Scripture and a Snapshot - Jesus Prayed for Us

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one -- I in them and you in me -- so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

~John 17:15-24~

Do you understand what happened here? In the last hours with his disciples before he went to the cross, Jesus prayed for them. But he didn't stop there. He prayed for all the believers. All those who would believe through the message the disciples shared. That's us. He prayed for us. 

Jesus prayed for ME. And if you're a believer, he prayed for you. In that upper room, with his disciples, he lifted us up before God and prayed that we would be in complete unity with God and with each other. So that the world would see and know God's love.

Jesus prayed for me. Jesus prayed for you. And the apostles said "Amen."

Amen.

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Share Four Somethings - October 2020

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

Time for the October edition of Share Four Somethings, where participants focus on Something Loved, Something Read, Something Treasured, and Something Ahead.

 

Something Loved

I tried out a new thing this past month - Crio Bru Brewed Cacao. It's chocolate that is roasted, ground, and brewed like coffee in either a coffeemaker or a French press. I got a sampler pack to try it out and we've had it a few times now. Our favorite so far is to brew it in the coffeemaker along with coffee, so it's like a mocha. Different and delicious!

Something Read

I've only completed two book so far this month, but I think I have four that I'm reading right now and will be finished soon, as well as at least two new review books that I will be reading shortly. Lots on my bookstand, even though not many completed and put away! You can see more about my reading in my Monthly Bookshelf Review for October 2020.

The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter: A Victorian Romance by Mimi Matthews

   

Something Treasured

Work, working vehicles, and working things out with the family. We've had to be creative quite a few times to get six people to the various places they need to be with only three vehicles! The kids bought a used minivan a few weeks ago, and the hope was to get that working so that we'd have one more vehicle to use. So far it's not working! And to make things even more interesting, our son's truck broke down this past weekend so we're temporarily down to two vehicles. We're so very grateful to friends who have offered to help with rides and even with loaning us a vehicle this week to help out. We're glad we all have jobs - it's a good problem to have, I guess, that we all need to get to our jobs! And so glad that everyone is flexible and easy-going!

Something Ahead

In our area there are baby steps being made back towards normal in the wake of the covid lockdowns. Oh, how I wish we would go faster and that the mask mandates would be lifted! Our church has been having two services on Sunday mornings - one outdoors so masks can be optional, and one indoors. Well, it's getting colder and that outdoor service won't be an option much longer, so there are changes coming. We'd love to be able to do more of our ministries, and resuming those is going in baby steps. We are having a modified Trunk or Treat event this week, which is very exciting since this is one of our really big annual outreach events. 

Pray for churches as many are still in uncharted territory as we try to accommodate the restrictions while still doing ministry.

Schools here just started reopening in hybrid models. A huge number of students have been struggling with virtual learning, and it's created many challenges. Pray for students and teachers as they go back, as they adjust, and that all the tensions would be eased. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the entire education system would actually put the needs of children first? 

This post will be linked at Share Four Somethings hosted by HeatherGerwing.com

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monthly Bookshelf Review - October 2020

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

We are in the final week of October and I'm left wondering how it went by so quickly. I think that's the way with most months in 2020! It was a full and busy month, and although I felt like I was doing a lot of reading, there were only two book completed and reviewed. I do have a couple that I should be finished soon though.

October's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham - Ava and Jeremiah are caught in the web of whiskey running and longtime feuds between outlaws and politicians in this story based on the circumstances of the Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912. (Read my full review HERE)

Ava looked over at Jeremiah, a sudden iciness creeping over her skin. He placed an arm in front of her and stepped through the door into a dimly lit room only to run headlong into the business end of a double-barreled shotgun.

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter: A Victorian Romance by Mimi Matthews - The Viscount St Clair is surprised to find himself genuinely captivated by a young lady's companion, and decides to reform himself and marry her. (Read my full review HERE)

"I also very much doubt that I'm the first female you've kissed in a conservatory."

