Mississippi Delta Christmas

Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA CHRISTMAS
By Jill Woodliff

‘Emmanuel’ the organ pipes blare.
‘God is love’ is in the air.
The lakes resound God’s good news
As words of praise fill the pews.
Swamps and rivers clap their hand,
In homage to God o’ our land.
Sycamores raise high their arms
As songs of joy fill the farms.
Pine needles join in the dance
As angels ‘cross their boughs do prance.

Glory to God in underground cisterns,
Glory to God in rows and furrows,
Glory to God in cumulus and cirrus,
Glory to God in tractors and harrows,
Glory to God, O Delta land.

Time, and times, and half a time
Gloria Deus rightly chime,
Glory today, Glory tomorrow,
Glory, O ancient days of sorrow,
Christ has come to save!

Syria

Was not Aram of Shem’s bloodline? Blessed be the Lord God of Shem and blessed be Shem’s bloodline and his descendants in Syria.

We thank You, Father, for the defeat of Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar by Abram on Syrian soil. We cry out for the continued defeat in Syria of the demonic spirits represented by these four kings.

Was not Aram of Shem’s bloodline? Blessed be the Lord God of Shem and blessed be Shem’s bloodline and his descendants in Syria.

We thank You, Father, for the patriarch’s wives Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel from Syria. We cry out for new blessings and new life in Syria.

Was not Aram of Shem’s bloodline? Blessed be the Lord God of Shem and blessed be Shem’s bloodline and his descendants in Syria.

We thank You, Father, for the obedience of Your servant Ananias who opened Saul’s eyes in Damascus. We cry out for new vision and new disciples to come forth from the obedience of the Christians in Syria.

Was not Aram of Shem’s bloodline? Blessed be the Lord God of Shem and blessed be Shem’s bloodline and his descendants in Syria.

Christmas poem–a centenary reading

Robert Bridges (1844-1930) was a physician and a poet laureate of Britain.

Noël: Christmas Eve 1913

by Robert Bridges
Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis

A frosty Christmas Eve
when the stars were shining
Fared I forth alone
where westward falls the hill,
And from many a village
in the water’d valley
Distant music reach’d me
peals of bells aringing:
The constellated sounds
ran sprinkling on earth’s floor
As the dark vault above
with stars was spangled o’er.
Then sped my thoughts to keep
that first Christmas of all
When the shepherds watching
by their folds ere the dawn
Heard music in the fields
and marveling could not tell
Whether it were angels
or the bright stars singing.

Now blessed be the tow’rs
that crown England so fair
That stand up strong in prayer
unto God for our souls
Blessed be their founders
(said I) an’ our country folk
Who are ringing for Christ
in the belfries to-night
With arms lifted to clutch
the rattling ropes that race
Into the dark above
and the mad romping din.

But to me heard afar
it was starry music
Angels’ song, comforting
as the comfort of Christ
When he spake tenderly
to his sorrowful flock:
The old words came to me
by the riches of time
Mellow’d and transfigured
as I stood on the hill
Heark’ning in the aspect
of th’ eternal silence.

– See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22721#sthash.cpyHBkow.dpuf

Syrian chemical weapons

The chemical weapons are being transported to the port Latakia, Syria.

Revelation 12:17 (ESV)
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Father in heaven, we humbly request You to commission Your holy angels to guard the transportation of the chemical weapons to Latakia and from Syria. Amen.

Syrian chemical weapons

From an AP article:

Under the plan by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, chemicals will be transported from 12 storage sites to Latakia in Syria. Russia is providing armored trucks and other equipment to help transport them.

The chemicals will then be loaded onto Danish and Norwegian ships and shipped to an Italian port, where the most toxic chemicals — including materials used to make mustard gas and sarin — will be transferred to a U.S. ship for destruction at sea.

Isaiah 11:1-10 (NKJV)
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. . . .
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea.
“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Dear Father,
The nations desire these chemical weapons to be destroyed. Jesus, the Desire of All Nations, stands as a banner to Syria. We humbly ask that these weapons be destroyed without further loss of life. Does not Jesus decide with equity for the meek? May His peaceable kingdom be established in the transport of these weapons. Amen.

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
      Jesus, please give us eyes to see and ears to hear the crying of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner.

      Holy Spirit, help us reach out to the lost and the least with the compassion of Jesus.

      Father of the fatherless, help us receive the orphans and those caught up in the foster care system with your love and caring. Thank you

A word received: Remember the poor and needy.

