Ex 20: 30-44

This is a historic day by the world's standard - a royal wedding with all of the hoopla and pomp and circumstances that goes along with it. A wedding that similar to one around 30 years ago offered promise and hope to a nation and a world that believed and trusted in a promise and a vow. We all know how that panned out and what transpired - broken vows, infidelity and the untimely death of Diana. Not that this is wished upon today's couple or any couple but we are imperfect people and the trend is still alarming. My prayers are for Kate and William to be one but more importantly that third strand is Christ - the only true groom.

Still what does have to do with this passage - everything! God was willing to allow her bride to sow her oats and in turn still willing to let her return, under the condition that she truly repented and relented from her wicked and vile ways. Still it was to be done God's way, He was to judge them as He would judge the pagan nations if they would still want to follow the shallowness of their desires. Only after the fire would pure gold be refined and thus the same would have to happen to the Israelites. vv. 40 -44 - represents the wedding and the reception in its purest form - with holiness as the tie that binds. That is truly what is meant by the marriage of "even yoke". God cannot and will not change - He doesn't have to. He is the standard of holiness that we need to ascribe to, not the other way around.

Thanks for all who asked and prayed for me during the feet operation. It all went well even after the pain killers wore off. The most difficult thing for me is to walk on my heels and keep the pressure off the surgically repaired parts of my feet. Never had learned to walk with crutches. Still good to be home for a few days to recover. Appreciated the call from the Meister asking how his dear ol' dad was doing. As I watch the coverage of the wedding conclude, that momentary sense of hope and tranquilty has for now passed reality has now set in - the tragic loss of lives and property with all of the tornadoes and storms that have ravaged this country. My prayers go out to them and their families. It will be good for me to just chill but those who know me acknowledge that that is easier said than done. Still worth a try  - catch up on some old movies.

Praise for Him who died for me and will be my Healer!

Ez 20:13-29 Standing solo on the dance floor

Have you ever want something so much that while you knew it wasn't good for you or just in extreme moderation - you went after it anyway and went after it hard? The eyes are often bigger than the body and that was what happened with the Israelites. They were so blessed that they saw something else that was not beneficial but rather detrimental and in turn binged to the point of no return. They saw something that they thought was better than what they had (greener grass theory) and in turn left the one that brought them to the dance for someone else./ Have you ever been the one that was left on the dance floor alone? Not a good feeling. In fact, it's depressing and brings one to shame and anger. Not only have you spent the time and the dime on this person but now you are left holding the bag and you feel vulnerable, hurt and open. You feel powerless and while you want to strike out at that person or at least blot them from the mind and memory - you can't. There is something about that person that you still hope that you will find a redeeming quality about so that the relationship or some semblance of it can be restored. I love the phone commercial about the two guys on the ski slopes waiting on the lift. One person asks if it is alright to go out with the other person's ex. He says it's ok and finds out that she wanted to go out with his friend while they were still dating. She sends the new guy a video and shows the jilted one. What does he do? He chucks the phone and with it her! Awesome, I laugh at this one every time I see it. It's all about feelings and relationships and doing the right thing. Vows are vows no matter what the circumstances.

God had every right to destroy and dispel the nation of Israel but they bore His name and they were His people. Despite the lack of reverence not only to who He was and what He had done for them, He was and is GOD! He is above all things and is their Creator! He put them into the world and He could take them them out (thanks Bill Cosby). Why bite the hand that feeds you?

Overall, good day yesterday - afterwork social, Mets won (6 in a row), all of my pre-admission stuff was good and Irene and David got to go to a NYY courtesy of Ted Leung and got to meet a photo op with Curtis Granderson. I'm not a NYY fan but this guy is the real deal and I am a fan of his. Most of all got to chat and pray with GG - always a blessing! Today is the day and I am doing laundry while waiting for Irene to come down. After it is all said and done, heading back to NJ and keep off my feet for a few days. Hoepfully, I won't be totally incapacitated and off my feet.

Prayers for Tami's friend and their family and for my peeps.

Praise for today: that He is the Great Physician and Healer!

Ez 20: 1-12

According to one commentary, this chapter is referenced in 591 BC. Some of the elders of Israel came before Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. God spoke to Ezekiel at that time and gave him the words that he should deliver to them and needless to say it was less than inviting. God would not let these rebellious and unrepentant hearts come and "inquire" of Him due to His holiness. He proceeds to say them that nothing that He held sacred (Sabbath) meant nothing to them so why should He even give them the time of day. How true is this for us? We ask without regard to our status and our relationship to the One that desires a relationship and respect. We ask when we run out of options and choices. Can we grieve the Spirit in this manner also?
I pray not since then we have lost all touch with our Father.

Long day yesterday, did the run up to NJ just to have a last minute physical done so I can get this stupid operation behind me. I pray that He will give me His healing hand during this season.

Praise Him for safe and a relatively easy commute last night and for a personal friend/physician and wife that has stuck in the middle of all of this nonsense.

