Silence? In Heaven?!

“There was silence in heaven for about the space of half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1) Silence in heaven?! What a unique thought. I imagine Heaven brimming with melodious, none intrusive sounds. What would cause all those millions of joyful angels to fold their wings and wait? What were they waiting for? It seems like even the flowers, rippling like multicolored seas of beauty, were still. And what about the people; those that had been redeemed and milling around on those golden streets, normally so happy to share, to fellowship with each other, why were they mute?            `

I think they knew, and they were holding their collective breath.

The Mysterious Disease

He held his head high, he was one of the elite, no one would ever find out his secret. His robe was as luxurious, gleaming white as the best. His locks shining like a dark resplendent crown upon his intelligent brow.  As he laughed, joked or discoursed learnedly according to the occasion, his eyes twinkled with life; even they did not give away his deep dark secret.

Festering

Do you remember the story about the boy who owned a pellet gun?

You're Spying On Me!

I suppose a lot of you have listened  to the trailer by now and are wondering when the audio will come out. Well, if you'll stop peering over my shoulder I will let you read some of the editing I was doing this afternoon. 

This is way beyond what you have read last: Jesus is a grown man and teaching the multitudes.

About mid-morning, while we were strolling along through the sunlit countryside, I saw one youngster snatch a fold of His tefilah shawl in his hand, and shout;

“I touched him, now I am a healer, too!” How Yeshua tolerated such nonsense can only be attributed to what a kind hearted Man He is. I am sure He is

tuned to every movement around Him even while teaching.

            This was the same day that He suddenly stopped in His tracks.   Several of the pushier sorts had walked on well ahead of Him before realizing He had stayed in one place.

“Who touched Me?” His voice rang out clearly.

I saw that youngster shrink back behind someone’s skirts, but Yeshua’s

eyes were not searching him out. The talmidim were bewildered that

he would ask a question like that in such a mob,  my curiosity

was aroused.

I caught sight of a stooped little old lady about the

same time Yeshua did. She had such a dazed but radiant look on her

face, I do not think she even noticed that the throng wasn’t milling

around so much anymore. She wasn’t even aware that some folks were

staring at her while others were craning their necks to see why we had

stopped. When she saw that Yeshua wasn’t too busy to give her heed,

she flung herself down at His feet, with tears of joy she babbled her

thanksgiving.

She had been suffering from some kind of bleeding disease; an ulcer

perhaps, and sensed that the moment she had touched His garment

she was well again. Just think,to have been weakened from loss of blood for such a long time, then to feel healthy in a moment. How wonderful that must have been! She was so happy I think many of us basked in her joy, although I did hear mutterings of discontent.

“Daughter,” He said. Although I am sure she was older than I by far it

didn’t seem strange coming from Him, “Your faith made you well; go

in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

By the look on her face I knew she was thinking; all I did

was touch the fringe on His tefilah shawl! I saw rapturous adoration in her eyes

before the crowd once again closed around Him.

https://soundcloud.com/hollywoodbooktrailers/marys-diary-official-book-trailer-by-marilyn-frieson

Some People Deserve to Die--And Some Don't

 Back in 1908, or so, (yes, that was before my time,) something happened that touched my heart. Someone did something awful, really, really awful and he killed another human being. He deserves to be condemned to death, right? But his attorney saw things differently. I think he must have visited with this prisoner many times, and became convinced the man deeply regretted what he had done. Most likely the guilty man didn’t give a whole list of excuses why he committed that horrendous act. He knew he was a sinner, and his advocate knew that he knew so he pled his cause.

In those days the man probably didn’t have a hope or not being hung from a tree or whatever means of punishment they used in his area, so it came to him as a surprise when the verdict was changed to a life sentence.  There were tears of gratitude in his eyes when he was led away.

I wish I could fill in the names of the key characters, my written source had not included them, but let’s put our own names into the blank.

