2316AFC042123 – Whadaya know!
Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often.
Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.
Acts 2:32-33 – 32 This [same]* Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.
* In the koine Greek used in Acts, the word for same is houtos. I can put the Greek letters here, but they might not display correctly on your screen: οὗτος. So it turns out that this word, which is used in a bunch of places in the Bible, means this one, the one who was visibly present here among us, the one just named and none other than this one. There’s not another one, there’s no way it could be someone else. It will be precisely, exactly, permanently that same Jesus who died on the Cross and was raised up to Glory at the right hand of God. Follow up with 1917AFC042619 – THIS is important
Psalm 16:7, 11 a –
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
11 You show me the path of life.
1 Peter 1:20-21 – 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Luke 24:35 – 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. This is the story of the Road to Emmaus. You’ll recall that later that same day – RESURRECTION DAY – he took a little trip to a village that was about 7 (yep, seven!) miles from Jerusalem. More on that later, first, though, I want to call to mind some very meaningful events that happened during Spring:
- February 25th – 46th anniversary of my confirmation at St. Bede church in Montgomery AL
- March 27th – 75th anniversary of my baptism as an infant at 1st Presbyterian Church in Rapid City SD
- April 3rd – 68th anniversary 1st profession of faith at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver. I had tyo recite the Apostles Creed unassisted.
- April 5th – 54th anniversary of my baptism and first communion as a Catholic in 1969
- April 18th – 57th anniversary of my selection for membership at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver CO
- April 19 – 54th anniversary or our Holy Matrimony. Charles O. Todd, III married Crucita A. Gonzales at Chapel 2 on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio TX.
Events like these matter, and that is why we remember them. The First Eucharist is at the top of the list for important things to remember – “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we follow those simple instructions, life changes. And the change is for the better!
I would be remiss to focus only on these joyful celebrations when there are so many tragic incidents in our nation and in our world. The shocking events with the mass shootings of defenseless people, brutal deaths imposed by – and even upon – law enforcement officers, the evil actions perpetrated and boasted about by those who attempt to defend the so-called “right’ to murder the unborn, the grievous wars and persecutions all across the globe, and the corruption we see in all manner of institutions of government. All these are signifiers of the evil that underlies a pervasive culture of blatant deception and death. For those who commit such heinous and dehumanizing acts of terror, murder, and indifference to the sacredness of life, let us all the more reaffirm our resolve to make faith, hope, and love prevail (↔ Music Link) and above all to love one another as He has loved us. Belovéd, the whole purpose of the Moon Beam Network is to pray for one another and to feast on the Word. St. Ambrose of Milan said, “He who reads much and understands much receives his fill. He who is full refreshes others. So Scripture says: “If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.” And if hearts are full of Love, the rain they make is refreshing indeed!
Let’s look back at our Key Verse from The Apostle Peter. He is on fire with the Holy Spirit and speaking with a boldness and certainty he did not have until then. He knows what he is saying is True, and it has liberated him to be a witness (martyr) for Jesus. The first thing he is moved to do is to share his anointing with others. His heart is overflowing with Divine Love, and he cannot hold it back – it bursts forth like summer rain which waters the Earth and brings forth new life. He is experiencing that limitless flow of Living Water Jesus talked about with the Samaritan woman. The Fire of the Spirit and the Waters of Rebirth! That is certainly something to S H O U T about, something to celebrate, something to remember! Look at the Key Verse again. Do you see that there are TWO asterisks? Wherever you see “this” written in Scripture, remember THIS is important. We have another important statement in Psalm 16. Let’s have another look at it.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 11 You show me the path of life. How wonderful it is when we walk with the Lord with humble patience! With him, we are always seeing the World more like God sees it, and less like we formerly saw it before we joined him and his Disciples on the Road Home. Even when we are at rest, we converse with him and he with us. As we go toward the place he has 