A word received: Wait on me, turn to me. I AM your hope.

Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Zech. 8:9-17: Rev. 6:1-17: Matt. 25:31-46
Sunday: 24,: 29 * 8, 84; Gen 3:18-15: Rev. 12:1-10: John 3:16-21
Fourth Sunday of Advent: 24 or 24:1-7; Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, December 21, 2013, 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Louise Popa, Steve Evans, David Haigh, and Torre Bissell on State St. and Carol MacNaughton and Mark Pasko on Albany St.

One of the things that is always fascinating to us is that weather is no indicator of the number of people that will stop for prayer. It was raining, and yet the people came.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
g–indicates received gloves
h–indicates received a g\hat
a–indicates was anointed with Holy Water
199–“199 Promises of God”, a small paperback with encouraging quotes from the Bible

State St.

g Elizabeth (older woman) — She asked prayer that she would be kept safe and warm.

Steve (man) — We prayed that he would get a location to start his business.

ggghh 3 guys stopped for gloves and hats.

+ h g Todd (young man) — Todd first asked, “What are you doing here?” We said we were here to pray for people who needed prayer. He asked prayer that he would get health care coverage. When he left he said, “Thank you, my brothers.”

Stephen (young man, regular) — He was out getting stuff for his father, trying to help his father out.

+ g h Boogie Boogie (man) — General prayer.

+ Andrew (man) — He asked prayer for a woman named Linda who is being evicted on Monday.

Tobias (regular) — He wanted prayer to get free from sin.

Walter (regular) — We asked prayer that God would keep him safe.

The Bus Driver honked and waved to us.

+ 199 Tony (young man) — He had previously given his life to Jesus but he had “backslid”. We helped him “frontslid” by confessing his sins to Jesus, asking for forgiveness and accepting God’s forgiveness. We gave him If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) and explained to him that he was now clean. A look of real joy on his face.

++++ 199 Janice (regular) — She got four crosses to pass out to others. She had already passed out the ones we gave her at the City Mission on Thursday.

+Len (young man) — He said, “Pray for me.”

Vincent (man) — We prayed that God would provide for him.

+Marcus and Anaili (young girl, 5)

+ a 199 Ashley (young woman) — She said the devil is trying tear her down. We prayed against all demonic spirits attacking her and prayed for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

+Donna

+++ Casey (mom), Guiyani and Srianmari (2 young girls)

+ 199 Sarah — She came up to the table and said, “I want to get back to Jesus.” She confessing her sins to Jesus, asking for forgiveness and accepting God’s forgiveness. We gave her If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) and explained to her that she was now clean.

Albany St., 9:40-10:45, Carol MacNaughton Mark Pasko and guitar. It was raining slightly, we prayed for the rain to stop and it did.

Ranu – (man blind in one eye, visited the table last week) – was there as soon as we sat up! He is doing better! He has found a church and is pursuing God. We prayed again for the healing of his eye.

H Clarice (regular) prayers for her son Scott’s safety, coming home soon. We also prayed for relief of her back pain.

GH Allah – prayers for his family

GH – unknown man who blessed us

++ Jailon – we prayed for his life in total, feeling lonely at Christmas. We also prayed for Nasya – his 3 year old daughter which a single kidney which is in failure

HG Robert – prayers to make better decisions, keep the peace with his landlord

HG Prim – general blessing

HHHH, ++ Stella and her daughter Angel (regulars) – Stella reports her pastor is doing better since he was prayed for (had a heart attack) and his brother is in ICU – also doing well. We prayed for hastened healing to amaze the doctors. We prayer for Angel’s healing of ADHD. (The extra hats and crosses were for Stella to give away to people she knows who need them)

+H Fernando – his upcoming trip to Peru and for the light of Christ to shine in him and out of him

Tom (regular) – a smooth transition on financials and relationship with his son Paul, about to turn 21.

H+ Latricia (pulled over in her car to come get prayer) – everything (tears as we prayed)

Albany Intercessor

Church of England

Psalm 138:1-2 (NKJV)
I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Our Father in heaven,
We thank Your word and Your holy name, Your lovingkindness and Your truth. May Your word be blessed and Your name be praised in the Church of England. Amen.

