tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250778972024-03-24T11:06:08.319-07:00The Fellowship of JoyTom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-38443163955040381852024-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:002024-03-24T11:05:15.887-07:00From Empires Without and Within, Save Us! Hosanna! Palm Sunday Sermon b...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/66dFDtqsyjI?si=EDsL6ct0ncJ9xti6" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-62114004421201520232024-03-17T15:06:00.000-07:002024-03-17T15:06:48.915-07:00An Everlasting Love<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/j5xQ-qC1tXI?si=CtsIyPe3q--SD-BP" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-52102814726932433832024-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:002024-03-17T11:37:24.518-07:00Love and Intent<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong> <a class="asset-img-link" href="https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbd0200c-pi"><img alt="Eeverlasting" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbd0200c img-responsive" src="https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbd0200c-500wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Eeverlasting" /></a><br /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>An Everlasting Love</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="314" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftomsims%2Fvideos%2F428231116325629%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. - </em><em>Jeremiah 31:3</em>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><em> </em>Sentimentality suggests that human love can be eternal. In the genre of romance literature, film, opera, and popular music, the theme is often repeated with lyrical style and sweet harmony. We come to believe that “true love” lasts forever without great effort, commitment, or struggle.</p>
<p>The fact is that human love is fickle, self-serving, and often lazy. Separation may not make the heart grow fonder; it may in fact, make it wander. Hard times often drive a wedge between even the most starry-eyed lovers. Many a marriage, friendship, business relationship, or family tie has been severed over some petty disagreement. Harsh words have been the precipitating cause of animosity between people. Even churches have split over selfish and petty disagreements. Where is this everlasting love?</p>
<p>Only God’s love is eternal for God is the ultimate lover who, though spurned, loves on.</p>
<p>“God is love,” and “God so loved the world …” These are expressions of His very nature and yet, it cost God to love so profoundly and so persistently. We see some of that price paid on the cross. It is expressed in the real-life allegory of Hosea’s life and God taught the prophet the meaning of unconditional, relentless love.</p>
<p>If we are going to experience long-lasting love, we have to connect with the source. A relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ is essential to building life-long relationships that can weather the storms of life. From God we learn that real love is a commitment of time, energy, and faithful service to another person. It is work, but it is worthy of all our effort and stubborn perseverance.</p>
<p>We are amazed that God would love us as He does. We are encouraged that He can teach us to love. The man we know as St. Valentine is one of about three historical characters who performed many, many weddings – but it is God Himself who can make a relationship stand the test of time. Trust Him and His everlasting love and let His love be the endless supply of love, through you to others.</p>
<p><strong>The Grand Courtship</strong></p>
<p>Everlasting love. It is as much of a quality as it is an expression of duration. In fact, what makes God’s love endure is that it is durable, patient, passionate, and aggressive. That is the character of His love. God actively pursues the object of His love in the way described by Francis Thompson in his immortal poem, “The Hound of Heaven.”</p>
<p>God appears to us of old with this romantic word of wooing, He has been loving us all along. It is new only by its freshness. “Yes, I have loved you …” He affirms with conviction and passion, “and my love never ends.”</p>
<p>Not only does He love us, but He courts us. With loving kindness He reaches out to us and draws us to Himself. Loving kindness is an inadequate English translation of a Hebrew word, which is best translated, “covenant love.” It means that God’s own character, word, and integrity are at stake and that He loves us simply because He has chosen and committed to do so. He will not back down. He is relentless in loving us. It is about who He is that He loves so deeply.</p>
<p>God is a jealous lover—not in the immature sense of one who is insecure, but with the confidence of one who knows that He is the only one for us and that all other suitors are bent on our destruction. The jealousy of God is selfless and generous. He will settle for no less than the best for us.</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Could we with ink the ocean fill</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>And were the skies of parchment made,</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Were every stalk on earth a quill,</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>And every man a scribe by trade,</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>To write the love of God so fair</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Would drain the ocean dry,</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Nor could the part contain the whole</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Though stretched from sky to sky.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>- F.H. Lehman</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>© 1917, 1945, Nazarene Publishing House</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8F6Ks1Xdkc8" width="480"></iframe></em></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Hound of Heaven</h1>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gToj6SLWz8Q" width="480"></iframe></p>
<blockquote>
<pre style="padding-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbéd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat—and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet—
“All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.”
