photo sept 17 2006

 

watching from above

 

today butterfly and leaf same color

 

queens mating yesterday afternoon

 

taken yesterday afternoon

 

Sept 17 2006

Is 50:5-9a The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?

Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
I love the LORD because he has heardmy voice in supplication, Because he has inclined his ear to methe day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
The cords of death encompassed me;the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow, And I called upon the name of the LORD,“O LORD, save my life!”
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
Gracious is the LORD and just; yes, our God is merciful. The LORD keeps the little ones;I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
For he has freed my soul from death,my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

Mk 8:27-35 Jesus and his disciples set outfor the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples,“Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them,“But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply,“You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach themthat the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

The Christian identity is addressed in the gospel. Jesus is very clear that not wanting to suffer or be rejected is the antithesis of the the Way of God and it is a giving in to Satan. I have been thinking about the ways in my lifestyle the past week that might be a giving in to Satan. I had an inspirational conversation several days ago with a colleague who was preparing a sermon on staying awake and being watchful. She was telling me about the moments that people can put their guard down and how they can be opportunities for the devil. In the midst of the storm or on a bright sunny day, the Lord asks us to stay awake and be on guard against the devil also to be ready and willing to make sacrifices and suffer injustices as a part of serving God.

I believe the message and understand the meaning however in the living out of the faith I know that there are times that I am weary. There also are constant temptations and challenges the pop up everywhere and at all times. I need to remind myself to ask in all my actions what God's will is in all that I do. I have a tendency to sometimes just rush in or jump into things before looking at the big picture. I pray this morning for the vision and hearing and wisdom to see and know God's will for me in what I do today and this entire week as I embark on some new ministries and ask for God's blessings and grace as I prepare for them.