****..... GOD SEES ALL.....Our Vision is Limited *****

In recent history, a tunnel  was constructed, stretching from Great Britain UNDER the English Channel, in order to connect Britain with the rest of Europe. The total length of the tunnel is a little more than 20 miles.

IN order to accomplish that - of course they used machines of many types - including Massive machines that can bore a hole of more than 12 feet in diameter through soil and rock.

Of course they also used Gps (Global Positioning Satellite System) to accurately measure the route while digging THROUGH the soil - UNDER the water of the English Channel!  Altogether it is a marvel of engineering  It is called "The Chunnel".  (the Tunnel under The English Channel).  

More than 2,000 years Before the "Chunnel" --- We read in 2 Kings ** 20:20 *, and then 2 Chronicles 32:30 - that King Hezekiah had his men dig a tunnel from the spring at Upper Gihon---to the west side of the City of David.

Now To quote the Footnote  for 2 Kings  20:20  "Two crews dug the tunnel through solid rock.  One group started from the pool of Siloam, the other group started at the Spring of Gihon.  This tunnel was a remarkable feat of engineering, and can be seen in modern Israel today."  (Footnote/2 Kings 20:20/page 561/New Kings Bible).

It is obvious that during King Hezekiah's reign, they did not have massive machines to do the digging.  Also, they did not have a Global Positioning System!

BUT GOD gave to Hezekiah and his team ** 20:20 * vision!!! (See 2 Kings Footnote mentioned above).

So, no Global Positioning System --- But Hezekiah's men had GOD'S POSITIONING  SPIRIT!!!

No massive machines --- but GOD'S Power Through the men {"...Beyond what we would dare ask or dream..."} (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).

(Kings 20:20) "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah - all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city...".

(2 Chronicles 32:30) "This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David..."

You and I cannot "see" the future --- but GOD our Heavenly Father  "...wrote down all our days before the day of our birth..." (Psalm 139:12-16).  And as we "bow down before Him, and Ask and Allow HIM" - He will guide and enable us through the events (tunnels) of our lives --- all the way to "...the city (in heaven) which is illuminated by GOD.  The Lamb is its light."  (Revelation 21:23).

(James 1:5) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of GOD, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Because we cannot "see" the future, we can't "see" GOD--- We CAN and WILL TRUST HIS HEART.  He loves us  SO MUCH that He paid the highest  possible price for each and every one of us (the death of HIS SON JESUS on the cross); And HIS heart toward us DOES NOT CHANGE:

"I AM the LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE." (Malachi 3:6).

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."(Hebrews 13:8).

Jesus is "...the Yes and Amen to every promise of GOD." (2 Corin-

thians 1:20).

"I will guide you along the best pathways for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."  (Psalm 32:8).

Let US Praise HIM!  Thank HIM!   Bow before HIM!  Worship HIM!

"Worthy is the Lamb". (Revelation 5:12).

 

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO .....???

I) GOD HAS ALWAYS ***Taken Great Care of Me** My Personal Experience!!!!!!!!!

A. Both of my Birth Parents died during the year of my 6th birthday:  My Birth father (Taft Coker), and (Mother-Sara Hemphill Coker).  [Mother was taken by cancer; Father was taken by diabetes]........          BUT GOD---HE ALREADY was working out HIS plan for Me!!!

(Now picture this in your mind and heart)---My Uncle Joe worked on the train which passed up and down the track across the street from our front yard.  When the train passed by our house --- there would come "flying out from that train into my front yard" would be a brown paper bag of candy---for Me!!!

When my Birth parents died --- Uncle Joe, and his wife (Aunt Willard) adopted me---they became my Adoptive Parents!!!

SO...before Anyone on Earth knew that both of my birth parents would die when I was age 6--- HOLY GOD our Father was already building a relationship of love and giving between me and Uncle Joe (Who would be my "Daddy" who raised me from age 6 to age 38!!!).

B) After high school - the Vietnam War was becoming very Fierce and Hot!!! Rather than having to fight in a horrible war in the terrible jungles and mountains of Southeast Asia--- GOD'S Plan brought me into the U. S. Navy --- so that for 2 years I was stationed on an island off the coast of Washington State.  After that 2 years...I was transferred to be stationed for 2 years in Hawaii. (How Good GOD is!!!).