Golden bowls for Syria

Revelation 5:8 (ESV)
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Our Father in heaven,
I do not understand the economy of prayer in heaven. Are they used to make music or pleasant odors or colors or healing anointings? How do they affect heaven and impact earth? Can You multiply the prayers the way Jesus multiplied the bread? Are there missing prayers–prayers that in our sin and ignorance we know not how to pray?
This is a mystery too great for me. Have mercy and bless the golden bowls of prayers for Syria. Amen.

Syria

Habakkuk’s name means to “embrace” or “wrestle.” His name has something to do with the message of the book. If God is good, then why is there evil in the world? And if there has to be evil, then why do the evil prosper? What is God doing in the world? Yet in the end of the book, his faith remains intact, and he worships God.
I read it and thought of Syria.

We trust in You, dear Lord. We trust in You.–JW

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4 (NIV)

 1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

² How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
³ Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
⁴ Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.

The Lord’s Answer

² Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
³ For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

⁴ “See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

Matthew 25:14-19 and Zechariah 7:8-10

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. (Matthew 25:14-15)
      Holy Spirit, please help me use the abilities you have given to me for the building up of the kingdom of heaven.

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. (Matthew 25:16-17)
      Jesus, help me use whatever you have given me to the best of my ability.

But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. (Matthew 25:18 )
      Father, help me repent of failing to use the abilities you have given me. Guide me so that I do not bury them and make them unfruitful. Keep me from being ashamed of not having the abilities that other have, but instead rejoice in what you have given me to use.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (Matthew 25:19)
      Lord, I know the day will come when I must give an accounting of my stewardship. When that day comes, I pray that you will find me at the work you have given me to do. Thank you.

Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’ “ (Zechariah 7:8-10)
      LORD, help us hearken to your words: let there be true justice, mercy and compassion for widows, orphans, aliens, and the poor. Help each of us seek the good of our brothers.

Friday: 40, 54 * 51; Zech. 7:8-8:8: Rev. 5:6-14: Matt. 25:14-30
Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Zech. 8:9-17: Rev. 6:1-17: Matt. 25:31-46

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Schenectady City Mission Prayer Table Report, Thursday, December 19, 2013, 5:15 – 6:10 p.m.. Torre and Jean Bissell, and Chuck Rinaldo from Christ Church Schenectady. This took place during the evening meal at the City Mission.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
a–indicates anointed with Holy Water
199–“199 Promises of God”, a small paperback with encouraging quotes from the Bible

Dan — He had worked 40 hours in 4 days and was going home to rest. We prayed for refreshment for him.

Ted (volunteer) — His granddaughter Camille has stopped all meds. The doctors want to test her bone marrow to see if there is cancer. Ted also asked prayer for his brother Rob for guidance in making housing decisions.

+ a 199 Chuck (father, 48 ) and Kobe (son, 3) — They are going to New York City to visit family.

+Erlise (man) — He came over to thank God for his family.

Smiley and Gary — They were thanking God and praising him. Gary gave thanks for the good connection he had with his 29 year old son. Gary is also fighting a cold.

Sue [already had a Dennis Adams cross on](woman) — We prayed that she would be strong and steady with God. Her boyfriend needs prayer. We gave her two crosses to pass on to others.

Keith (man) — We prayed for guidance and comfort for him.

Albany Intercessor

Glastonbury

Chalice Well is a holy well situated at the foot of Glastonbury Tor in the county of Somerset, England (Diocese of Bath and Wells). Archaeological evidence suggests that the well has been in almost constant use for at least two thousand years.
Christian mythology suggests that Chalice Well marks the site where Joseph of Arimathea placed the chalice that had caught the drops of Christ’s blood at the Crucifixion. In addition to the legends associated with Glastonbury, the Well is often portrayed as a symbol of the female aspect of deity, with the male symbolised by Glastonbury Tor. As such, it is a popular destination for pilgrims in search of the divine feminine, including modern pagans.
Wells often feature in Welsh and Irish mythology as gateways to the spirit world. The overlapping of the inner and outer worlds is represented by the well cover, two interlocking circles, which constitute the symbol known as the vesica piscis. The vesica piscis has been the subject of mystical speculation at several periods of history, and is viewed as important in Freemasonry, Kabbalah, and New Age.

Habakkuk 3:8 Young’s Literal Translation
Against rivers hath Jehovah been wroth? Against rivers [is] Thine anger? Against the sea [is] Thy wrath? For Thou dost ride on Thy horses — Thy chariots of salvation?