We have been condemned to die, we are guilty. Our sin separates as from God. We can offer a multitude of excuses why we are like we are, but they won’t get us anywhere, certainly not to Heaven. An advocate came, and plead our cause. Perhaps it was because of His deep sacrificial love-I’m talking about Jesus now- we began to feel remorse then repentant. Yes, we admit, we deserve to die, but we are sorry, very sorry. The death sentence is lifted.

Do we run away scot free? Do we want to? Not if we truly realize what Jesus saved us from. In gratitude we will offer to be bond slaves to Jesus. It’s a whole lot easier than to be imprisoned by guilt and sin. It’s a whole lot easier in another way also. There is warmth and joy in such close fellowship.

What do you choose?

http://www.authorsden.com/marilynffriesen

An Imaginary Visit With Jesus.

Mother's Days

Today I want to share a poem with you that I wrote many years ago. Hopefully it will be an encouragement to young mothers all around the globe.

Sometimes I get to sighing

And wish that I could see

The Savior come a-knocking

To spend the day with me.

Help! Where Have I Been?

 Help! Where have I been?? I've been feeling like my tires were

spinning in a mud hole while  the tools I needed were in my trunk all along.  So what tools you ask? 

I WILL. I Will.

What's the Use of a Broken Mirror

So what is the meaning of life? Silly question, eh? Alexandros Papaderos' students certainly thought so when one of their colleagues popped the question. But their teacher didn't.

So This Is Me

I live and breathe writing, but not just any kind. Penetrating the darkness seems to be a pet theme, or phrase with me. This world is so full of shadows that come in many different shapes and forms. You know what the chains that want to tighten you are, whether they are poverty, fear, pain, heartache in its many kinds, or something else. I have given my life to bringing a ray of light into this dark and hurting world.

Another thought I like is this description of a glowing candle.  It is warm and beckoning with just enough of a glow to be deeply appreciated, but not so much that you feel unhappy with the glare or the heat.

Come in and help yourself to a candle and together let us seek the Light of the World, who is Jesus.

Lovingly, Marilyn

P.S. I’m not a very conspicuous person: auburn haired, round faced, smiley with gentle eyes and what you might call an old fashioned grandmotherly look.  Because we like people so much we have a bed and breakfast. If you want to visit us you can find it under the listings for air bnb (bed and breakfast) Alberta.

The First Christmas Has Arrived!!!

Festival of lights

25^th  Kislev

December 9^th

He’s come! Yehoshua has come! I cannot begin to express my

gratitude, and adoration! What a privilege it is to be the first one to

hold the treasured Son of God. Oh dear, tears are running down my

face again! He is so precious. I just can’t say it enough. It tugs at my

heart strings when I see how incredibly tiny and helpless He, the Son

of El’Shaddai, is.

Mary's Memories of the First Christmas

29 Nissan

April 21

Dear Diary;

With tears in my eyes I must admit this has been a low time for me.

My feeling of dwelling in heavenly places has faded to a rather forlorn

memory, and I am not well! After scattering a few kernels of corn to

our flock of chickens, I crept behind the goat-shed to be sick. It didn't relieve the queasiness much.

Mary's View of Christmas

My thoughts have been soaring heavenward with a yearning to be

one with HaShem especially today because the sky shone like shining

molten gold. The whole atmosphere seemed to be hushed as if it is

standing on tiptoe in the Shekinah of Adonai, (the glorious presence of

the Lord of Lords.) Many furlongs away the Sea of Galilee is rippling under this same

glorious sunset. If it reminds me so much of Paradise here, what must

it look like over the waves?

I was lingering near our almond tree, which is shrouded with a

thousand pink and white flowers. Over my arm hung a basket filled with herbs since I had just finished gathering them from our dew-scented garden when a dazzling dove

swept by catching my attention. She was such a bright contrast to the beautiful horizon. As I gazed upon her, I wondered if perchance this would be the time I would see where her little fledglings were hidden. I have been intently watching her for some time now.

