage you to leave it. Trust in the Lord and in His Word. Do not listen to mere men, including me. Trust God.

Jesus ends His parable with these words...

"For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:14

Matthew 22

Pope Francis Article

The Parable Parable

Each week I publish three of these stories. Sometime they're so-so. Other times I think they're wonderful. But they are always about God.

The thing about these stories, and about the parables of Jesus, is that not everyone is receptive to the message, or the subject. Either people don't care about Jesus, or the good news of the Gospel, or they love it!

"This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ - Matthew 13:13:15

I don't expect everyone to read these stories, just like Jesus KNEW that not everyone would receive HIS message. So, why do I bother writing them?

For me, I can't help but write. I see God at work in so many things around me. I simply just write it down. Easy. Writing stories about God is an act of worship for me. I use a gift that I have been given to me by God and I use it for His glory.

God knows that not everyone will respond to His message. He knew that not everyone would listen to His prophets. Not that I am a prophet. Hardly. But we are all servants of The Most High God.

When something pops into my head, I simply write it down. It's my e-journal. This story is an example of that. It was written at 2:00 AM.

Recently, I wrote a story that I thought was absolutely wonderful. I was so excited to share it. Yet, when I did so, hardly anyone read it.

Doesn't that hurt? A little. But I don't write these stories for MY glory, but for God's. There are plenty of writers who are more eloquent than me. More talented. But I am compelled to write. I can't NOT write.

There are over 1,760 stories in this blog. The topics may vary, but the subject never changes. Like the old Bryan Adams song says, "Everything I do, I do it for you."

If you are reading this, I thank you. I appreciate you. As for me, now that I have these thoughts all written down, I'm going back to bed.

The Parable Code

In the tribulation period that is to come, the Bible tells us that there will be persecution and trials like we have never seen.

"You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew 24:9-13

With the rise of A.I., and it's ability to scan billions of emails, how will Christians communicate with one another without inviting persecution?? Perhaps a simpler form of communication will be required.

"Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground." - John 8:6

That's good, but people passing by can still read what we write. And the people we would be communicating with will be right there with us. Perhaps some sort of code....

During World War II the United States military used Navajo soldiers to conceal their messages. In 2002, Hollywood made a movie about them called Wind Talkers.

The Navajo language was an ingenious way of secretly communicating because the enemy had no idea what it was.

Check this out. It's a code. Can you figure out what it says? The 'key' is literally right in front of your face.

%[# >@ )[:÷

There is a super-secret code available to use. You've used it already but you didn't even know it. It's the Parable Code. But you have to be a believer in Jesus Christ to decode any messages. And THAT is something that artificial intelligence cannot understand. God's Holy Spirit is our interpreter.

"This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." - Matthew 13:13

Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear?

Hidden In Plain Sight

God is pretty good at hiding things. Sometimes the most amazing things can be hidden right in front of our faces yet we cannot see them. Why is that?

"Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that,

“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” - Mark 4: 9-12

Jesus often spoke in parables. Only those who had received "the Kingdom of God" could understand them. But even at that, Jesus STILL had to explain them sometimes. To everyone else it was like Jesus was just telling stories. They couldn't understand the hidden meaning - "hearing but never understanding."

There is a common phrase in today's language - "Thinking outside of the box." Do we do that? Rather than look at things the normal way, do we search for ALL the possibilities? All the meanings?

A friend of mine recently changed jobs. It was rather stressful, but that was only because my friend wasn't thinking outside of the box. All my friend could think about was himself and his situation. He wasn't thinking that God was placing him in this new job so God could use him as a witness in someone else's life.

Do we search for all of life's possibilities in our prayers? In our work life? At school? Maybe that needs to be our prayer from now on. Instead of praying for a list of things we want perhaps we could try something like this.

Father, today, as I walk through this place, give me eyes to see the things You want me to see. Help me to understand what it is that You want me to do for you. I want to serve you! And I don't want to miss anything you are asking of me. Help me hear you in the whisper of the wind. Help me do Your will, Lord. For Your glory. Amen.

