Momma Mia

January 15, 2016

Maria Herzig was born on December 30, 1929 in Shuen Ecken, Germany - a tiny village in the Eiffel Mountains. She immigrated to the USA as the bride of Willis Earl Alley, a farmer from Arkansas and a Corporal in the US Army.  Earl paid the Herzig family two cartons of cigarettes and a few pounds of coffee for the privilege of making Maria his wife. As a new bride Maria looked forward to a new life in America, away from the bloody mess of war and from the sadness and shame of being a fatherless child in the 1920's.  Her husband spoke German fluently and he was a communications expert during World War II. 

Earl typed military code at lightning speed, but his ability to decipher Maria's emotional needs was understandably lacking.

Arriving to the USA as a previous Hitler's youth to a southern gentry family with roots in Arkansas, Maria met with a lavish amount of disapproval. Brigham Young University analyzed massive data and concluded that social isolation was as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, or being an alcoholic. Isolation proved to be twice as harmful to a humans survival than obesity. A vast accumulation of research indicates that the root cause of heart disease and stress comes from feeling isolated.   "Fear of Intimacy" by

Maria Herzig age 7

Robert Firestone, PHD and Joyce Catlett reveals that emotional neglect in a person's childhood leads one to avoid becoming transparent in any loving relationship.  The sad, earnest seeker for connection is fully aware that life is precious, but they fear that the sting of abandonment is eminent, as death is inevitable. The lonely often display an intolerance of touchy, feely affection that is clinically noted in all family relationships.  Research confirms that the "seeker" of adoring attention maintains a negative self-portrait which is projected onto her family.  The connection Maria had to her core being accelerated in the

Maria age 17

latter years of her life.  Consequently, her lifelong quest to "feel" connected and loved by her children and others improved.  Maria came to accept the temporal nature of life and began to invest her passions fully at the end.   With a weak heart, Maria Crane suffered a stroke on March 2 and slipped away into an eternal slumber on March 3, 2016 .  Maria Crane was a well loved woman around the globe, even by people she never met face to face ---- because of her great compassion towards the broken-hearted, as a sensitive soul, Maria Crane poured out love in emails to people who shared her spiritual beliefs.  "Sensitive people are the most genuine and honest people you will ever meet. There is nothing they won't tell you about themselves if

they trust your kindness. However, the moment you betray them, reject them or devalue them, they will end the friendship. They live with guilt and constant pain over unresolved situations and misunderstandings. They are tortured souls that are not able to live with being unwanted or being rejected. This type of person needs the most love anyone can give them because their soul has been constantly bruised by others. However, despite the tragedy of what they have to go through in life, they remain the most compassionate people worth knowing and the ones that often become activists for the broken-hearted,

forgotten and the misunderstood. They are angels with broken wings that only fly when loved." ― Shannon L. Alder -- An entire chapter in a book entitled "John of God and the Casa of Love" was dedicated to her work in Brazil.  She is survived by her son Ben Alley, daughters Mary Dinkel, and Barbara Hoyle.  Her grand children David Bartlett, Jason Newell, Blake Alley and Eric Alley.  Maria

Crane requested to be remembered for her service to God. "Stuff that needs to be said" is reflected in this piece shared among her children. It was written by John Pavolitz: "On the day I die, a lot will happen. A lot will change. The world will be busy.  On the day that I die, all the important appointments I made will be left unattended. The many plans I had yet to complete will remain forever undone.  The calendar that

ruled so many of my days will now be irrelevant to me. All the material things I so chased and guarded and treasured will be left in the hands of others to care for or to discard. The words of my critics which so burdened me will cease to sting or hurt me anymore. They will be unable to touch me. The arguments I believed I'd won here will not serve me or bring me any satisfaction or solace.  All my noisy incoming notifications and texts and calls will go unanswered. Their great urgency will be quieted.  My many nagging regrets will all be resigned to the past,

where they should have always been anyway.  Every superficial worry about my body that I ever labored over; about my waistline or hairline or frown lines, will fade away. My carefully crafted image, the one I worked so hard to shape for others here, will be left to them to complete anyway. The sterling reputation I once struggled so greatly to maintain will be of little concern for me anymore.  All the small and large