Ez 19

This is a chapter about lineage, power and potential. God told Ezekiel to lament for the princes of Israel and usually when we lament someone and/or something we think of what was, what happened and what could be. I know that is usually the case in sports or politics and even in life. We have so much potential because God gives it to us. Sometimes we take it, sometimes we don't. We also are guilty of believing the hype and "reading our own press clippings" and then we fall and fall hard. We fail to "praise God from whom ALL blessings fllow" and as a result we truly believe that we are the source and the sustainer of our successes and destiny. The princes of Israel were spoken of as lions. The collection of them are called a pride which is ironic since "pride does fall before the man". When we look at ourselves through a mirror, we need to step forward closer because the closer we get, we see the greater the flaws.

Good to speak albeit briefly to GG yesterday. I do think that he is acclimating himself well to his environment and am glad that once he gets his wheels and by having Sundays off, he can worship at a church.

Boy, I hate incompetence! The foot doctors office and the hospital that I am going to on Thursday are ridiculous in their last minute gyrations that they are putting me and my favorite family doctor and loving staff through due to their poor planning. Just hope that it can be solved and that this is not a reflection of things to come on Thursday.

Praise for today: that He is in control whether we acknowledge it or not.

Ez 18

This passage is very appropriately designated as "the soul who sins will die". The Lord deals with the sayings or proverbs of the land, we have them as well for our every day life but these particular ones irks the Lord. He addrss the one in v. 2 by giving very scenarios that will address sin and repentance for a father and a son. The father is righteous but the son is not - the father lives, the son does not. The son has a son who is righteous - the righteous one lives and the sinful father does not. If a wicked man turns from his wicked ways and repents and follows the Lord's commandments - he will live since none of his offenses will be remembered just the righteous ones. If a righteous man turns away from the Lord and commits the same detestable things that a wicked man does, he will NOT live! None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered and he will be guilty and die for the sins that he has committed. The cry against the Lord is that He is unjust but all He wants is our obedience and to make us holy. "Be ye holy, because I am holy" is the NT cry. Janna Long posted a tweet that we are so hung up on His grace and mercy that we overlook His holiness. How true in a world that looks for quick and superficial fixes.

Loved the weekend and the rest despite the lousy weather for most of it. Good weekend for my Metskies but a downer for the Knicks. Still got a chance to chat with GG and spend time with the fam - it's all good!

Praise for today: He has risen and sits on the right hand of God the Father to reign forever and ever, Amen!

Ezekiel 17

Wow, God spoke to Ezekiel and told him to speak to Israel in a parable. I thought that they were only relegated to the NT and from the lips of Jesus. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since Ezekiel was called the "son of man". The parable was about two eagles and a vine. The first one came to Lebanon which took of the top of a cedar tree and planted it in a city of traders in fertile soil. He planted it and became a low spreading vine (like ivy). The other eagle plant one ( it seems from the first one) and was planted in fertile soil but near abundant water where it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a "splendid vine". He was to say to the Israelites from the Lord, "will it survive? will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit and wither and die"? The parable was to show the similarities between the king of Babylon and how he was able to lure the kingdom of Jerusalem so it would remain low and never reach its destiny. Only with the Lord who can provide Living Water will any kingdom or individual truly flourish and prosper (like the man in Ps. 1). He alone can make the tall tree low and the low tree grow tall. The similarities are there between Jerusalem and Judah.

What a remarkable passage. This analogy of trees and vines have been sprinkled around the Bible to remind us that He alone is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the one that dictates and is in control. As we approach the Easter season, the Vine is alive and the branches should rejoice!

Praying for GG as he heads back to CO, still savoring the times we talk, pray and listen to each other. I know that our schedules are not congruent and that there will be times of silence, but at least we both know that we love each other and love Him as well. Finally got my stuff done so I can go to get this foot taken care of and looking forward to the weekend, albeit with lousy weather pending.

Praise for today: that He took that long walk and was mocked, crucified and rose for me!

Ezekiel 16: 53-63

In this section, the Lord will allow the Jerusalem (Israel) and her "friends" to be restored so that all will be shown for their failings and how they are really despised rather than loved and cared for. Then will then bear the consequences of their "lewdness and despicable practices". God will deal with them as they deserve because of the broken covenant. However, the Lord will "remember" His part of the covenant that He made with them in their youth and still despite it all, go forth and establish an "everlasting" covenant with them. Then they will know that He is the Lord. After the atonement for their sin, they will repent and and be reminded of this episode in their lives and remain humble and walk with their Lord.

God did intend an everlasting covenant - the Lord Jesus Christ and gave them this opportunity to return to Him in a more meaningful and permanent way. His death and resurrection was the once and for all, everlasting sacrifice and covenant - the New Testament in His body and blood shed for the remission of all sin! Halleluia, what a Savior! Halleluia, Amen!

Things are progressing towards getting GG more permanently set up there in Denver. I am glad to see him progressing in his maturity and in his responsiblilties. Learning to let go and let God! Still thankful and praiseful for God taking over where I cannot. Prayers also for David and Irene. Still thinking of all those that I meet and have a story and how I can be Jesus to them. Praiseful that several of the young adults in our church are reaching out to those less fortunate than they are and being real to them.

Praise for today: that He is mighty to save!