CHOSEN

Making this a new habit to fill myself listening to one each day before I readGod's Word & this is what I've CHOSEN for this week, linked in my previous post

I AM CHOSEN

"*"I Am Chosen" is a heartfelt worship song inspired by the deep truths of Scripture, celebrating Elohim's love and purpose for His people. This song reminds us that we are chosen by the Creator, called by name, and redeemed by His grace. With every lyrics, it speaks to the unshakable identity we have in Yeshua (Jesus) and the eternal hope found in Him. Remember, You are chosen! Elohim has called you into His family, and His Torah is a light to guide your steps. Return to His commandments, because Yeshua Himself said, 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.' His love is not just an invitation but a call to action. Take up your cross daily, as Yeshua said in Luke 9:23: 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.' YAH promises strength for the journey and blessings beyond measure for those who walk in His ways." *THT (see * at the end)

I'm allowing the lyrics to soak into my spirit as I read, listen, watch & pray
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continuing in 
"The Blue Book" 
this week with
CHOSEN
by God

[April 28-May 4]14. CHOSEN by God Psalm 135Monday: Matthew 20:1-16Tuesday: Matthew 22:1-14Wednesday: Ephesians 1:3-14Thursday: John 15:9-17Friday: 1 Peter 2:1-10Saturday: John 6:35-51Sunday: Romans 8:28-39

Long ago I shared on this blog about "Our Identity in Christ" - there's a remnant of that at the bottom of the blog, if you scroll all the way down. I'm not too sure that the various blog posts are still available since I drafted so many of my earlier blog posts. {I found the CHOSEN video that I shared way back in 2010 and repeated in other years, so I had to include & repost this}

Your Identity in Christ - Chosen 1 of 6 
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But more recent and was currently in the theaters, there is a well-known series called "The CHOSEN". I am not as familiar with this as some others, who watch as much as they can & enjoy immensely. From what I know, Season 5 is in Production (Season 6 is coming) but 5 is also what was in the theaters in 3 different movies (parts) of great lengths: 3 hours, 2 hours, and 2 hours. Good thing they broke it down because 7 hours would be quite the theatrical performance of endurance. Those of you, who watch and are familiar probably know much more than I do, so consider yourselves the experts on being "The CHOSEN". But as we seek more about CHOSEN by God this week, I was thinking about why was "The CHOSEN" selected as the title of this wonderful series. Surely, Jesus is the real One that is "The CHOSEN" by God to be our Savior, however the story of Jesus shared in The CHOSEN series is really about the people that Jesus chose to be His followers. 

If you have CHOSEN to follow JESUS & His Way, I dare say that you, too are part of "The CHOSEN" and without watching regularly, I am sure that each show's purpose is to present the well-known Biblical characters in a very real sense and show that they are CHOSEN and why they CHOSE to become part of Jesus' story or why Jesus CHOSE these people as part of His story. All I know for sure is that I definitely am so very thankful that I have the awesome privilege to be part of The CHOSEN family of Jesus Christ, because I CHOSE Jesus as the center focus of my beliefs and life! HE is part of my life story so that I am able to learn and grow closer every day to Jesus, deepening our relationship - I cannot count all that has blessed my life because of this special relationship that I treasure with the hope to be more Christ-like each & every day so I might continue as a Beloved CHOSEN follower of Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Lord, and my Redeemer. In Jesus, I am secure; I am accepted and I am free! I am valuable, I am forgiven and I am complete! 

"Jesus Calling" shared a recent podcast  #442, with Dallas Jenkins and the cast of "The Chosen". I would not have any idea what You Tube video I should chose to exemplify this series so I chose the first LIVE one that came up of a Q & A glimpse into season 6 (maybe you can share in the comments, some of your favorite episodes or seasons):

What an honor to be
CHOSEN!
This week's readings will awaken me
to the awesomeness
and
perhaps get me into tuning in more regularly
to the tv show series.
THEATER TRAILERSeason 5


I know I have inadequately covered being one of 
THE CHOSEN
yet since
JESUS
is my CHOSEN One
He has me covered more than adequately
and I'm looking forward to the 
Readings for Reflections
this week
with
a
new hunger & thirst 
for more of
GOD
in what Jim Branch compiles
with a
 "deep longing that wells up in me"
- to "have been seen by God from all eternity &seen as unique, special, precious beings" ...(p. 108)
there's such depth to being
CHOSEN
(listen to God's calling that He created you
to be among His CHOSEN, His people).
WOW
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*[the lyrics for the song and that first boxed part are found in the YT description]Timeless Hebrew Tunes

TIMELESS TUNES to Continue Celebrating

Did you know that the Church celebratesthe Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
(known to most as Easter, but I don't like the pagan connection, so I don't use that)
for 50 days?
In 2025, the season of celebration began on
April 20th
and ends on
June 8th
{both of those dates are birthdays of special friends}

"The Joy of the Resurrection is not meant to last for just one day."