anxieties that stole sleep from me each night will be rendered powerless.  The deep and towering mysteries about life and death that so consumed my mind will finally be clarified in a way that they could never be before while I lived.  These things will certainly all be true on the day that I die.  Yet for as much as will happen on that day, one more thing that will happen. On the day I die, the few people who really know and truly love me will grieve deeply.  They will feel a void.  They will feel cheated.  They will not feel ready.  They will feel as though a part of them has died as well.  And on that day, more than anything in the world they will want more time with

me.  I know this from those I love and grieve over.  And so knowing this, while I am still alive I'll try to remember that my time with them is finite and fleeting and so very precious—and I'll do my best not to waste a second of it.  I'll try not to squander a priceless moment worrying about all the other things that will happen on the day I die, because many of those things are either not my concern or beyond my control.  Friends, listen to what the Spirit is saying! Those ridiculous worries about what others think keep us from truly living in the moment. Striving for attention, or competing for affections  rob us of the joy of this unrepeatable, uncontainable, ever-evaporating NOW!

Be alert, and pay attention to those God placed in your life and LOVE them. Love them face to face or from afar.  Don't miss the chance to dance and laugh with them in person, on the phone, or on Facebook! All communication speaks the truth, it says "I care, and I love you"  It's easy to waste so much daylight in the days before we die. What we think matters steals so much of our moments! On

the day we die,nothing at all will matter one bit!  Yes, you and I will die one day.  But before that day comes: let us choose to LIVE with wild abandon of any imaginations of a reputation ruined because of our expressed passion for one another!  Maria was the only child of Barbara Herzig who was unable to take care of her.  Maria was immediately adopted and raised by her three aunts in Shuen Ecken.  She worked in the family coffee shop and read books as they were made available.   From a very young age it was clear that Maria possessed a passion for learning.  As a child, Maria lived in a rural part of Germany. She was only ALLOWED to help at the family store when no customers were there. Sadly she remembered being hidden in a closet when the small village customers arrived as she was the shame of the Herzig family. 

During World War II, Maria was forced to march in Hitler’s youth and her job was to bury the dead horses.  Shortly after May 7, 1945 Maria married Willis Earl Alley, a US Army Intelligence Officer.  Her first born Joseph Bennett (Ben) Alley arrived in 1949, followed by her first daughter Maria Jeanette (Mary Jane) born in 1950, followed by her last child Barbara Sue born in 1951.  Maria spent much of her

married life in Stockton, California where she worked as a secretary for Alley Insurance.  She was able to travel back to Germany to visit family and friends often.   Her changed life as a mother and wife in the United States was noted by her peers and family in Germany. When she met her husband Earl, she hoped that her life would drastically improve, but moving to a new country proved to be stressful.  Maria divorced the father of her children and lived and worked as a secretary for many years in California before she returned to Europe to work in the library of the

America House in Brussels.  James Crane, the Director was persistent in his pursuit to date Maria.  She told us with a smile, "Jim stood on his head in front of my desk until I said I would go to dinner with him!" Jim quickly proposed and they traveled to Ireland and were married at Gretna Green. After many years travelling together, James and Maria settled in Santa Rosa, California.  Maria took up

painting and delighted in her new passion.  Maria took care of Jim while he lived with Parkinsonism.  Jim died in 2002 and in 2003 Maria traveled to Brazil to learn more about John of God. She moved to Brazil to work at The Casa De Dom Inacio as a healer.  Maria moved back to the USA and settled into the university town of Rohnert Park, California where she acquired many new friends.  In October 2014 Maria returned to the Casa for a short visit with her long time friend

Dick Selby.  Dick dedicated chapter 5 of his  book entitled “John of God and the Casa of Love” to our beloved mother.  Maria was predeceased by her mother Barbara Herzig, and both husbands Earl Alley and James Crane.  All her children shall forever treasure many fond memories of various adventures with their ever eccentric, but beloved Momma Mia!   She was affectionately referred to as “Momma Mia” because of her whimsical ways and because her German family called her “Mia”.  QUOTING MARIA “When I was 73 years old, I arrived at the Casa and John of God took my hand, looked into my eyes and said  ‘I want you to be a daughter of the Casa’. Later that same day John asked me to give a talk on love, which I did.”  Psalm 68:5 "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." Deuteronomy 10:18 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing." You are loved Momma Mia by our heavenly Father, and the kids you brought into this world, and so many more in Brazil, Germany, New York, Chicago and India.