I was also enjoying the fresh, invigorating breeze against my cheeks. It was sweetly scented with the fragrance of a million early flowers.

Then a Voice seemed to float towards me.

Mary's Diary, the Life of Jesus through His Mother's Eyes

Some of you have been so good about buying Mary's Diary, the Life of Jesus through His Mother's Eyes, even with it's blah, blah, blah cover. Did I tell you already that I'm getting it redone, and reedited, and I think those of you that haven't bought a copy will like it better than ever. Meanwhile, I will dole out a pre-Christmas preview! So here' the beginning!

By the way, I'll need to think of another title. What do you think of these ideas.

Mary'am Muses
   about her son Jesus

Mary's Journal

Mary's Memories
  of Jesus

More suggests and votes would be most welcome!

April 2^nd

10^th Nissan

             

                          

                              

I will always be grateful to my dignified, elderly Uncle Zachariah

for teaching me to read and write that long ago summer when I was

ten. There are some thoughts that are too personal; too profound to

give voice to, but they must be shared, and writing is the best way.

How can I get close to HaShem? Yet that is what I am striving for.

HaShem means The Name, and is the most respectful title I know to

call The Holy One. We hesitate to speak His Name out loud, but I pray

He will pardon me if I write it from time to time. There is something

About  Adonai , hallowed be His Name, that is dreadful, but I long to have a

more meaningful relationship with Him.

This week I have been thinking much about the sacred prophecies

concerning the Mashiach. (Messiah,) What kind of woman would Yahweh choose

as the mother for His Son? It would be such a delightful honor, and

a privilege! I wish it could be me.

Did you hear my tiny sigh? I suppose hundreds, nay, thousands of talitha, (girls), more honorable than I have longed to cherish the Holy Child as their own, but they were not chosen, so why would I be?

We are of the lowliest of the lowly. The Judeans, particularly the religious leaders, look down their long noses at us Galileans. Do they not think we are so dim-witted

about understanding the finer points of the law?

The Anointed One’s mother would be someone without the many

faults that I have! I imagine she will be someone like the virtuous

woman our noble King Solomon described many years ago. She would

diligently reach out to the poor, and needy, and in her tongue would

be the law of kindness. I have a lot to learn in that area!

I am guessing that the Mother of the Mashiach, (what elegant

sounding words!) would need to be someone of royal birth so she would

know how to groom her Son to become the future King.

 But I am of the right lineage! David is my ancestor. We have the precious documents right here in our chest to prove it. They have been passed down from generation to generation, and are among our most valuable possessions.

Yea, I must admit though, that thousands of others are of the same lineage.

Just this one last time I will confess it hurts deeply that I cannot

mother HaShem’s Son. He must be born of a virgin, and I am soon to

be married.

You will not ere in your thinking, no? I am joyfully planning to

wed my beloved Yosef, but when I do, this other dream will have to die

forever. It is most difficult to lie down. It has been a secret desire for

so long, but I will; I will lift a brave face, and cheerfully walk hand in

hand with my betrothed for all my days, and if perchance some other

aant’at ,(woman,) gets this blessing during my lifetime I will try to be

happy for her.

Perhaps it will be my own daughter!

Feeding the Little Folk

Listen, I won't even pretend to have a corner on the history of Jesus as a child. This is pure imagination.

The life of Jesus through His Mother's eyes,

Dear Diary,
  H'm. It's pretty quiet around here. I wonder what the boys are up to. I finished making the soup for dinner, checked to see if baby Lydia was still asleep then wandered outdoors. James was close by. He called to me and I duly admired what he was building in the sand pile with scraps of lumber from the carpenter's shop.
"Where's Yeshua, (Jesus), "I soon asked.
"He went to yonder woods to feed the little folk, " James solemnly replied as he stuck a row of sticks in the ground.What a perfect day to be out of doors. I walked eagerly down the path to 'yonder' woods. Since no one was around I

Really, Really Peaceful

Have you found that it is possible to be calm in your soul in spite of great difficulties? If not, turn to Jesus and cast your troubles on Him. He is far more capable of carrying them than we are anyway. Just snuggle in His arms and trust!