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." - 1 Kings 19:12-13

In The Whisper - Christy Nockels

Sowing Tears

One of the things I have enjoyed most since I retired back in March is having more time to read. I never was that much of a reader before, but since I have had time to do things and I find myself reading The Bible more than I ever have before.

One thing I like about reading through the Bible is, no matter how many times I have read through it, I am still discovering new things. Like Monday morning for example, reading the Parable of The Sower.

I have read that parable countless times. I could probably tell you the parable if you asked me about it. So could you. But the Gospel of Luke offered up something new this week, at least for me. Words I don't remember reading before. They're in verse eight. And they're different, depending on which translation you read.

I've read through the Bible five or six times using the NIV translation. I am now reading through the Bible again using the NKJV. Look at the difference. First the NIV.

"8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” - NIV

"8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” - NKJV

This change of wording jumped right off the page at me. When I rad "He cried" I was thinking actual tears. I checked out other translations.

ESV - he called out.
NASB - he would call out.
KJV - he cried.

Which is it then?

So I looked and found an on-line Greek - English Interlinear Bible. The answer is, it's neither. The key word is ephonei - which translates as "he sounded or he shouted". You can read the interlinear verses for yourself here.

Still, when I read "He cried" I wondered if it didn't truly have TWO meanings - first He shouted of course, but then also He cried. Why both meanings? Read verses 11-15 of the same chapter. Jesus explains.

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience." - Luke 8:11-15

Of the four types of people in the parable, only one type is saved. Three quarters will be lost.

I guess I'd cry too, AND shout "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

The Parable of The Sower Explained - Pastor Greg Laurie

The Parable of The Tree Frog

Life lessons are available to be learned simply by opening our eyes to the world around us. Canadian geese for instance are a good example of marriage. One couple, mated for life, raising their children together for life in the cold, dangerous world. I learned something from a tree frog this week. It's essential for living a Christ-centered life.

When I first encountered my little friend I was removing a tarp from the tiny home I am building. There he was right under the tarp, sitting on top of one of the windows. He sat there motionless for some time then, as I began to work nearby, he slowly crept away until he hid himself under some leaves.

There was the life lesson. Did you catch it? Let me explain.

Consider the lesson from the frog's viewpoint. There he was, right where he wanted to be. All safe, secure, and out of sight from his enemies. He was probably sleeping when suddenly his whole world changed. Where once it was dark, now there was blinding light. His security was gone, replaced by a feeling of impending doom. He was in danger! So, what did he do?

He left his current location, seeking a much more secure one. He didn't stop until he found that place of safety. And that is our lesson for the day.

When we find ourselves in danger or in a situation where we feel we might sin against God, we should do the same thing the tree frog did. Leave. Leave the situation for a more secure location at the foot of the cross.

So many young people today find themselves in "situations". They feel trapped but they don't leave. They give in to the sin. A girl becomes pregnant or a young under-age boy takes a drink and then drives. What should we do in those real life dangerous situations?

One word. Run!!

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." - Proverbs 27:12

Run To You - Bryan Adams
Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd

The Parable of The Sower

Flashing lights - reds, blues and yellows - painted the faces of those who were there. How did I get here? Where are all of my friends? Where's my phone?!

Someone came up to me and stuck a flashlight in my eyes. Seriously?

"My name is Michelle, I'm here to help you. Do you have any pain?"

"No." (Just the annoying flashlight you're sticking in my face.)

"Where's Abby?"

The lady didn't answer. She just smiled and walked off. What the heck is going on here?

Someone else walking up to me now . . . a cop . . . and another flashlight. What is with you guys and your flashlights?!?

"Hi. How ya doin' kid?"

"Fine."

"I'm Officer Oaks but you can call me Daryl. Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure"

"Can you describe for me exactly what happened? Who was driving the car?"

"Umm, Lizzy was. Where is she? Is she alright?"