Honest Laments

An honest lament grieves that the world is unbalanced.  It mourns the death of a parent, spouse or a child.  It rages about the injustice and lack of fairness in this life.  It grieves the GAP between reality and God's promises.  Our honest laments engage God's compassion and they do not cause us to be judged.  Ambiguous in our human nature, we are highly uncertain, and at best, doubtful - that God would understand any lament that challenges His faithfulness.  When we encounter the good, the bad, and the ugly side of this life, as humans we tend to elevate the bad and we miss the good. Life is hard, and the book of James tells us that when we suffer, we are to pray, and when good times roll in, we are to pray, and talk to God and praise Him in all things. Our Father knows our hearts and He honors our tears, struggles, and our times of trouble. Our Father never said life on earth was going to be easy.  He has never exaggerated the pain He suffered, nor did He deny that we will suffer.  The Bible, His Story, God's word tells us pure, unvarnished truth.  Our Father does NOT desire that His children fully understand why He had to send His Son Jesus, but more importantly God wants us to fully embrace Jesus as the One that we can always relate to because of His suffering, His many sacrifices and His eternal love. Imagine yourself as a tree living in a huge forest.  Growing up tall and strong, you looked to heaven and reached for the stars with great

hopes for your future.  Yet, in your youth, the axe of unkind words and unexpected hardships cut you down.  God's word says "For there is hope in a tree" When we feel there is no hope we can find God in our midst encouraging us "If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease."  Job 14:1-9 - We must see, that our roots connects us to the Truth, the Way, and the Life. Our tenacious roots will NOT cease to seek the living water. We need but a tiny taste, a filling, and a renewing by the ever present, indwelt Holy Spirit. "Though its roots may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet --- at the scent of water it will bud" Job 14:8 -- In the book of RUTH we find many hard lessons about loss, pain and God's unique way of responding to the many trials we have here on earth.  IMPORTANT: It is okay to express anger during dark times.

God understands our pain and He wants us to be honest, and weep and pray. When we earnestly ask "Why oh Lord?" and when we read the psalms, our nostrils may flare at the scent of living water as hope begins to sprout up in our stumped souls again!  It is important to cling to the Truth and not listen to the Liar who rushes to destroy our hope in Jesus.  Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 " I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.  For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases." The IMPORTANT truth is that your crys have been heard, you have not been forsaken or forgotten! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is NOT from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 - So in our human

fragile faith, we are weakened, and in the midst of that very weakness, God is strong.  Naomi lost her husband and both sons and she could not stop crying and feeling that God had turned against her.  Her daughter-in-law Ruth sat with her and grieved right along with her. Naomi laments "Call me Mara for the Lord has brought me back home empty.  I am bitter and God has made me this way!"

Naomi's tone is blunt as it explodes in the ears of her friends in Bethlehem. Naomi is real and she does not mask or attempt to hide her sorrow.  She is raw and authentic before God and NOT a hypocrite.  She was not being cynical, but she was exposing her broken heart.  Ruth chose to sacrifice her hope to find a new husband and she accompanied Naomi back to her hometown of Bethlehem.  As we love the people God has placed in our lives, the texture of Jesus emerges in us as we offer compassion to those that are grieving. Steadfast love is another translation for the Hebrew word Hessod. Hessod love combines sacrifice with commitment.  It is a love that has NO EXIT at the sign of trouble. Ruth bound herself to Naomi, for better or for worse. Naomi was bitterly cranky and snorted harsh words towards Ruth and anyone who attempted to give her comfort.

There is absolutely nothing fair about Hessod love!  It is totally unbalanced, and it is the very way God loves us.  When believers of God and followers of Jesus loose their temper and feel slighted, or when life throws us painful circumstances, we raise our fists towards God, and we weep because of life's persistent injustices --- CONSIDER THIS: Does God turn His back on us when we are mad, sad, sick, injured or troubled? Certainly NOT! Hessod love stubbornly continues and it is steadfast regardless of our feelings, moods, actions, silence or circumstances.  Hessod love eliminates moodiness and it loves regardless of anger expressed by a silent treatment or by a raised tone of voice!  Loud voices or the slamming of doors does not prevent or deter the Hessod love of Jesus towards His people.  Many times angry, bitter people allow dark