C) When I was discharged from the Navy, I expected to go to college...but I had no idea what I should choose for my Major courses...so GOD used my Minor courses to prepare me for the job that became my career---that I truly loved for 34 years!!!

D) When it became (GOD'S Time) for me to retire --- the only "plan" that I had...was a desire to be free to walk in the woods and pray each day...But GOD'S  plan was, and is...for me to study His Word (the Bible), and to bow before Him, and to share through this (HIS) blog, and through the U. S. Mail --- how HE guides and enables my life.  And His plan of sharing His Word is indeed the most fulfilling thing that I have done!!!

II  GOD is faithful to His Word and His Righteous Character"...if we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him]; HE remains True [faithful to His word and to His Righteous Character]".  (2 Timothy 2:13/Amplified Bible).                                                                            A) In (1 Kings 19:19-20), Elisha became a servant to the prophet ELIJAH.                                                                                                   In (2 Kings 2:1-10), When ELIJAH is about to go to heaven --- ELIJAH asks his servant Elisha -"Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"                                                                    Elisha said 'Please let a Double Portion of your Spirit be upon me.'      ELIJAH answered 'You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you See Me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you..."                  In (2 Kings 2:11-12)  "...ELIJAH went up by a whirlwind into heaven...and Elisha saw it...".

I (Barry) am not going to list here Every one of the the Miraculous things that HOLY SPIRIT did through ELIJAH and Elisha...But if you will read 1 Kings and 2 Kings for yourself (asking the Holy Spirit to "guide you into the truth...") then you will learn it for yourself!  (In John 16:13, JESUS Says "...HE (HOLY  SPIRIT) will guide you into all truth...").                                                                                                In (2 Kings 13:14-21)  We see that "...Elisha died, and they buried him..."Moab invaded the land in the spring...So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders, and put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet."

SO what are WE to learn from this?

1) Worship JESUS CHRIST!!!                                                                2) Read the Bible, asking the HOLY SPIRIT to "...guide me into the truth...".                                                                                                    3) In GOD'S timing, HE will teach us that "HE will carry out His plan and do far over and above all that we dare to ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams--- to Him be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations forever and ever.  Amen (so be it)". (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).         

"THE LORD IS GOD OUR GOD THE LORD IS ONE." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

 Psalm 63 + Psalm 23 +

A MEDITATION 

JESUS says in John 16:13 "He (the Holy Spirit) will guide you into all Truth."

"O GOD, You are my Strong God (God Almighty)/Genesis 17:1-2).      Early will I seek You.                                                                              My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where is no water.                                                                            So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your Glory.                                                                                                        Because Your lovingkindness is better than life; my lips shall praise You, thus  I will bless You while I live.  I will lift up my hands in Your Name.   (Your "Name is above every name.")/Philippians 2:9).

My soul shall be satisfied as with Your abundance - (Your love and Presence beyond what we would dream or would dare ask)/Ephesians   3:19-20); and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I lay awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night.

Because You have been my help, therefore I will rejoice (dance, leap, and sing for joy)/ Habakkuk 3:18.

My soul follows close behind You, Your right hand upholds me ("For I am your God - I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"./Isaiah 41:10).

But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.  They shall fall by the sword, they shall be food for the jackals.

But I shall rejoice in God. Everyone who binds himself by GOD'S authority, acknowledging His supremacy, and devoting himself to His glory, and serving HIM alone; every such one shall PRAISE HIM; but the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped."    

Oh Lord Jesus!!!  Because You ("The good Shepherd"/John 10:11) are my Shepherd - I will not lack anything that I truly need (Luke 12:22-32). 

You make me lie down in green pastures.  I rest in You; You, "the fountain of living waters"/Revelation 21:6) lead me by the waters of rest.  (Come to Me, I will ease and relieve and restore your soul/"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you,/Psalm 116:7).

You ("the Way"/John 14:6) lead me in paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake.  Lord Jesus "...You became for us wisdom and righteousness from God."/1 Corinthians 1:30. 

