Hebrews 13:5-6 Take God at His word! We do not walk alone.

 Philippians 4:11–12 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I trust God. I believe in God the Father almighty. I believe in  faith, the gift of God, that through Jesus the world could be saved, I believe in Holy Spirit who together with the Father and the Son guides us and will get us safely home at our journeys end. The Lord is my helper I do not walk alone. Carla

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”  NKJV)

Covetousness is addressed in the last of the Ten Commandments. This attitude destroys a person’s inheritance in the kingdom (1 Corinthians  6:9, 10). 

I will never leave you nor forsake you: This quotation is one of the most emphatic statements in the New Testament. In Greek it contains two double negatives, similar to saying in English, “I will never, ever, ever forsake you.” Jesus uses the same technique to express the certainty of eternal life for believers (John 10:28). The NKJV Study Bible

Joshua 1:5

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

The Sunday-school teacher asked her 10-year-old students if they would be willing to give one million dollars to missionary work, for children and families in need.

“Yes,” they all screamed in unison.

“Very good. Would you give one thousand dollars?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Would you give one dollar?”

The class responded, “Yes,” except for one young boy, who sat silent.

“Why didn't you say yes?” the teacher asked.

“Because,” he stammered. “I have a dollar in my pocket.”

Napoleon reminded us, “Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to choose.” And because of that, the freedom “to choose” always works better in speeches, than it does in practice.

It's been our theme this week. We can “believe”, or we can “Get in.”

But here’s the deal: I can relate to the little guy. I get it.
Because this story isn’t about money, but our freedom to choose.

And, once you've got “a dollar in your pocket,” there's a parting of the ways in what we “believe”, and how we live.
Of course, I am still “free” to contribute, give, care for, risk, go out on a limb, let go, to live unshackled. But with my hand over the dollar in my pocket, I am stuck. And we all know the litany here (any of the reasons we find it difficult to remove our hand... any of the reasons that keep us stuck)—shame, need for perfection, fear of disappointment, “should,” need for certainty. Or, what if my dollar is not enough? After all, what will “they” think? (Did it ever occur to you that we've never actually met “them,” but they still control our lives? Go figure.)
For me, it boils down to this: For whatever reason, I am afraid to let who I am (and what I have) spill to the world around me.
In conversations these days, in a world feeling upside down, where there are indeed, hands to hold, I am asked, “But what choices do we have? What can I do?”
I can begin here: “I can care. And I can give the dollar I have.”
And the good news? If you take the dollar—our heart, our big-heartedness, our compassion, our impact—from your pocket, you open yourself to change.

Now in touch with my heart, I am available to... give, forgive, risk, fail, try, create, offer, feel, see, embrace wonder.
I am available to build-bridges, cry, laugh, play, grieve, mourn, fall-down, get-up-again, paint, write, and see poetry in the clouds.
I am available to lend a helping hand, hold a hand that needs it, and give in to the vulnerability of trusting another who pushes the wheelbarrow. Sabbath Moments

Colossians 3:12-17 In Jesus Christ God covered us in His mercy and grace.

Ephesians 4:2–4 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…

The agape love of God covers us in His mercy and grace. Should we not offer the same to others. If we seek Him we will find Him.  If we ask for guidance we will receive it. If we knock on the door of the knowledge and wisdom of God it will be opened. Carla

Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly is apparently a parallel thought to Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:18 where he says to be “filled with the Spirit.” The hymns would be the songs of the church that reflected the new truth in Christ. Spiritual songs may have been other kinds of songs praising God. Paul sums up how Christians should live. We should commit everything we do or say to Jesus and continually thank God for all His good gifts (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).The NKJV Study Bible

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy 14:2; Romans 9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians 3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people.

Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47).

The Greek word used here for peace, eirēnē, refers to wholeness or the absence of conflict in a relationship.

Paul commands the Colossians to express gratitude for the things they have and the people in their lives. Gratitude is a safeguard against grumbling and complaining, both of which can ruin a community.

The word of Christ refers either to the gospel message about Christ or to Christ’s teaching (as opposed to human philosophies or traditions; Colossians 2:8).

Faithlife Study Bible

The false teachers were instructing the Colossians to concentrate on temporal observances; in contrast, Paul instructs them to concentrate on the eternal realities of heaven. The Greek verb for set emphasizes an ongoing decision. Christians must continually discipline themselves to focus on eternal realities, instead of the temporal realities of this earth. A Christian’s life is no longer dictated by this world but is hidden with Christ. The Greek word for hidden indicates that God has accomplished this in the past so that it is a present reality. The NKJV Study Bible

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5:19–20

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

Colossians  1:28

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Our world lost a very bright light yesterday. Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton.

In a world where differences make walls and enemies, she had a unique ability to bring Americans together for good causes.

In a world where having “more” is a measure of power, her lifelong philanthropy was fueled by her reputation for kindness and generosity.

Generosity, heart, and light. An audacious, unexpected life. 

It’s the little gifts my friends. To hug the hurt. Kiss the broken. Bandage the wounded. Befriend the lost. Stand up for the humiliated. Little gifts of compassion leave people better than we find them.

And I’ll give a shoutout to Dolly. Our world needs people who spill light. 