moods to develop when their expectations are not met and they begin to selfishly behave as if their mood does not impact the people around them.  Ruth most assuredly winced and weeped as she witnessed Naomi's inconsolable grief --- but she did not withdraw her Hessod love.  "Your God will be my God" Ruth 1:16 - No matter how you act Naomi, I am devoted to you and where ever you go, I will go!  Ruth chose to not go home to her parents, or to remain the same, as she always was, or as her parents taught her. She was willing to forsake the beliefs instilled as a child and adopt the living Hope of God among us! Hessod love is unconditional.  It consistently acts on its loyal commitment to love imperfect, sad, or difficult people.  Life is moody, feelings come and go, pressures rise and fall, and our many passions are like the wind.  You cannot know or see emotions that will rise with ongoing difficult trials. When life hits us hard it is easy for us to withdraw our faith in God. Our religious sense towards a suffering sister or brother in Christ is to theologize and say "God is in control" but we may also silently doubt if God is truly watching, listening or caring about those that are in a valley of pain.   God responds to Naomi's pain filled accusation that He brought this upon her, by giving her the committed, sacrificial love of Ruth.  Our loving Father God responds likewise today.  He places people in our lives that show us compassion, mercy, and grace by word and actions.  Pray this "Lord give me Thine eyes that I may see all the good in my life and give Thee thanks for it."  AMEN

SUPERNATURAL GRACE

Do you define Grace as something you have personally known, or in terms of what you have read or been taught by a human? Understanding what grace is requires a listening heart, that has been imploded with the Presence and power of God.  Holding oneself to a standard of GRACE, requires the supernatural GRACE bestowed by the indwelt Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus to reveal who God is and learn GRACE from the Messiah who is full of GRACE. "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."  John 1:16 -- "No one knows the Son except the Father, and NO ONE knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" Matthew 11:27---Paul writes "The GRACE of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with FAITH and love that are IN Christ Jesus." 1Peter 1:14--Therefore it is wise to surrender all we know and allow the GRACE of Jesus to replace what we have previously believed ....with the TRUTH of what GRACE actually is. IF we admit our need of a better way, ....Jesus will give us new life. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." John 4:34 ~ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  "The very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form,  nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not BELIEVE (trust) the One He sent. You study the

Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me (the Messiah) to have life." John 5: 36 ~ MORE TRUTH: "His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.  He has a name WRITTEN on Him that NO ONE knows but He Himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God."  Revelation 19:12-14 NIV -  The eyes of Jesus blaze like fire as He pierces the soul and knows each heart. Jesus wears many crowns, the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father, and He is the promised Holy Spirit whom shall never forsake, mislead, or misinform those who fully submit to His grace, His wisdom, His power, His authority over all knowledge gained aside from His. Jesus issues supernatural GRACE.  Jesus as God does NOT possess love, or have love in His heart, He is Love, He is compassion, He is grace. God loved us first and His

greatest command is for us to love ourselves and one another as our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us ~ full of grace, consistent in compassion, understanding, patience and mercy.  He who knows all, Who knows the hearts of each man, Jesus Christ asks us "Do you love me?" If you love Me, follow Me. Submit to Me alone and be humble and care more for what I say than the scholars.  Feed the hungry hearts the truth as I reveal it to you. Do not hide the Light within you. Be patient, be kind, be merciful.  Jesus asked Peter three times "Do you love Me?"  Do you love Jesus above your academics, accomplishments,  more than your pet, your team, your parents, your work, your friends?  Do you accept that Jesus died so that you could spend eternity in heaven with Him?  Can you love somebody you do not know?  Do you believe and have faith in the unseen  Jesus? Do you believe that the Person of the Holy Spirit is just like Jesus?  Truth is: God in the Person of

Jesus came down to earth to walk and talk to those who had a hard time believing in an unseen God.  Jesus told us the truth, that He had to die, then rise again so that the Holy Spirit could come and be with everyone, everywhere, at the same time. Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me only, but in the one who sent Me." John 12:44 ~ "Take the (mind of Christ) helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Ephesians 6:17 ~ The Sword of the Spirit is the living Word of God.  The first CHURCH - a group of people who followed Jesus, who watched him perform miracles, a band of twelve disciples walked, talked and lived with Jesus for three years.  The followers of Jesus, those who properly feared and respected the Lord,  these believers were greeted by Him when He suddenly appeared in His glorified, resurrected body ~ saying "Peace be with you", these men gathered along with a group of people that spoke various languages...for His mighty high purpose.