"No. You're not the first," he admitted gravely. "But if you'll marry me, I promise that you'll be the last."

During October I started reading:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I'll be finishing up this classic Gothic novel this week. It's one we're studying in my Lit class at co-op.

So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein - more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - During spare moments I'm trying to do a quick re-read of this novel that is part of the required reading for another co-op class I teach!

I'm sitting on the gutter curb, thinking the world is stupid if this is what happens to the best person ever born. What's the point if you have to live behind cutwire and steel doors and be afraid of gangs and then get sick and die because normals are too numb to remember the cure?

 

The Calm I Seek by Christina Lourens - Rebecca is content to live a quiet life after her husband's death, but between planning her younger sister's wedding and agreeing to take a dance class, she might be falling in love.

I was quite content with the way things were. My life was predictable and I hadn't been hurt in the last three years. That counted for a lot in my book.

During October I continued reading:

A Stroke of Malice by Anna Lee Huber - At a Twelfth Night house party, a body is discovered, and Kiera and Sebastian are asked to investigate, and it's no surprise that they find themselves in danger as they uncover secrets. 

I frowned at this discovery - or lack thereof. Not that I'd wished for the valet to be found dead. But his continued absence only seemed to point the finger further in his direction. It answered many of the questions, including one that had just come to mind.

Coming Up in November!

Silas Marner by George Eliot 

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma

To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

    

    

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

What I'm Reading - October 12, 2020

Connect Five Friday - Canadian Authors

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Five Minute Friday posts

From the High School Lesson Book - Study Skills for Success

Twenty-Six Lists - I've Been Everywhere (Not Really)

A Kentuck Knob PhotoJournal

Coffee Break Reading List - October 6, 2020

Twenty-Six Lists - Happy Fall Y'all Activities

September Photo Album

A Taste of Europe - Czechia

This post will be linked at the October 2020 Wrap-Up Roundup and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction; (and at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.)

 

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - A Quiet Place

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 

"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

~Mark 6:30-31~

What were the disciples reporting to Jesus? He had sent them out to teach and preach in the surrounding areas, and they had all just returned to tell him about their experiences. In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus gave them authority over evil spirits and commissioned them to go out in pairs and preach in the towns. They preached repentance, drove out many demons, and anointed many people for healing. Exhilarating experiences, but exhausting as well, I would think.

It sounds like the whole time they were giving their updates over dinner, they were being interrupted by the noise and traffic of crowds around them. Probably people coming and wanting to talk to Jesus or ask for healing as well. Maybe there were people wanting to listen in on the reports. Perhaps the disciples were eagerly giving their reports and getting fired up to go out and do more, or perhaps they really felt drained even as they rejoiced in what God had done through them. Either way, Jesus knew that what they needed was a time to eat their meal in peace, and to rest and recharge. 

In his goodness, Jesus invited his disciples to take a break from the busy-ness and chaos, to sit down to a leisurely meal with uninterrupted conversation, and to enjoy some peace and quiet and a time of rest. Not just alone time, but alone time with Jesus. And we all need this, don't we? We all need to recognize when we need a break. When it's time to put our feet up and lay our head back and rest awhile. When it's our turn to receive and be fed. 

Listen to the compassionate voice of Jesus when he gently says, "Come to a quiet place and let's talk while you rest." He knows what you need now, and how you'll need to be prepared for the coming days.

Do you know what happened next in this story? Jesus and the disciples had gone by themselves in a boat so they could have some quiet, but the crowds were waiting for them when they came ashore. And having met the needs of his disciples, Jesus went ahead to meet the needs of the crowds. He spent the rest of the day teaching them, and then invited the disciples to give the crowds something to eat. With the bread that they had. They didn't realize it, but they were prepared. 

Because they had been with Jesus.

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles; and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Wordless Wednesday - Ohiopyle State Park

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

This post will be linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane, and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea Scribbles.

Pictorial Tuesday

 

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©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.