Yes, O Lord, though I walk THROUGH the VALLEY of the SHADOW of death - You ("the LIGHT"/John 8:12) won the victory on the HILL of Calvary for each and every one of us,,,You are "...with us always"/Matthew 28:20). Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  (You, the "God of all comfort.."/2 Corinthians 1:3) guide me and protect me.

You (the "Living Bread Who came down from Heaven"/John 6:51) prepare a table for me - at which I may partake of the Blessings provided by Your Death and Resurrection - by believing in You/ John 6:53-58.

"You anoint my head with oil - as Samuel anointed David the shepherd boy with oil-giving to him the wisdom, strength, and a heart for worship - equipping him to be the king of Israel /1 Samuel 16:13).  JESUS was a descendant of David; one of JESUS' names is "Son of David"/Luke 18:38.                                                                                   "But to the Son (Jesus), God says 'God, Your God, has anointed You"/ Hebrews 1:8-9.

"My cup runs over with Your Blessings - so the Table is wet - the table runs over - so the floor is wet - so my shoes are wet...OH! that I may always walk in Your anointing!!!

Surely Your goodness and mercy shall follow me ("Your mercies... are new every morning/Lamentations 3:22-23. and "they endure from everlasting to everlasting"/Psalm 103:17;  and I will dwell with You in Your house - in the new Jerusalem/Heaven forever"/Revelation 21:10).

"The city (New Jerusalem) has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of GOD illuminates it.  The Lamb is its light.  (Revelation 21:23).

"Even so, come, LORD JESUS!"  PLEASE read this aloud for 8 days.  You will be richly Blessed!!!                                                                   AMEN.                                                               

??? HOW MANY TIMES ??

 Something Most Important That We ALL Must Give And Receive!!!!!

The Passion of JESUS CHRIST was to die on the cross to pay the price for forgiveness for our sins, to teach His earlier disciples so that through them the Holy Spirit would write the New Testament, and to draw "all who will come" to accept HIM as Savior and Lord --- and to continue to draw others into His kingdom!!!

 HIS passion Has NOT changed, Will NOT change!!!                                  "JESUS CHRIST is the SAME yesterday, today, and Forever."              (Hebrews 13:8).

By GOD'S Goodness, HE will change us more and more into HIS image. (2 Corinthians 3:18).  He will Complete the "... good work HE has begun in you until the Day of JESUS CHRIST." (Philippians 1:6).

In Matthew 18: 21-35, Jesus is answering Peter's question: "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to SEVEN times??!!!??"

Please, before we read JESUS' answer to Peter's question --- let's take a look at the culture in which Jesus and His disciples grew up --- JESUS knew that--- beginning at a very young age ---all children were taught what we call the "Old Testament".

In (Genesis 4:23-24), a man named Lamech is speaking to his two wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!  For I have killed a man for wounding me,  Even a young man for hurting me.  If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, then Lamech Seventy-sevenfold."

Now, let us go back to Peter's question.  Peter asked Jesus:  "How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to SEVEN times??!!!??  "Jesus said to him, I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  

Later on in this passage (Matthew 18: 21-35/ Living Bible): "The kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up-to-date.  In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him 10,000 talents (the largest sun that could be imagined).  The man could not pay that, so the king ordered him sold for the debt, also, his wife and children and everything he had.

But the man fell down before the king, his face in the dust, and said, 'Oh sir, be patient with me and I will pay it all.'  Then the king was filled with pity for him and forgave his debt.

But when the man left the king, he went to a man who owed him 100 denarii (a very small amount), he grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.  The man begged him: 'give me a little time''.  But his creditor would not wait - and had the man put into prison.

And the king called before him the man He had forgiven and said 'you evil-hearted wretch!  Here I forgave you all that tremendous debt, because you asked me to---shouldn't you have mercy on others, just I had mercy on you?"

Please notice, Jesus does not give a legalistic nor mathematical formula.  HE means limitless forgiveness!!!