I pleaded, outlaw-wise,
By many a hearted casement, curtained red,
Trellised with intertwining charities;
(For, though I knew His love Who followèd,
Yet was I sore adread
Lest, having Him, I must have naught beside.)
But, if one little casement parted wide,
The gust of His approach would clash it to:
Fear wist not to evade, as Love wist to pursue.
Across the margent of the world I fled,
And troubled the gold gateways of the stars,
Smiting for shelter on their clangèd bars:
Fretted to dulcet jars
And silvern chatter the pale ports o’ the moon.
I said to Dawn: Be sudden—to Eve: Be soon;
With thy young skiey blossoms heap me over
From this tremendous Lover—
Float thy vague veil about me, lest He see!
I tempted all His servitors, but to find
My own betrayal in their constancy,
In faith to Him their fickleness to me,
Their traitorous trueness, and their loyal deceit.
To all swift things for swiftness did I sue;
Clung to the whistling mane of every wind.
But whether they swept, smoothly fleet,
The long savannahs of the blue;
Or whether, Thunder-driven,
They clanged his chariot ’thwart a heaven,
Plashy with flying lightnings round the spurn o’ their feet:—
Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.
Still with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbéd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
Came on the following Feet,
And a Voice above their beat—
“Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me.”
I sought no more that after which I strayed
In face of man or maid;
But still within the little children’s eyes
Seems something, something that replies,
<em>They</em> at least are for me, surely for me!
I turned me to them very wistfully;
But just as their young eyes grew sudden fair
With dawning answers there,
Their angel plucked them from me by the hair.
“Come then, ye other children, Nature’s—share
With me” (said I) “your delicate fellowship;
Let me greet you lip to lip,
Let me twine you with caresses,
Wantoning
With our Lady-Mother’s vagrant tresses,
Banqueting
With her in her wind-walled palace,
Underneath her azured dais,
Quaffing, as your taintless way is,
From a chalice
Lucent-weeping out of the dayspring.”
So it was done:
<em>I</em> in their delicate fellowship was one—
Drew the bolt of Nature’s secrecies.
<em>I</em> knew all the swift importings
On the wilful face of skies;
I knew how the clouds arise
Spuméd of the wild sea-snortings;
All that’s born or dies
Rose and drooped with; made them shapers
Of mine own moods, or wailful or divine;
With them joyed and was bereaven.
I was heavy with the even,
When she lit her glimmering tapers
Round the day’s dead sanctities.
I laughed in the morning’s eyes.
I triumphed and I saddened with all weather,
Heaven and I wept together,
And its sweet tears were salt with mortal mine;
Against the red throb of its sunset-heart
I laid my own to beat,
And share commingling heat;
But not by that, by that, was eased my human smart.
In vain my tears were wet on Heaven’s grey cheek.
For ah! we know not what each other says,
These things and I; in sound <em>I</em> speak—
<em>Their</em> sound is but their stir, they speak by silences.
Nature, poor stepdame, cannot slake my drouth;
Let her, if she would owe me,
Drop yon blue bosom-veil of sky, and show me
The breasts o’ her tenderness:
Never did any milk of hers once bless
My thirsting mouth.
Nigh and nigh draws the chase,
With unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy;
And past those noised Feet
A voice comes yet more fleet—
“Lo! naught contents thee, who content’st not Me.”
Naked I wait Thy love’s uplifted stroke!
My harness piece by piece Thou hast hewn from me,
And smitten me to my knee;
I am defenceless utterly.
I slept, methinks, and woke,
And, slowly gazing, find me stripped in sleep.
In the rash lustihead of my young powers,
I shook the pillaring hours
And pulled my life upon me; grimed with smears,
I stand amid the dust o’ the mounded years—
My mangled youth lies dead beneath the heap.
My days have crackled and gone up in smoke,
Have puffed and burst as sun-starts on a stream.
Yea, faileth now even dream
The dreamer, and the lute the lutanist.
Even the linked fantasies, in whose blossomy twist
I swung the earth a trinket at my wrist,
Are yielding; cords of all too weak account
For earth with heavy griefs so overplussed.
Ah! is Thy love indeed
A weed, albeit an amaranthine weed,
Suffering no flowers except its own to mount?