Unexpected Advice

Sometimes God gives us unexpected advice. Like this morning hubby said something that I did not appreciate. It was true enough, sure, but not what I wanted to hear. I was so irked that I knew it was important to flee to the 'closet of prayer' before I let something slip that shouldn't be said.

Then do you know what? God also gave me unexpected advice! He said "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise." Do you think I was in the mood to do that? No sir!  But I started by thanking Him for all the times He had helped us in the past, and so on.

So did that 'bugged' feeling vanish like a balloon in the sunset sky? Well, no, not quite, but it sure wasn't bad enough to make me snap at the one I love most on earth. And you know what? I even felt kind of happy.

So that's my sermon for today!

Scarier Than Halloween! (Concluded)

The cries seem to be coming from further away. 

She was going in the wrong direction! She made a quarter turn, carefully shuffling forward. Her hand touched something hard and she felt around it. It was the door frame. Were the children inside the house, or out? Well, the baby would be inside. She must find Lill-dae-nan at least.She dropped to her knees, crawling slowly along. Something also moving, rubbed against her arm. Re-bae-taih screamed. It felt soft and furry.

Nightmare World

We live in a nightmare world. I’m sure there are people right at this moment who are surfing the net while trying to block out terrible memories. Maybe they are hiding behind the shame of having been brutally beaten. Maybe they have been verbally abused so many times they half believe the lies that are told them. I know a little girl who is constantly being bullied. I try to help but what will be the long range results of such cruelty? I also know a woman who was physically abused as a child and it carried over into her first marriage. She managed to escape when he threatened to shoot her and the children, but the second marriage was just as bad in different ways. Are you caught in the same sort of trap and no one seems to care and understand?

What are you being called? Do you believe the lies? How have you been treated today, this last week or month? Are you the victim of an alcoholic or someone who is mentally ill? Are you too fearful or ashamed to admit it? Do you have anyone to go to that you feel safe with?

I’m not sitting in an ivory tower somewhere and tossing down bits of advice to you. I’ve been in the gutter also. I have felt the anger, the hatred and depression that comes from being molested. But I have also learned how to forgive and the healing that eventually comes with it. It wasn’t easy. I suffered emotionally for many years because of what happened, but now I am free. Now I want to reach out a helping hand to you and let you know there is a way of escape. There is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.

To start with I’d like you to repeat these words at least ten times a day.

I am precious in the eyes of the Lord. I do not deserve to be abused. God does not want me to be abused. I am a worthwhile person.

We can’t see the future so from one day to the next it might not seem like anything is changing, but if you trust God to lead you, someday you will be able to look back and see that things have gotten better. And remember I am praying for you.

marilynfriesen.blogspot.com

He Was A Man

At this solemn time when we are gently reminded once against of what the Saviour did for us, I would like to share a poem to observe the season.

Jesus

He was a Man

Youthful, loving, strong.

He did not seek the pain,

The crush of thorns

On His noble, godly brow.

He was a Man

With mangled, whip-lashed back

The one whose soul is pure

Endured our lack:

Our burdens, shame and guilt.

He was a Man

Whose bloodied, nail-ripped hands

Had healed, guided, taught,

And loved each one

Though wretched, heartsick, lost.

He was a Man

The cup He did not spurn,

Though mocked by maddened crowds

Broken, bleeding torn

Hung on a cursed cross.

He is our God

Weighed down by all our sins

He carried so much blame

To set us free

Forgiving through it all.

Oh Victory!

From a splendid throne he rules

With power to set men free

From Satan's bonds so cruel

The Resurrected King!

Marilyn Friesen

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=181889