Acts 2:1- "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." " how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? AMAZED and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made gun of them and said, 

"They have had too much wine....Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the

prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says,  I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,  I will pour out my Spirit in those days ...And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold

on Him."  Acts 2:1-17 ~ Jesus our Lord, King of Kings, and blessed Savior, defeated death.  He walked out of the tomb and appeared before eleven disciples.  Peter who had denied Jesus three times was struck speechless and silently left to go fishing and think about what he had just saw!  A risen Christ, the Messiah, his friend for three years, the one Peter remorsefully denied following or ever knowing. A few weeks after Pentecost (the Hebrew translation of Pentecost is a new beginning) a follower of Jesus named Stephen was stoned to death because he would not deny Jesus as Lord.   Acts 7:58-60 Jews who believed in God stoned a man named Stephen. Stephen "calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."  Saul was a

respected student of the Old Testament, the Word of God. By divine design, Saul heard Stephens last words, his cry out for God to forgive the spiritually blind men who were killing him. Stephens faith in Jesus Christ impacted Saul. Soon after Stephens death, Paul had a personal encounter with the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Acts 9:3  " suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me."  The highly respected student of the living Word, Saul was then struck physically blind.   Acts 22:7-9 "I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "‘Who are you, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, 

whom you are persecuting,' He replied. (keep reading Acts) My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of Him who was speaking to me." ‘What shall I do, Lord?'  "Get up, the Lord said and go to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been ASSIGNED to do." Paul fasted and prayed. Acts 22:15-16 "You will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.  And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.' Acts 9:18 ~ " Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized."  Paul, the converted Jewish leader preached in synagogues in Damascus, in Arabia, in Jerusalem, Taurus, and Antioch, that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, that He is God.  "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—  and all the brothers and sisters with me.....I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—  which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!  Am I now trying to win the approval of humans, or of God? Do I live to obey people or God? Paul said  "I want you to know,

brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is NOT of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Then after 3 years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him 15 days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother.  I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie." Galatians 1:1-21 ~ "This is how we know that we live in him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we

will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1  John 1:13-21 ~ Who do you pray to? Who is this Jesus?   Remember that his name is "the Word of God." And remember that His Beloved Disciple John penned under the inspiration of the HOLY Spirit "In the beginning was the Word, and the was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men."  John 1:1-5 and then John penned Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords." ~ "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the

mystery of God, namely, Christ" Colossians 2:2   "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1 ~ Jesus said “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

Lesson of a Hussie

The Scarlett Letter of love contained in God's living Word, is what brands us all with a bond of precious blood. Who signed His name to the letters in the Bible? In chapter 19 in the last revelation of the Bible, it uncovers His name as "The Word of God".  The Godhead encompasses our Father, our Savior Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  When God spoke and created all that is, His love letter to His creation was for His good purpose. Each Word God dictated through His chosen scribes is Spirit packed!  With great precise intention, it is like a flaming arrow that  pierces and targets the heart, mind an soul. God's Word is purpose filled and divinely directed to strike us where ever we are. IF we are tuned in, IF we are listening for our Father's voice, IF we seek, knock and ask for His advice ~ His Word will stop us from being foolish.  "Come to Me" turn around, and trust in Me and I will lead you and encourage you to..."Walk this way"...Our Father disciplines those He loves.  He restores, refreshes, counsels, and comforts.  He personally knows our name, and He empowers us to change the most stubborn beliefs to conform to His truth,  for His glory and pleasure.  As we surrender more of our mind, our beliefs to the trustworthy care of our Father, we become useful to our Creator, our God, our blessed Savior. This day I woke up in desperate NEED for a heaping portion of God's FRESH mercy. Struggling in my spirit, I was constipated with remorse and I was compelled from within to confess my hypocrisy, my pride, my greed, my disobedience. What keeps me from feeling lost without hope? Because of the Lord's great love, I am NOT consumed with guilt, nor will I perish in the flames of self-deception.  Oh Lord,  I thank You for how You forgive - as far as the East is from the West, my God forgives and forgets. God never brings up my past foepaws, goofups, or poor choices again. Oh Lord, help me forgive myself as I have been forgiven. 