So, back to the numbers that Peter said ("up to SEVEN times?")  And Jesus answered: "Seventy-times seven,"                                                  The message that JESUS was teaching - was:  I want you to be at Least as Passionate about FORGIVENESS as Lamech was about vengeance!!!

*** Please, YOU read those 15 verses for yourself (Matthew 18:21-35)*****

So, let us (You and me) pray with our hearts, our speech, and our actions:                                                                                                      " Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Forgive us our debts (our sins) as we forgive (those who sin against us.) 

JESUS paid the price for ALL of the forgiveness we need--so let US be PASSIONATE about FORGIVENESS!!!!!!!!

For YOURS is the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever.

LORD, we bow before YOU and ask YOU to enable us to have, and to live out, a Passion for Forgiveness!!!

Amen. Let it be so in our hearts.

??"AH - VEE - HAH - TOHV" ???

 "AH - VEE - HAH - TOV"... 

What in the World is That?????

Well, it is NOT of the world; Rather, It is Heavenly!!!

I am Not a Scholar in Hebrew; but by GOD'S Grace HE has saved me through faith in JESUS, filled me with HIS HOLY SPIRIT,  And HE CONTINUES to teach me beautiful, powerful, inspiring Truth in HIS WORD!!!  Through HIS WORD HE also brings to me Strength, Peace, and Wisdom.

And, HE has Promised to Continue to teach me and transform me:      "...being confident of this very thing - that HE WHO has begun a Good Work in you will complete it until the Day of JESUS CHRIST."  (Philippians 1:6).

OK, back to "AH = VEE - HAH -TOHV".  My wife (Mary) and I have learned a PRAYER/PRAISE that we recite together each morning,  The original is in the Hebrew language --- but we have learned to say it Phonetically ("by the sound")...

You sound it Out Loud:

"AH-VEE-HAH-TOHV" = YOU are my GOOD FATHER!!!                  "AH -VEE -HAH-YAH KARR" = YOU are my DEAR FATHER!!!      "MAHK-MAH-DEE" = YOU are my BELOVED"!!!                            "MAHK-MAHD-NAHF-SHEE" = YOU are the Delight of my Soul!!                                                                                                         "MEE-SOHS-CHA-YAY" = YOU are the JOY of my heart!!!               "KAH-VASH-TAH-ET-LAH-BEE = YOU conquered my Heart!!!       "KEE-TOH-VEEM-DOH-DEE-CHA-MEE-YAH-EEM" = YOUR LOVE is INFINITELY Superior to Everything, Everywhere, FOREVER!!!

***Do not be concerned about the difficulty of pronouncing these correctly --- What matters most to HOLY GOD OUR FATHER is the ATTITUDE of our HEART!!!**

By experience Mary and I now Know that making these declarations each morning --- we start our day agreeing with WHO GOD IS, and who we are IN HIM!!!!!  At various times through the day we each repeat these declarations---it keeps our hearts centered on HIM!!!

"Forever, O LORD, YOUR WORD is settled in Heaven.  YOUR FAITHFULNESS endures to all generations." (Psalms 119:89-90).       

(From Study notes):                                                                                  "This text asserts the all-encompassing, absolutely authoritative WORD of GOD as unchangingly secured in heaven, noting...              (A) The timelessness of GOD'S rule by HIS WORD.  Though times and seasons change, though social customs, human opinions, and philosophical viewpoints vary, they have NO effect on the constancy or authority of GOD'S WORD."

(B) "Whatever our past rebellion, upon accepting JESUS as our SAVIOR and LORD, a practical reinstatement of GOD'S WORD as the governing principle for all of our life is to take place.  JESUS declares this in John 8:47---...that we are no longer dominated by the world's spirit of error."

"GOD'S WORD goes ...it shall not return to HIM empty.  But it shall accomplish what HE pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing for which HE sent it," (Isaiah 55:11).

"GOD is faithful to His Word and to His  righteous character, for HE cannot deny HIMSELF." (2 Timothy 2:13).

"The LORD is our strength and our song." (Psalm 118:14).

JESUS is the "...WORD of GOD" (Revelation 19:13).

"JESUS CHRIST is the SAME yesterday, today, and Forever." (Hebrews 13:8).