Ah! must—
Designer infinite!—
Ah! must Thou char the wood ere Thou can’st limn with it?
My freshness spent its wavering shower i’ the dust;
And now my heart is as a broken fount,
Wherein tear-drippings stagnate, spilt down ever
From the dank thoughts that shiver
Upon the sighful branches of my mind.
Such is; what is to be?
The pulp so bitter, how shall taste the rind?
I dimly guess what Time in mists confounds;
Yet ever and anon a trumpet sounds
From the hid battlements of Eternity;
Those shaken mists a space unsettle, then
Round the half-glimpséd turrets slowly wash again.
But not ere him who summoneth
I first have seen, enwound
With glooming robes purpureal, cypress-crowned;
His name I know, and what his trumpet saith.
Whether man’s heart or life it be which yields
Thee harvest, must Thy harvest-fields
Be dunged with rotten death?
Now of that long pursuit
Comes on at hand the bruit;
That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:
“And is thy earth so marred,
Shattered in shard on shard?
Lo, all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!
Strange, piteous, futile thing!
Wherefore should any set thee love apart?
Seeing none but I makes much of naught” (He said),
“And human love needs human meriting:
How hast thou merited—
Of all man’s clotted clay the dingiest clot?
Alack, thou knowest not
How little worthy of any love thou art!
Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,
Save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might’st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child’s mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:
Rise, clasp My hand, and come!”
Halts by me that footfall:
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?
“Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me.”
</span>
<strong>Francis Thompson</strong> (1859-1907)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></pre>
<p class="asset-video" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="asset-video" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="asset-video" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="tool-icons"><span class="cc-icon"> </span><span class="cc-icon"> The Power of a Positive Intention</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="tool-icons"><span class="cc-icon"> <a class="asset-img-link" href="https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbef200c-pi"><img alt="Statement Of Intention by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbef200c img-responsive" src="https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c745453ef02c8d3a9fbef200c-500wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Statement Of Intention by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images" /></a><br /></span></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Statement Of Intention by <a href="http://www.nyphotographic.com/">Nick Youngson</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a> <a href="http://alphastockimages.com/">Alpha Stock Images</a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong>“<em>Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:9</em></p>
<p>By living according to God’s Word a young man can keep himself pure. That is no small thing. If there is any creature on earth prone to impurity, it is a young man. For that reason, Solomon spends no small amount of energy and no few words in the Proverbs instructing young men on this very matter.</p>
<p>The psalmist asks the question with the intention of learning and complying with the answer and God inspires the answers that flow in the verses that follow. All revolve around the one great call to live according to God’s Word.</p>
<p>By seeking God wholeheartedly, verse 10 assures us, we will avoid straying from His commands.</p>
<p>By hiding God’s Word in our hearts, verse 11 promises, we will not be as likely to sin.</p>
<p>By asking for guidance with praise, according to verse 12, we will have God Himself as our teacher.</p>
<p>By speaking the Words of God, according to verse 13, we will be voicing what He has first voices.</p>
<p>By rejoicing in God’s statutes, as stated in verse 14, we shall be adopting a positive attitude which will recognize the immense treasures of His truth.</p>
<p>By meditating on God’s precepts, as commended in verse 15, we will be considering His ways.</p>
<p>By delighting in what He has said by decree, verse 16 suggests that we will not neglect His Word.</p>
<p>It is really a rather simple matter. We can pursue purity in our lives by living according to the Bible, seeking God in it, absorbing it into our hearts and minds, asking God’s guidance through it, speaking it with our lips, rejoicing in each new nugget of truth, meditating deeply upon it, and delighting in everything it says.</p>
<p>Temptations abound, but God’s Word is always available to purify our hearts as we seek Him with all that we have and all that we are. If it is a young man’s or young woman’s intention to live a holy and pure life, the way is provided.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="asset-video" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-9QX3YPakPM?feature=oembed" title="The Power of Intent in the Life of Joseph" width="356"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-90466540868901672062024-03-16T14:30:00.000-07:002024-03-16T14:30:11.065-07:00Love - The greatest thing, the most demanding, the most enduring, The Lo...<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KyQbFJE62l8/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/KyQbFJE62l8?si=7jREx8CeYCFY_mqR" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-15809387796171955352024-03-11T14:05:00.000-07:002024-03-11T14:05:52.905-07:00Psalm 22<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/gO2oajaiUck?si=w-hIalfeLGguj3OC" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gO2oajaiUck/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora !important; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 1.6em !important; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">But I am a worm, and not human;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">scorned by others, and despised by the people. - Psalm 22:6</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">Yet it was you who took me from the womb;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">On you I was cast from my birth,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">and since my mother bore me you have been my God.