"Lizzy is fine, Miss . . . Logan. How did your night begin?

"I . . . I don't remember."

"When did you first get in the vehicle tonight."

"After school, I guess. We were going some place. Umm, youth group. We were going to Abby's youth group."

"Okay. What did you do there?"

"Some lady was talking. Destiny . . . something. Everyone called her Dee Dee."

"Okay. Anything else you remember?"

"Yeah. She was talking about Jesus. She was really excited. A little TOO excited, if you know what I mean."

"That's nice Miss Logan. When did you leave your youth group?"

"Oh, wait. Something else happened. Something happened when Dee Dee was talking. She asked us about our faith . . . our relationship with Jesus. Abby didn't want to hear it and wanted to leave. Lizzy did too. Abby was KIND of interested but not really. It was her youth group after all. And Lizzy . . . she really did not want to hear what Dee Dee was saying. But Chanel was really into it. Then something happened."

"What's that, Ma'am?"

"Please, call me Ali. I ain't no ma'am."

"What happened to . . . Chanel, is it?"

"Yeah, This lady, Dee Dee, was talking and she was really excited about Jesus. She was telling us all about sin and repentance and how we needed to KNOW Jesus and ask Him to forgive us. I don't know. Maybe you should ask Miss "Destiny.""

"We will ma'am. I mean . .  Ali. What happened then?"

"Well, one of Abby's youth leaders came over to us . . . Maddy was her name."

"Yes?"

"Well Maddy and Chanel went off in the corner and talked all night. Then Chanel started crying and Maddy gave her a hug. They talked some more and prayed I guess. It kinda looked that way."

"And then?"

"And then we left. Chanel really wanted to go some place. So we left."

"Where did you go then?

"DQ. Hey, can I get something for my head? It's really pounding."

"Sure. Hey, Jenny! Jenny!! Can you bring this kid something for her head? Thanks."

"Sure."

"So what happened at Dairy Queen?"

"Chanel wanted to tell her friend Josee something. Josee works there. She and Josee were talking all excited like. They both started jumping up and down and hugging each other. Weird. Anyway, then we took off for the Truck Stop."

"Busy night. And what happened there?"

"What ALWAYS happens there, we sat in the corner booth and ordered coffee and fries. Then Chanel started telling Judy, she's our waitress, she started telling her all about what had happened at the youth group. Then Judy got all excited. I've never see her excited like that. She was slopping coffee everywhere! And I didn't think they even knew each other! But it was almost like they were related. Weird."

"And then?"

"Well, we got in the car . . . and . . . . that's the last thing I remember. Lizzy wanted to do something else and Abby was all for that. Lizzy was kind of mad actually. I just wanted to be out of the car. Then Lizzy started yelling at Chanel. Is that lady ever gonna get me those pain meds?"

"Sorry. Hey Jenny!! You can talk to Officer Ed later. This kid needs those pain meds. Okay, You said Lizzy was driving the car, right Ali?"

"Yeah. Chanel and I were in the back seat, She was calling her mom. Umm, that's Kathy, if you're taking notes."

"I am. Go on."

"Yeah. I remember Lizzy leaning into the backseat, grabbing for Chanel's phone . . . tryming to make her stop."

"And then? What happened next?"

"That's it. I was in the car and now . . . I'm here. Hey, is that Lizzy's car?!? Oh, wow! Lizzy?? LIZZY!!!!!"

"Hey, HEY!! Settle down. Take is easy. Lizzy is alright. She's got a concussion and we think she has a broken arm but she's okay."

"And Chanel? Where is SHE? Officer Daryl? Where is Chanel?"

* * * * *

All that happened over a year ago now. I still can't believe she's gone. I never saw Lizzy again after graduation. Abby neither. They both just kind of drifted away. I still see Chanel's mom though. Maybe I should call her Auntie Kathy because that's what she feels like to me.

