When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.  “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.  I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”  Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:14-20

     Father, please, increase our faith so that we may be better servants unto you.  We are so inadequate, but you know how inside we long to have the faith that our Lord Jesus spoke of.  The faith to carry out your will.  We know that our brothers and sisters who scoff in public weep in private to have the faith you bless us with. Yet, our faith must become stronger, shine brighter, be a beacon in the night of people's lives to guide them home to you, Father.  As I write this Father, please, let this be an inspiration from you to those walking blindly through life to look toward you and have the courage to bow to you and ask you to fill them with Your holy spirit and love.  We pray this in our most loved, divine, and holy savior Jesus Christ's name to you our most loving Father.  Amen

     -------------------------------------------------------------

     Death approached.  All turned to one another, knelt, and began to pray.  No sooner had they prayed than an angel of the Lord Almighty appeared and swept away the agonizing fear of death saying in a soft reassuring voice, fear not, for ,through your faith, the Lord your God is with you, and what sword is mightier than His love.  The darkness turned to light, the sun shone brightly over them, until they realized it was not the sun but the radiance from the glory of the Lord that shone all about.  And they sank to their knees and gave praise and thanks to their Lord, and He was pleased for his children.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2

 Come and sit just a little while.  Make yourself comfortable.  For here you will feel the peace, love, and comfort that comes from knowing our most divine lord and savior Jesus Christ, son of God our Father that is, was, and forever shall be.  Forget your worldly troubles for what trouble cannot be conquered by He who created all things, all times, all places.  And...who could love you anymore than He who loves us regardless of what we have done in the past.  Take His hand and sit with him and put your burdens on his shoulders.  Rest.

There are times when the mundane, everyday things get you so busy that you don't seem to have time for the Lord's work.  That is exactly what has been going on with me the last few weeks. Our Father leads us into mysterious places with his mysterious ways.  Ways which seem to make no sense nor reason, but, in the end, will fulfill his will and it shall be good. But...our Father will always be there with and for us.


I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16