Holy Father,
You close doors no man or spirit can open and open doors no one can shut.
We ask that You would close the spiritual portals to evil spirits over Glastonbury’s Chalice Well. We pray that You will reveal Your Son, the Victorious, True Lord Christ Jesus, before Whose Holy and powerful Name, Cross and Blood all other spirits must bow.
We hope and pray for the establishment of Your Holy Son, Your Name and Your reign over Glastonbury’s Chalice Well. Stir the nether waters and let there be healing of this land and this well. Amen.

Reference: Portions of this prayer came from one of our readers.

Zechariah 4 and Psalm 33

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. (Zechariah 4:1)
      Lord, your church is asleep; wake us up.

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
      Jesus, please help us repent of depending on our own strength or wisdom, and receive your Holy Spirit more and more into our lives.

‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ “ (Zechariah 4:7)
      Jesus, you are the capstone of my life — thank you for giving me what I don’t deserve, for giving me your grace.

For who has despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10a)
      Father, give me a heart to rejoice in everything and everyone that you treasure. Help me to embrace the lost and the least, the poor, and the lonely. Thank you.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:18-19)
      O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

A word received: Do you forget to give me thanks and praise when I answer your prayers?

Thursday: 50 * [59, 60] or 33; Zech. 4:1-14: Rev. 4:9-5:5: Matt. 25:1-13
Friday: 40, 54 * 51; Zech. 7:8-8:8: Rev. 5:6-14: Matt. 25:14-30

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Cathedral Prayer Table Report 12-18-13, Cold with lots of snow, so we’re staying indoors. Dcn Plaske, Hilda Hardy, Jana Lingo

Paul – Bishop Ball, Dcn Carpenter, Fr. Mc Quade, Tripp, Bailey family – all health

anonymous woman – thanks for being here.

Mike – to know God’s intentions

Jessica – safe delivery – baby due 12/22

Hilda- Co-worker Linda with flu.

Albany Intercessor

Advent quotes: Advent is for Adoring Jesus

Advent is not just about acknowledging Jesus, but adoring him. Christmas is not first about witness, but about worship. So, come, all ye faithful. Come, joyful and triumphant. Let us adore our Christ.

— from an excellent blog entry at Desiring God, read it all!

Decemer 18 Advent Devotional – Advent Antiphons Day 2: O Adonai

Today in Advent we celebrate and remember that Jesus is Lord and call on Him to Redeem us:

O Adonai, et dux domus Israel,
qui Moyse in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

Scriptures to read & reflect on:

Exodus 3:2;  Isaiah 33:22; 63:11-12;  Micah 6:4;  Acts 7:30-31

from this helpful table with all the Antiphons in Latin & English

***

O Adonai and Ruler of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him your law.  Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.

Exodus 3:2: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush.  As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed”.

Exodus 6:6: “Therefore say to the Israelites: I am Yahweh.  I will free you from the enforced labor of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery.  I will rescue you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment”.

“Adonai” is Hebrew for “my Lord”, and was substituted by devout Jews for the name “Yahweh”, out of reverence.  With this second antiphon we progress from creation to the familiar story of God manifesting himself by name to Moses and giving his law to Israel as their way of life.  We are also reminded of the Israelites’ deliverance from bondage under pharaoh – a foreshadowing of our own redemption from sin.  The image of God’s arm outstretched in power to save his chosen people also brings to mind the later scene of Jesus with his arms outstretched for us on the cross.

From Jeanne Kun’s wonderful series of reflections on the Antiphons of Advent

***

I can’t think of crying to Jesus, our Adonai, without thinking of the CCM group Avalon’s wonderful worship song Adonai.  Perfect for today!

***

Read more about the O Antiphons and find links to other resources here.

Syrian roads

The Syrian chemical weapons must be transported on various roads to the port of departure.  This makes them vulnerable to hijacking.

O Father,

It was on a road that the Moabite woman Ruth, an ancestor of Christ, pledged allegiance to You.  It was on the road to Bethlehem that Mary carried the unborn Christ child.  It was on the road to Egypt that Joseph and Mary carried Him to safety.  It was on a road to Caesarea Philippi that Peter proclaims Him the Messiah.  It was on the road to Golgotha that He carried His cross.  It was on a road that Phillip witnessed of His saving power to an Ethiopian eunuch. It was on the road to Damascus that Christ spoke to Paul, missionary to the Gentiles.

Let the roads of Syria be avenues of life, and not death.  Christ Jesus!  Stand over the roads of Syria.  Amen.