Grace descends from heaven every time we humble ourselves before God, and trust Him like a child does with our cry's for help. Knowing that Jesus intercedes for me at the mercy seat, I feel safe from ever being separated from God. Our Father warns us to get ready because when Jesus returns, He will be quick to testify AGAINST those who deprive justice for the aliens, for God loves all peoples, regardless of country.  Man has border controls, God does not. Woe to those who turn their backs on orphans and widows,  and those who do not forgive as they have been forgiven. God asserted "I the Lord do NOT change...Return to Me, and I will return to you." Malachi 3:6-7 and a lovely Word from Lamentations 3:22-23 -- The truth is that I am human, and I fall from GRACE at the wise old age of 62 more times that I ever fell down trying to walk at the prime age of two. But because of my Father's unwarranted mercy, my life can be in a chaotic crisis, in the midst of crazy circumstances that are terribly tangled and tarnished by rusty old sins...but when I awake and surrender my desperate situation to Jesus and proclaim my need for His unsurpassed mercy, He quickly crushes me with unrelenting grace and indisputable forgiveness. Instantly, after He has listened to the unspoken needs of my heart, along with my profession of remorse for my ways, for how I think I offended Him, or did wrong...He literally transforms my chaos moment on my knees into a marvelous message to be TOLD. My Father's enduring love is for everyone. All of us sin daily, and our Father knows we should all be wearing a Scarlet Letter to keep us from ever feeling superior to anyone. Today in my

study of Malachi by Lisa Harper, she points us to a Word in Nehemiah 13:15-31 – What is this wicked thing you do?  Is it GREED? Placing your passion on hoarding money, and withholding your first earnings from God? Is your wickedness DISOBEDIENCE? Adultery, or getting married to a foreigner, someone who does not hold your beliefs?  Is it your PRIDE for what you have accomplished on your own? What IF your transgressions were known to all in your small town and you were forced to wear  the RED letter of G for greed, or a P for pride…on your daily apparel? IF we all had to wear red letters that identified our weaknesses, we would probably be more likely to NOT cast the first stone, or to condemn others for their rotten choices. Hester acted by Demi Moore arrives overseas from England. As Hester waits for her husband - who is due to follow shortly after - she falls for a young minister, Arthur played by Gary Oldman.  Finding herself pregnant with Arthur’s child, Hester is imprisoned. Hester is sentenced to wear a scarlet "A" for Adulteress.    Did not Jesus forgive the prostitute. How about Joshua 6:25?Hester is shamed by having a drummer boy follow her whenever she walked in town. Meanwhile, Hester's husband acted by Robert Duvall resurfaces from war prison. Learning of the scandal, he fraudulently presents himself as a doctor. Doctor Roger begins seeking his revenge.  Dr Roger eventually murders an innocent male leaving his wife Hester's home. The doctor scalps the man to implicate the Indians.  Infuriated by this atrocity, the colonists declare war on the Indians and Roger, distraught by the severe consequences of his action, promptly commits suicide.  Hester is nearly hanged, but the minister Arthur saves her neck by confessing that he is the father of her child.  Arthur takes Hester’s place on the gallows. We all NEED to be honest and confess our dark secrets, and be FREED by Jesus, just like the thief on the cross.  AMEN

"His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.  He has a name WRITTEN on Him that NO ONE knows but He Himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God."  Revelation 19:12-14 NIV  ---The eyes of Jesus can see our souls. He knows the content of our heart more clearly than we do. Our Creator knows our needs before we can even begin to articulate them to Him.  Jesus wears many crowns, the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father, and He is the promised Holy Spirit who came upon us, to be with us always. We will NEVER be forsaken, mislead, or

misinformed by God. When we fully submit to His mercy, grace, wisdom, power, and authority ---over all knowledge gained aside from His, then Jesus delivers personal, supernatural understanding.  Jesus as God does NOT possess love, or have love in His heart, He is Love, He is compassion, He is mercy, He is grace. God loved us first and His greatest command is for us to love ourselves and one another as our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us ~ full of power, authority, grace.  He is consistent in compassion, understanding, patience and mercy. Jesus Christ asks us "Do you love me?" If you love Me, follow Me. Submit to Me alone and be humble and care more for what I say than the scholars.  Feed upon My Word, quench your thirst to know if you are loved as you are, I will give you the truth, I will satisfy your hearts desires, I am sufficient to fulfill all your needs. Come to Me when you feel heavy with burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Are you listening to what the Spirit is saying?  One Word from Him, and your life will be changed day, by day throughout eternity. A wise Word from Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." 