HE is "...our Hope." (Timothy 1:1). 

   

    

 

"PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD..."

"PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS..." (Psalm 116:15).

MEMORIES...AND HIS PLAN FOR EACH OF US...SURROUNDED BY, AND RESTING IN... GOD'S INTIMATELY-LOVING, BEYOND WHAT I COULD ASK FOR-PLAN!!!

My Birth Parents : Father- Taft Coker, and Mother Sara, both died in the year of my sixth birthday.

"Precious and Important in the sight of the LORD is the death of HIS saints..." (Psalm 116: 15).  This was SO IMPORTANT to GOD that HE had ALREADY planned my life BEYOND the tragic loss of my parents!!!  So I was adopted by my UNCLE JOE and AUNT WILLARD TAYLOR--- my Adoptive Parents!!!

During some of the later days of my Dear adoptive Mother, I TREASURED  the PRIVILEGE of spending 2 (Two) Fridays per month with Her. Mother then lived in an Assisted-Living Retirement Center, which was located about 35 miles from my home in Cleveland, Ga.

On those 2 Fridays each month, I would collect my Mother and drive her several miles south ("down the road") to her Hairdresser's Beauty Parlor.  I would leave her there, then I would drive about 1 (one) mile farther south, and park under the trees in the parking lot at New Hope Baptist Church.  As I sat there in my car, facing the highway, I spent the time reading the BIBLE, praying. and meditating on GOD and HIS WORD.

During those later years, Mother was gradually losing her ability to hear - so, as we rode up and down Mize road, I did not talk much, nor ask her any questions.  But Mother would talk to me, and sometimes she would tell me some things about my Birth Mother (Sara) that I did not already know.  (My Birth Mother and Adoptive Mother were Sisters).

During one of those trips driving down that road, my Dear Adoptive Mother told me that the house directly across the road from where I sat in my car and prayed...that was the First house in which my Birth Parents lived  after their wedding!!!

In all of those years (before the day that she told that to me)...I had been praying for that house and and for the families that lived there-----because 2 of my elementary school friends had lived in that house!

As I meditated on that...our LORD gave to me understanding that my  (Birth) Mother and Daddy probably prayed about their (future) children (my Sister Brenda and me) while they lived in that house!

Again, While I was parked at that same place---("down the road") to my left, about 1 (one) mile, is the church which I attended as a child and as an adult!

"Up the Road" (to my right from where I sat in my car, I could see the home of the Payne family.  Mr. and Mrs Payne had 2 (two) daughters, and because the members of that family were  my church friends---I had prayed for their Daughters from the time of their birth!  And Yes, because of GOD'S Faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13) I continued to pray for the Payne girls into their adulthood.  NO ONE could have ever predicted how GOD would answer those prayers!!!

Stay with me now--- I am going to jump ahead... to some years later...My wife Mary and I have 2 (two) daughters (Katy and Carrie).  When Katy got married, she and her husband lived in Monroe, Ga. Therefore, Katy's Son (Chandler) attended both Elementary school and High School in Monroe, Ga.

While Chandler was attending elementary school... each year, the school  had a "GrandParents' Day",  On that day, we GrandParents could visit the school, meet our grandchildrens'  teachers, and visit their classrooms.  

When Mary and I attended "GrandParents' Day in Chandler's Second grade---We became aware that Chandler's Second grade teacher---was one of the daughters of the Payne family!!!  So, Chandler's Second Gade Teacher was a person that I *** (Chandler's GrandFather) had prayed for since she was born!!!*****

"And we KNOW that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD to those who are called according to HIS purpose."  (Roman's 8:28).

Definition: "Purpose", Strong's #4286 - The word suggests a Deliberate plan... an Advance Plan.  Our Salvation was not only well planned, but demonstrates GOD'S FAITHFULNESS"!!!

READ THE BIBLE REGULARLY!!!  PRAY OFTEN!!! THANK GOD!!! TRUST GOD!!!

HE Knows HIS plan that HE has for YOU!!! (Jeremiah 29:11).

  "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME!!! YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER"!!!  (Hebrews 13: 8).

HE IS "OUR HOPE"!!!  (1 Timothy 1:1).