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">Do not be far from me,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">for trouble is near</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">and there is no one to help.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">I am poured out like water,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">and all my bones are out of joint;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">my heart is like wax;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">it is melted within my breast;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">and my tongue sticks to my jaws;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">you lay me in the dust of death.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">But you, O LORD, do not be far away!</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">O my help, come quickly to my aid!</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">... he did not despise or abhor</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">the affliction of the afflicted;</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">he did not hide his face from me,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">but heard when I cried to him."</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">- Psalm 22:9-11 14-15, 19, 24</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">"...'We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.' And Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.'"</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">- Genesis 40:8</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-23</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">"So he brought his people out with joy,</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">his chosen ones with singing."</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">- Psalm 105:43''</em></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"> We read the emotions of yesterday's people, their longs, aspirations, and questions with a sense of immediacy. They are who we are. We are who they were. We yearn for the same answers and presence. We want what they wanted, an assurance of God being with them and purposefully guiding their paths.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We want to not be abandoned.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We want to know who we are and to be who we were meant to be.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">In those times when we feel like worms, we want to know we are more.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We want to be beloved and to live in beloved communities.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We want to dream and when we dream, we need to know that only God can fully interpret our dreams.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We must know that we cannot accomplish all we desire for ourselves or those we love simply through our own efforts. We need to know that we cannot cleverly devise constructs that will always be true and go to the depths of understanding.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We need God, long for God, and find our completeness in God.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We are sitting by the sea, going about our business when Jesus comes. We are not that well thought of, even by our own estimations, but He sees something in us and calls us. He calls and we follow and rejoice.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">GOSPEL READING MARK 2:13-22</em></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora !important; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 1.6em !important; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">13</span>Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">14</span>As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">15</span>And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples - for there were many who followed him. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">16</span>When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">17</span>When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">"18</span>Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, 'Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">19</span>Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">20</span>The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.'</em></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">21'</span>No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">22</span>And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.'"</em></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">He is with us and we rejoice. We think new ways and see the world through new glasses.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">There are times of fasting, but they lead to times of rejoicing.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;">We are worms no more. We have cried out of the depths and He has head. Our deficits and iniquities, which are many, have been resolved by His mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus (which is, ultimately, the sacrifice of God demonstrating love and grace). We are redeemed. We are forgiven. We are new. We need new clothes and winsekins because this is a new day!</p></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora !important; font-size: 16px !important; line-height: 1.6em !important; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;">EVENING PSALM 130</em></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">1</span> Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">2</span> Lord, hear my voice! </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> Let your ears be attentive </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> to the voice of my supplications!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">3</span> If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> Lord, who could stand? </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">4</span> But there is forgiveness with you, </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> so that you may be revered.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">5</span> I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> and in his word I hope; </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">6</span> my soul waits for the Lord </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> more than those who watch for the morning, </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> more than those who watch for the morning.