The VALUE of WISDOM

Thomas Jefferson, a student of politics, and a highly esteemed man, is remembered well for the many great things he accomplished. During the 2014 banking crisis in the USA this 1802 QUOTE is worth repeating:  "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.  If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."   Thomas Jefferson was a Republican. He wisely studied the previous failed attempts of the two previous presidents.  He understood actual history, the nature of God, and God’s authority above any man-made law, and the nature of man to betray the truth for his own interests. Jefferson’s resume:  At the age of 9, Thomas Jefferson studied Latin, Greek and French.  At age 16 he entered the college of William and Mary. He was known to muse his friends while....

writing Greek with one hand, and Latin with the free hand.  At age 19, Thomas studied law for 5 years under George Wythe. At age 23 he started his own law practice. At age 25, Thomas was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.  At age 31 he retired from his law practice and wrote the widely acclaimed article “Summary review of the rights of British America”.   At age 32 he was a delegate at the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States.  At age 33, Thomas wrote the Declaration of the Independence.  He also revised Virginia’s Legal Code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom. At age 36 he was elected as the 2nd Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry. At age 40 he served the United States Congress for two years. At age 41 Thomas was the American Minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties along with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.  At age 53, Thomas Jefferson was the United States Vice President.  At age 55 Thomas became the acting head of the Republican Party. At age 57, Thomas Jefferson was elected as the President of the United States.  At age 60 he obtained the Louisiana Purchase, and the USA doubled in size. At age 65 he retired to Monticello.  At age 80 he helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.  At age 81, Thomas single handedly created the University of Virginia.

At age 83 Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.  Let us listen to what the spirit of God is saying before we vote, cast our opinions, or discount a person because of the political party they represent.  At a White House dinner hosted by a democratic President for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. President John F Kennedy made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president, was a leading figure in America’s early development. During the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), Jefferson served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress and was governor of Virginia. Jefferson, believed that the national government should have a limited role in citizens’ lives. During his two terms in office (1801-1809), the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory and Lewis and Clark explored the vast new acquisition. Although Jefferson promoted individual liberty, he was also a slaveowner. Obviously Jefferson relied on his intellect, not on the Holy Spirit to rightly discern the living Word of God. It seems he valued his intellect more highly than God's wisdom. God warns us that the heart is deceitful above all else, so we are best advised to invite and allow the Holy Spirit to give us understanding as He increases our faith in God, not the almighty dollar.  

THE WIND OF TIME

TRUTH: Grey hairs are flourishing under my colored lengths. The wind of time blows and my life is but a twinkling grain of sand on a Son lit seashore of souls.  I am not precisely a girl, yet I am in-between a mature woman and the winsome youth I once was. I know fear, friendship and how time persists like the wind, pushing me forward while wrinkling and eroding my flesh. Our Father who has no beginning and no end, He who lives outside of time, the Captain of my ship increases my faith in the unseen, unknown will of God as we journey together, not alone. While the winds of faith blister my face, I am stilled without angst for my appearance or my future.  I consider the purpose of His voyage aboard my creaking ship, this body and I am humbled.  A few years ago I would have pronounced with electric enthusiasm that it was God's will to fit me for a position of responsibility to harvest many souls. I began my voyage of faith in Jesus Christ in 1985 with childlike perceptions undistorted by the emotion of experience, I was not expecting so much rejection. Bathed in the blissful objectivity of ignorance,  I surrendered with a naive willingness to be led into a glorious future without strife. "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you."  Isaiah 43:10 His promises are many, and in His wonderous way, ever kept. His will be done not mine. AMEN -

Today I marvel at the overwhelming subjectivity that relentlessly proceeds out of my inherent nature to judge all things as I would have it, and NOT in His will, wisdom or superior, often surprising ways.  All knowledge obtained belongs to the thinking subject, which is me ~ This day, I am quick to admit my insufficiency apart from God.  Against all manner of human rationale, a formidable HOPE rises within me during my weakest moments. The noble thoughts of God alone are worthy of recitation.  Nothing I have said, written or done will ever come close to the reality of His unseen, but very steady, unchanging guidance and ever sufficient Word.  The criminal element within our regal, yet wasting human society in this century can be compared to the eloquent dependence God knows we shall ever need, for days gone by, and for the days ahead.  All knowledge obtained in school, university or seminary lacks any pertinence if one has not forgiven one wretched drunk, prostitute or thief.  If we have seen with the eyes of God, if we have perceived a soul's poverty with compassion, mercy and grace, we have walked with Jesus among the homeless and hopeless and been His light. Oh Lord, I thank You for each person who has walked in faith before me and I rejoice in my weakness, in my vulnerable human frailty, for You are in my midst giving me strength to face the change that is yet to come.   Jesus reassures me with the truth. We have no need for a particular priest, as we are all priests.  A mix of feelings blows through my sail as the wind of change whips my vessel into submission. All concerns, fears and reluctance to follow my Captain are decimated by His mighty Presence.  My hope is sure because I know that I shall arrive at my final destination in His good and perfect time.