HOLY GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE**** C J...AND C J****

HOLY GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND WHAT HE CAN DO THROUGH HIS CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!  A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!!!

"YOUR eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in YOUR book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (In other words, GOD wrote down our every day before we were born!!!). 

"How precious also are YOUR thoughts to me, O GOD!!!"                                (Psalm 139: 16-17).

"Now to HIM WHO is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we dare ask or think, according to the power that works in and through us...". (Ephesians 3:20/Amplified Bible).

First: Some background on our family members --- to make the story more clear, and easy to follow:

My wife Mary and I (Barry) have 5 grandsons. And we have two (2) Great-Grandchildren---who are Twins:  the boy ("C J"), and the lovely little girl ("Clover").  Also included in this Personal Experience are my youngest sister - Carole Jo, and Carole's husband - Bud.

Carole Jo is a very "tender-hearted" person.  When Mary and I found out that we were going to have GREAT-Grandchildren...I immediately called Carole Jo.  Carole Jo agreed to start praying for the twins immediately.

Because  C J and Clover were born early, they had to spend their first two months in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Of course we all were eager to get them home so that we could hold them and love on them!!!

While C J and CLOVER were in the NICU our Daughter Katy, (Grandmother of C J and Clover), was able to take pictures of C J and Clover frequently...and she would send the pictures to the members of our family---so we could SEE the wonderful babies that we were all praying for---and all of us just fell in love with them!!!

By the time that the twins came home from the hospital; Carole Jo was staying at her home---taking care of her husband Bud while he was battling cancer... So she could not have the opportunity to hold and to "love on" the babies (that she had fallen in love with, and had prayed for thru the months.

A few months after C J and Clover came home from the hospital, they were strong enough to visit Mary and me here in our home in  Cleveland, Ga.  So I called Carole Jo to tell her that C J and Clover were going to be at our home on a certain day and time, and I invited her to join us!

Praise the LORD Carole Jo was able to get someone to stay with Bud for the afternoon, and she came and joined us in holding and "loving-on" C J and Clover!!!                                                      

At a certain time that afternoon, Carole Jo was holding C J---and you could see that Carole Jo's eyes were "brimming with tears" because of the JOY she was feeling at FINALLY getting  to hold C J and Clover!!!

When Carole Jo stood from her chair...she suddenly exclaimed..."C J is PATTING MY BACK!!!"

PRAYERFULLY, we came to understand that when we adults are comforting a crying baby---we hold them close to us...and pat them on their back --- So C J was comforting Carole Jo!!!!!!!!!

A few days later, I was sharing this story with my dear friend Jane, and Jane helped me understand... that GOD was comforting Carol Jo THROUGH C J !!!!!!!

As I thought and prayed about all this, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance the story in the Bible where GOD spoke to the Prophet Balaam...through a donkey!!!

We read in the Old Testament book of NUMBERS about Balaam - a Prophet of GOD. In this passage, Balaam was riding on his donkey while journeying to another country.  But Balaam was not planning to do what GOD had directed him to do.  When the trail led through a narrow place...three (3) times Balaam's donkey turned aside and would not go forward.  Balaam beat the donkey with his staff...            "...then GOD gave speech to the donkey...and HE spoke through the    donkey...then GOD helped Balaam see what was happening...The Angel of the LORD said to Balaam  "Go with the men...but you must say ONLY what I tell you..." (Numbers 22: 22-35).  [

[For the full story-Please DO read Numbers 22:22 thru Numbers 23:24.]

DO NOT stop reading yet--- HOLY GOD MOST HIGH  has a very      INTIMATELY TOUCHING finish to the story... A  few days later, Carole Jo told me that when (her husband) Bud wrote personal notes to HER that he addressed her as "C J"!!!  So HOLY GOD OUR FATHER (knowing that Carole Jo was taking care of Bud)---HE           comforted Carole Jo (C J) through baby C J !!!!!!!! 

"Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST,      the FATHER of Mercies, and the GOD (WHO is the Source ) of every comfort (consolation and encouragement)".                                            (2 Corinthians 1:3/Amplified Bible).