Saying “No” Like Jesus Did

In the desert wilderness Jesus was tempted by the devil. Repeatedly Jesus said No, that he stood with God and God’s divine plan–even in the face of extreme hunger, threats to his physical safety, and promises that he could have all power, riches, and glory if he would turn away from God and ally himself with the devil. No, no, no!! Jesus always chose God and God’s Word over any worldly powers, material possessions, or alluring distractions. I pray for the courage and strength to follow Jesus!! Peace and blessings to everybody!! ❤️ 💜

Sing a Song of Justice and Love!

SONG OF SONGS for a JUSTICE LOVE

I am a rose of justice, a lily of love…

Like a brave fighter among all the trees of the forest
    is my beloved among the young comrades.
Listen! It’s my beloved justice guy!
Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains,
    bounding over the hills.

 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands, behind the wall designed to keep us back.

But now he goes forward, not one step back.

My beloved speaks and says to me,
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.”

 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

 Flowers appear in the earth; and
    the season of growing has come,
The cooing of peace doves is heard everywhere
While the fig tree forms its early fruit;
    the blossoming vines spread power and might.

“Rise up, my darling; my justice one, come with me.”

Justice guy like a peace dove in the cliffs of rocks,
    in quiet hiding places on the mountains.
Let me see your face of justice, my love!

Let me hear your voice, strong for freedom;
for your voice is sweet, and your face is alive

with hope and courage and inspiration!

Let’s stop the foxes, the sly, greedy ones
who ruin the vineyards, the kingdom—and everything. 

My beloved is mine and I am his;

He is growing justice among the lilies, working to end the reign of the foxes,

All through the night and into the day.
Turn, my beloved, like a gazelle or young stag

on the rugged hills of struggle for us and the people,

poor like we are in some things sometimes,

and for all the people for liberation, for love and power to live and change.