He placed His robe of Righteousness on me

 "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2 "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:8  ~ My Lord has spoken His words and I listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying.  Encouraged by the power of His robe, all is well within my soul.  I put off my perceptions, my preconceived ideas, my substantial experience, my obtained worldly

views and I put on my armor, my robe of righteousness and I wear my helmet of salvation with honor.

I shall not subscribe to the furious fears of man nor the waves of contempt against God in times of trouble.  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2 ~ He searches my heart and makes me face the truth of my prejudices, and the pride that is inherent in my selfish nature. With ready confession I admit my weakness and He fortifies me and challenges me to speak with clarity all that He has accomplished by my departure from denial that I need God desperately, ever hour of each day.  With a compassionate heart I accept the frailty of man without thinking myself superior in any way. I am humbled in the awareness that He chose to use a wretch like me.  Thank You Father for throwing me the life preserver, Jesus Christ, my Savior.  "And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9 ~ "But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." Ps 102: 27

AUTHENTICITY

A transparent, contrite heart is what God longs to hear from. To authentically love God, or another, we must speak the truth, we must be willing to open up and pour out our hearts to Him, and to those we love. If we love God, we listen and obey God. If our relationships are authentic, then the contents of our heart, our hearts cry, our invisible, unspoken motives match up with our visible actions. All talk and no action does not please God. “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” The test of a true religion is when our heart breaks for what breaks the heart of God. When our hearts are convicted to DO something for people that have no way of repaying us for what we do, we are giving with a pure heart. "Test my heart O God, and reveal to me that which needs to change." The brother of Jesus did not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh until the resurrection.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." God hates religion that is merely an outward appearance. He calls those who sit in church for show, white washed tombs. God hates pride. A person who reads the bible but never cares for the alien, the widow, or the orphan is seen by God as a hypocrite. God loves a pure, transparent heart that obeys His word and makes His love known in the world by compassion and kindness. In the Old Testament we find a special trinity of what concerns the heart of God. Our holy Father repeats His concern for the “alien, the widow and the orphan.” The alien is a person not of our culture, a Mexican. The widow is a person without a helpmate. The orphaned child survives believing they are unwanted.

God desires that we, His chosen, make known by our actions, not just our words, that the alien, the widow, and the orphan are wanted, cherished and loved by God. Our Father commanded the nation of Israel in how they were to treat the forgotten members and what would happen if they chose to neglect them. Because God has a special place in His heart for all of us, He promises to:  vindicate them  rescue them  deliver them  hear them  lift them up  be their father  meet their needs  maintain their cause… READ Matthew chapter 25:36-37 A contrite heart does not simply visit the forgotten, but that a pure heart hurts to see others in need:  you hang out and visit and show compassion  you nurture, you hug  you authentically care by raking leaves, doing dishes  you loved by bringing groceries  you provide encouragement and a good listening, compassionate ear. It is actually reaching out to someone and truly caring, and taking care of their needs. The mark of a true AUTHENTIC believer is their

unselfish love for someone else. 1 John 3:10-11, 16-18. Why single out Orphans and widows? Jesus’ mother was a widow and He showed us His concern for her well-being. John 19:26-27 Communicating love requires that we embody Love, that our hearts are pure and that we speak out of that overflow of God's love. Being transparent like Adam and Eve before the fall, is to be pure hearted, naked and unashamed. (Genesis 2:25) To be without disguise or a need to hide or cover up anything is to be transparent with God, and with those you care about. After the fall people hid their insecurities, their doubts and fears with half-truths, deceit, lying, and hatred. The fear of rejection keeps people from being real, from opening up, from admitting their weaknesses. To be authentic, we must be bold, and NOT afraid. When we present our authentic, vulnerable self to another, they respond, they open up, and they receive the message "God loves you, just the way you are, and He sent me here to love you by meeting a few basic needs."