prepared for us, we can be confident that we will remember Isaiah 30:21 – 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Even as we sleep, our hearts are filled with good will, our ears with good advice, and our eyes with good rest. Our hearts are filled with gladness and our souls do rejoice, even our bodies flourish with confidence because we know our Road Home will bring us to Life Everlasting. Here’s why:
King David, the Psalmist, knew all this because God had revealed it to him in countless ways. David understood that God already knew how sin would be eradicated, Life would be restored, and God would once more live among his people. Jesus, the Christ of God, would bring all things back together by his incarnation, holy life, and salvific death. In David’s time, the Messiah was foreknown, but not yet manifested in the World. He came to Shepherd God’s sheep, (↔ Learning Link) the Peoples who follow his voice. What would happen if you and I were listening for Jesus’ voice and he said “Follow Me” (↔ Music Link) right this minute? Belovéd, is it true – as The Apostle Peter said – that our faith and hope are in God? If that is true, then we can pray in bold confidence, ” Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us.” Were not our hearts burning within us?!? (↔ Music Link)
My Belovéd sisters and brothers in Christ, these two Disciples recognized Jesus “in the breaking of the bread.” In what do I, do you, do we – whose determination it is to walk with him – recognize him? If indeed we walk with him, then do we see him in all the Corporal and Spiritual Acts of Mercy? ⇓ If not, why not? If so, then Whadaya know! If we see him there, we can see him anywhere and everywhere just as easily as saying it because he will be saying, “turn here, do this, help them in secret, rejoice and be glad, for your Father in Heaven who sees in secret will call you by name and we’ll all walk Home together.” Whadaya know about that? It sure sounds good to me! Do you want to know why? IT’S IN THE APP! Dear Friends, remember: YOLO-F
|
Corporal Acts of Mercy
feed the hungry
give drink to the thirsty
clothe the naked
shelter the homeless
visit the sick
visit the imprisoned
bury the dead
|
Spiritual Acts of Mercy
counsel the doubtful
instruct the ignorant
admonish sinners
comfort the afflicted
forgive offenses
bear wrongs patiently
pray for the living and the dead |
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!
Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
2316AFC042123 – Whadaya know!
Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often.
Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.
Acts 2:32-33 – 32 This [same]* Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.
* In the koine Greek used in Acts, the word for same is houtos. I can put the Greek letters here, but they might not display correctly on your screen: οὗτος. So it turns out that this word, which is used in a bunch of places in the Bible, means this one, the one who was visibly present here among us, the one just named and none other than this one. There’s not another one, there’s no way it could be someone else. It will be precisely, exactly, permanently that same Jesus who died on the Cross and was raised up to Glory at the right hand of God. Follow up with 1917AFC042619 – THIS is important
Psalm 16:7, 11 a –
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
11 You show me the path of life.
1 Peter 1:20-21 – 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Luke 24:35 – 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. This is the story of the Road to Emmaus. You’ll recall that later that same day – RESURRECTION DAY – he took a little trip to a village that was about 7 (yep, seven!) miles from Jerusalem. More on that later, first, though, I want to call to mind some very meaningful events that happened during Spring:
- February 25th – 46th anniversary of my confirmation at St. Bede church in Montgomery AL
- March 27th – 75th anniversary of my baptism as an infant at 1st Presbyterian Church in Rapid City SD
- April 3rd – 68th anniversary 1st profession of faith at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver. I had tyo recite the Apostles Creed unassisted.
- April 5th – 54th anniversary of my baptism and first communion as a Catholic in 1969
- April 18th – 57th anniversary of my selection for membership at Corona Presbyterian Church in Denver CO
- April 19 – 54th anniversary or our Holy Matrimony. Charles O. Todd, III married Crucita A. Gonzales at Chapel 2 on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio TX.
Events like these matter, and that is why we remember them. The First Eucharist is at the top of the list for important things to remember – “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we follow those simple instructions, life changes. And the change is for the better!