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; word-break: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">7</span> O Israel, hope in the LORD! </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> For with the LORD there is steadfast love, </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> and with him is great power to redeem. </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.125px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">8</span> It is he who will redeem Israel </em><br style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;" /><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"> from all its iniquities.</em></p><div><em style="box-sizing: border-box; word-break: break-word;"><br /></em></div></div></blockquote></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-56867979680363580892024-03-11T12:24:00.000-07:002024-03-11T12:24:39.251-07:00Jacob Blesses His Sons - Blessings and Curses - Genesis 1 1-28<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/5xkIjH8H1N8?si=3RFkVwObYxoabSc3" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-61674421608946915492024-03-10T09:27:00.000-07:002024-03-10T09:27:57.087-07:00Which Is Easier Mark 21-12<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qr9Zn6uU0UI/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qr9Zn6uU0UI?si=tMDhLnk_cnv4m-ZZ" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-63177198208531510062024-03-04T11:22:00.000-08:002024-03-04T11:22:27.187-08:0010 Commandements for Dummies<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7UTq1kDo8wY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/7UTq1kDo8wY?si=YoxoGBdgtwCQ28xg" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-66313262145950983752024-02-29T09:32:00.000-08:002024-02-29T09:32:54.682-08:00My Refuge<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/RVXPCAlRyrA?si=V9wAAbfReLy1eLCk" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-59201342058130952262024-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:35:51.299-08:00Psalm 56 - Whenever I Am Afraid - I Will Trust in You<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ufNkPbuCU1E?si=GodMvuARaUvskrLJ" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-42083843267270846692024-02-25T09:09:00.000-08:002024-02-25T09:09:43.822-08:00Compassion that Yields Healing - Pity - A Gut Feeling - Mark 1:41<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/hnsR2OirNig?si=pQXDxslKcY4joDBM" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-28655036196538023322024-02-24T17:23:00.000-08:002024-02-24T17:23:36.972-08:00God Is My Helper<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NrDUmIWkfqM/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/NrDUmIWkfqM?si=BSQQjRShWXzohF6E" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-22076741817168335842024-02-21T22:39:00.000-08:002024-02-21T22:39:08.664-08:00On Whose Side?<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/AHQBtm-W_gE?si=KQ9z9rO8k3_jr_vS" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-72386805687905838242024-02-18T17:16:00.000-08:002024-02-18T17:16:34.829-08:00The Place of Solitude<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/QwFj9eJ8gpg?si=Q4YR8OKLl-L-chyC" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-2370033459326743942024-02-14T14:42:00.000-08:002024-02-14T14:42:22.604-08:00Feast or Fast - A Spiritual Paradox for Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/tJzwmmrH5vg?si=7xUlKdiTigLHvl0v" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-26130274437559917842024-02-11T10:36:00.000-08:002024-02-11T10:36:00.428-08:00Do Not Let the Darkness Define You - Mark 134<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mXUFVdYazD8/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mXUFVdYazD8?si=og3eOU95Nw25Lgv4" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-88256379650999994602024-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:002024-01-28T10:37:30.746-08:00With Authority - More exploration of Mark 1 29-39<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/2PieuwqxDQ0?si=3jk6CfZeW8KJIljY" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-54473013302122729962024-01-27T14:38:00.000-08:002024-01-27T14:38:44.248-08:00Cuttlefish Thinking What could we change in our lives by thinking diff...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/3ECty78V79U?si=y0yHc5GP6LxrJnVC" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-61671625268330985492024-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:002024-01-25T12:11:59.782-08:00Still Breathing Threats - Turn-Aounds When Things Aree Going the Wrong W...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/QHhN5MqrTBQ?si=Sv6FBL_E_HJ-b-YD" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-46698702072711036872024-01-24T12:08:00.000-08:002024-01-24T12:08:06.659-08:00Holy Collaboration<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/UkiBkvO4VsE?si=vUGT3z75Y-sGtMPo" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-84211506446169577372024-01-23T11:20:00.000-08:002024-01-23T11:20:15.383-08:00A Man with a Mat and a Desire to Change<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/kwP4U0L5zHI?si=TQ_wtNYrjs7bGBh_" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-3885573781068373062024-01-22T14:24:00.000-08:002024-01-22T14:24:04.616-08:00Deliverance Mark 1 21-27<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qsFwzdShSR0?si=fVmz5m9xCR0FY2jN" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-85419906284932797512024-01-22T14:23:00.000-08:002024-01-22T14:23:51.994-08:00Deliverance Mark 1 21-27<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qsFwzdShSR0?si=fVmz5m9xCR0FY2jN" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-69329456054832928812024-01-22T14:22:00.000-08:002024-01-22T14:22:30.040-08:00Integrity and Sustaining Grace in Days of Trouble and Sickness When Enem...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/aDpd7_FGUbU?si=WhikrOfdsRFwte3K" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077897.post-57976714793017235162024-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:002024-01-21T12:47:29.513-08:00Jesus and Jonah - The Urgency of Turning because the time is now and all...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/CpGNSc_-ISw?si=iAMt025UGPPrjQzf" frameborder="0"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com/atom.xml</div>Tom Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02230800786660841582noreply@blogger.com0