I miss Chanel SO much. She was so excited to tell other people about her new-found faith and what had happened to her that night. I almost wanted to believe it myself but I'm . . . I'm just not sure. Still, there was something in what Dee Dee said that night. I can even remember it.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Hmm. Not perish? Eternal life? Maybe Chanel isn't really dead then. Maybe that means . . . she's just with Jesus.

* * * * *

"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” - Matthew 13:1-23

Thanks to those who allowed me to use their names in this short little story. I will be writing more of these in the future. Stay tuned . . . and blessed be the name of the Lord!

Cake

Last fall when our grandson celebrated his first birthday my wife and I were invited to his birthday celebration. It was an intimate little gathering. Maybe, oh, 25-30 people!

Our grandson got lots of presents. He didn't really care about the gifts all that much but he sure like tearing up the wrapping paper. And the tissue paper? Forget about it!

All the adults had their snacks and beverages of various kinds and there was a lot of laughter. But our grandson wasn't getting as much satisfaction. He had some Goldfish crackers and a tippy cup with some milk in it but that was about it. That's when his mom brought out . . . the big cake!

Everybody was excited to see the cake. Everybody except our grandson. He actually had no idea what it was. He'd never seen one before. Suddenly his mom was taking off his shirt and putting him in the high chair. He did NOT want to be in that chair!

Then our grandson's mom put a piece of cake on the tray in front of him. Nope! Not interested. He spent more time dismantling it than tasting it. Even when his mom put a fork full of cake up to his lips he refused. He turned his head from side to side. ANYTHING to keep that cake away from his mouth. But then mom scored a direct hit and got some of the frosting on his lips. That's when our grandson's life-long opinion about cake changed.

He opened up his mouth like a little bird and in went the first piece of cake our grandson had ever eaten. Guess what? He really liked it and wanted more! And forget about the fork. Let's just grab big handfuls of cake and shove them in!

Oops! It looks like, what with all the excitement about eating cake, some of our grandson's cake accidentally dropped some onto the floor, into his lap, onto his chair. So much cake had found a new place to hide that, after he was done "eating" his cake, it was time to take a bath!!

It didn't occur to me until this week, some six months later, just what a wonderful example this real-life cake eating event was. A perfect example of our walk with Christ.

First, The Parable of the Grandson and the Piece of Cake. How like each of us and our relationship with Jesus. Our reluctance to repent, to seek God's forgiveness, and to make Jesus Lord of our lives, is exactly where our grandson before he got a taste. We fight so hard for our independence from "religion" and "surrender" that we never stop to think it could be the best thing we've ever had. Surrendering is difficult for many. It's contrary to how most of us were raised.

"8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalm 34:8

But once we do surrender, once we do repent of our ways and turn to Jesus, it's like our grandson and that first taste of cake. The taste was sweet and he desired more. Our grandson became excited about his cake, just as we became excited when we first came to believe.

Remember our hunger for The Word? Remember all of the books we bought? We desired anything and everything we could get our hands on. Anything that had to do with Jesus. We were voraciously hungry!!

The second simile that occurred to me from this, the Great Cake story, was The Parable of the Wise Parents. The "coming out" party was pre-planned, well ahead of time. They knew our grandson was going to make a mess out of things. They had everything all figured out. And so it is with God. He already knows we're going to deny Him just like Peter did. He already knows how messy we're going to make things in our lives. Yet he loves us and takes care of our every need.

"11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, I almost forgot. There is one more similarity between our grandson's first birthday party and the eating of his first birthday cake. It's what happened AFTER he ate the cake. His mess was cleaned up. There wasn't even a hint of cake left! Our grandson was washed clean just like we were when WE came to believe. May it be so in the lives of our children and our children's children.

Thank you Lord for loving us despite our messiness. Thank you for calling us to yourself, though our lives might be filled with crumbled cake on our faces. Thank you for washing us clean through the sacrifice of your Son. It is nothing that WE have done, Lord. It's all you. We thank you and praise you, in your holy and matchless name. Amen.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." - Psalm 51:1-3