And my gratitude to John Pavlovitz, for these final words honoring Dolly.

“In the coming days, there will be countless, well-deserved tributes devoted to her seismic songwriting and singing career, her formidable business acumen, her indefatigable optimism, and her easy, infectious joy.

Dolly will be rightly eulogized for the effortless grace she moved through the world with, for the gentleness she extended to every person in her path, and for the humility she somehow managed to hold onto despite reaching near-sainthood status among fans, admirers, and peers alike.

Her life and career have and will provide an inexhaustible treasure trove of lessons for those of us who remain—and for those on the horizon of history who will not have had the great fortune to live here while she did.

She could have partnered with the legion of malevolent power-holders, motivated only by the insatiable allure of more. She could have exploited the influence she acquired to amass even greater fortune.

Instead, Dolly Parton spent her life giving her wealth away.” Sabbath Moments

Matthew 22:37-40 We need to treat others as we would want them to treat us.

 Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Love God above all and love everyone else like He does!!!! He is good to those who choose Him and those who do not. He sends rain to the just and the unjust. Why? Because all of us were created in His image. We do not fight against man but against the principalities of evil. Carla

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (NKJV)

To answer the lawyer’s question, Jesus quoted from the great Jewish confession of faith called the Shema. The confession is called this because it begins with the Hebrew word shema meaning “hear:” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”.  The heart, soul, and mind represent the whole person.

This command to love others is from Leviticus 19:18 it is not an imperative to love one’s self. People naturally love themselves and are at least somewhat self-centered. Because we love ourselves, we want the best for ourselves; likewise, we should be concerned for the welfare of others.

The Ten Commandments can be divided into two categories: those dealing with love for God (the first four Commandments) and those dealing with responsibilities toward other people (the last six Commandments). The same may be said for all the Law and the Prophets. The NKJV Study Bible

The heart, soul, and mind collectively represent the whole person; one should love God with total love and devotion. The greatest and first commandment Deuteronomy 6:5 also was one of the best-known commands, as it was part of the Shema—an ancient prayer recited by Jews twice every day. 

The commands to love God and others do not replace the instructions of the Law or the teaching of the Prophets. Rather, obedience to this twofold commandment fulfills the essence of their teaching. Faithlife Study Bible

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Luke 10:25–28

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”…

Matthew 19:19

‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

And to John Powell, I am grateful for this: “There’s a South African word called Sawubona, which means, ‘I see you’. The word is also sometimes interpreted as the God in me, sees the God in you. Bridging is seeing the other person. So it doesn’t mean you agree with the person. Doesn’t mean you change your mind, or they change your mind. But you see their humanity, you see their value, and you’re resolutely willing to open up and just listen, empathetic listening, compassionate listening…
One approach is to try to persuade the person to come to your side. Another is to avoid the person. Bridging is neither of those. Bridging is saying, I want to connect with the other person. Bridging is saying, I’m curious. Bridging involves connecting at the heart level, as well as the head level. So it’s really being present with someone.”
Yes. It is better to light a candle.
It is better to build a bridge.

Let us embrace the gift of Sawubona.

“Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.” L.R. Knost. Sabbath Moments

Psalm 100:5 God hates pride and arrogance.

 Proverbs 6:16–19 

These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination for Him:

17 A proud look, 

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are running to evil,

19 A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

Love your neighbor as yourself  is the command of God not man. We live in a democracy but our pride can bring us to destruction. Two things that God hates, pride and arrogance. Carla

Psalm 100:5

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,

Him I will destroy;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,

Him I will not endure. ( NKJV)

The Lord is good. The shout of the goodness of God in this verse is buttressed by an appeal to His mercy and His truth. The Hebrew word for truth comes from the root meaning “to be established” or “to be confirmed.” From this root also comes the word amen, meaning “surely” or “truly.” God’s goodness is based on His loyal love and His truth. The NKJV Study Bible

A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take pleasure in wounding their neighbour’s reputation. Also, God resists the proud, and false, deceitful people, who scruple not to tell lies, or commit frauds. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the LORD!Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Jeremiah 33:11

the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:

:Praise the LORD of hosts,

For the LORD is good,

For His mercy endures forever”

—and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the LORD.

I can tell you that it is easy to write—and preach—a homily on kindness.

Practicing kindness, well, that is another thing altogether.

And this week, please take a moment to say “thank you” to those in your life and world, who have made choices to spill the rainbow of kindness—in little gestures and smalls ways. Sabbath Moments

Gardener God

Forgive us for the times we have kept our seeds in the packet

For the times we’ve been too scared to risk, too selfish to love, too embarrassed to try

Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for where we have let weeds grow in the soil of our lives

For the times we have forgotten to pray,

for the days when we don’t bother to listen,

for the moments when we neglect the stirring of your spirit

Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for when we have trampled on the seedlings of others

Through careless words or outright criticism,

through envy or feeling threatened,

through being insensitive or wrapped up in ourselves

Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for when we think it’s all down to us

When we forget that to grow we need the earth of our community,

The water of other people’s contribution,

The sunshine of your favour,

The nutrients that come through conversation and challenge

Gardener God, have mercy on us

Amen

(Thank you, Jonny Baker)