I would be remiss to focus only on these joyful celebrations when there are so many tragic incidents in our nation and in our world. The shocking events with the mass shootings of defenseless people, brutal deaths imposed by – and even upon – law enforcement officers, the evil actions perpetrated and boasted about by those who attempt to defend the so-called “right’ to murder the unborn, the grievous wars and persecutions all across the globe, and the corruption we see in all manner of institutions of government. All these are signifiers of the evil that underlies a pervasive culture of blatant deception and death. For those who commit such heinous and dehumanizing acts of terror, murder, and indifference to the sacredness of life, let us all the more reaffirm our resolve to make faith, hope, and love prevail (↔ Music Link) and above all to love one another as He has loved us. Belovéd, the whole purpose of the Moon Beam Network is to pray for one another and to feast on the Word. St. Ambrose of Milan said, “He who reads much and understands much receives his fill. He who is full refreshes others. So Scripture says: “If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.” And if hearts are full of Love, the rain they make is refreshing indeed!
Let’s look back at our Key Verse from The Apostle Peter. He is on fire with the Holy Spirit and speaking with a boldness and certainty he did not have until then. He knows what he is saying is True, and it has liberated him to be a witness (martyr) for Jesus. The first thing he is moved to do is to share his anointing with others. His heart is overflowing with Divine Love, and he cannot hold it back – it bursts forth like summer rain which waters the Earth and brings forth new life. He is experiencing that limitless flow of Living Water Jesus talked about with the Samaritan woman. The Fire of the Spirit and the Waters of Rebirth! That is certainly something to S H O U T about, something to celebrate, something to remember! Look at the Key Verse again. Do you see that there are TWO asterisks? Wherever you see “this” written in Scripture, remember THIS is important. We have another important statement in Psalm 16. Let’s have another look at it.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 11 You show me the path of life. How wonderful it is when we walk with the Lord with humble patience! With him, we are always seeing the World more like God sees it, and less like we formerly saw it before we joined him and his Disciples on the Road Home. Even when we are at rest, we converse with him and he with us. As we go toward the place he has prepared for us, we can be confident that we will remember Isaiah 30:21 – 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Even as we sleep, our hearts are filled with good will, our ears with good advice, and our eyes with good rest. Our hearts are filled with gladness and our souls do rejoice, even our bodies flourish with confidence because we know our Road Home will bring us to Life Everlasting. Here’s why:
King David, the Psalmist, knew all this because God had revealed it to him in countless ways. David understood that God already knew how sin would be eradicated, Life would be restored, and God would once more live among his people. Jesus, the Christ of God, would bring all things back together by his incarnation, holy life, and salvific death. In David’s time, the Messiah was foreknown, but not yet manifested in the World. He came to Shepherd God’s sheep, (↔ Learning Link) the Peoples who follow his voice. What would happen if you and I were listening for Jesus’ voice and he said “Follow Me” (↔ Music Link) right this minute? Belovéd, is it true – as The Apostle Peter said – that our faith and hope are in God? If that is true, then we can pray in bold confidence, ” Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us.” Were not our hearts burning within us?!? (↔ Music Link)
My Belovéd sisters and brothers in Christ, these two Disciples recognized Jesus “in the breaking of the bread.” In what do I, do you, do we – whose determination it is to walk with him – recognize him? If indeed we walk with him, then do we see him in all the Corporal and Spiritual Acts of Mercy? ⇓ If not, why not? If so, then Whadaya know! If we see him there, we can see him anywhere and everywhere just as easily as saying it because he will be saying, “turn here, do this, help them in secret, rejoice and be glad, for your Father in Heaven who sees in secret will call you by name and we’ll all walk Home together.” Whadaya know about that? It sure sounds good to me! Do you want to know why? IT’S IN THE APP! Dear Friends, remember: YOLO-F
|
Corporal Acts of Mercy
feed the hungry
give drink to the thirsty
clothe the naked
shelter the homeless
visit the sick
visit the imprisoned
bury the dead
|
Spiritual Acts of Mercy
counsel the doubtful
instruct the ignorant
admonish sinners
comfort the afflicted
forgive offenses
bear wrongs patiently
pray for the living and the dead |
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!
Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