Day 1 was last Sunday, RESURRECTION SONday!
Today starts the 2nd week so Day 8 of 50.
June 8th is Pentecost Sunday!
Some refer to these 50 days as: 
"The Great 50 Days"
Others as Eastertide (not me), or Paschaltideor instead of 'tide' - time
A festal season in the liturgical year - marking the high point of the Church's year and a "profound significance for our identityas Christians (mainly Catholics) but it'd be great if we allkept finding this season to celebrate with expectationthe Holy Spirit
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Because I am a linguistic nerd - lover of languages & origins of words(etymology)I can't resist sharing on "Paschal".The only time that I can recall hearing this word, it was connected to Lamb:the Paschal Lamb

"Paschal is the English adjectival form of the Greek word pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word pesah (or pesach), which means “passover.”The Pesach or Passover is the Jewish Feast celebrating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt (see Exodus, chapter 12), focusing on the Tenth Plague and its results."... St. Mary's Press (a pdf for much more)

[a very informative 6 pages of background]
{If you're not a nerd like me, than the boxed portion is enough - it's enough for me too}
As GREAT as it is to continue celebrating this season
{and right about now, most of us need something to encourage us,to celebrate and lift our Spirit, but that's Pentecost}
This time would be a wonderful seasonto deepen & renew our walkwith Christto

*[image credit: Rachel Wojo]

Which is the real reason that I decided to share this blog post
During Holy Week, from Palm Sunday until Good Friday,
I discovered a beautiful new "music" to help me
through the week and also to calm my spirit
to sleep better & more peacefully.
The You Tube videos are so beautiful - the images are gorgeous!
and the music, so fresh & simply enjoyable
in a relaxing kind of way
but I believe that there are some more lively.
I do not know Hebrew, however if I did, or could learn
more than "Yeshua"; these would be good to reinforce some.
I could not choose my favorite yet and I began a private playlist
although the Channel has some long-playing
Live streams available that are spectacular & inspiring
Live Radio also! (I think that's what makes the long-playing livestreams)
[this was the current one playing as I was preparing & listening as I type]

[image credit: Timeless Hebrew Tunes-Instagram]
I so wanted to get online during Holy Week
to share 
TIMELESS HEBREW TUNES
It was such a blessing for me & a Spirit connection that I need
I don't want to spoil what I read in a comment
because for me, though I was surprised,
I couldn't comprehend this new 'thing'
and it did not matter!
May Ruach HaKodesh
(Holy Spirit)
come
&
move freely
as you open yourself
to some
Soul Restoration
{You'll delight & notice God's WORD as you listen}
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I don't know if this will embed without issues or problems
but here are a few individual ones that I randomly selected
[Click on title linked, if they're gone, or don't show up]
{the worst part is the ad interruptions}
I chose this to go with PASCHAL LAMB
PASSOVER SONGThe Lamb Who Saves


CARRY ME, The Day You Found Me


"WELL DONE, Good & Faithful Servant"


I really couldn't stop - it might be my personal place where I'm at, but for me, as you can probably see by now, I'll be continuing to celebrate PASCHAL time with 
COME TO MEand RESTHEAL ME, YAH
Inspired by Matthew 11:28-30 & Jeremiah 17:14[found in the video notes]
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No pressure, BUT
I do hope you give these a try (at least one) & celebrate with me
maybe withCOMFORT, My People(Isaiah 40:1-2)
all of these GREAT 50 DAYS (minus 7 now).
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{and yes, of course, I also found devotionals for this 50 days time, but I've overdone myself with purchases of ebooks & books, so even if I found some pretty interesting ones, I must resist}
I need to just soak in this music & His Presence!while I read what I have
Peace [Shalom] ~ Peggy
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NOTE: I published early on purpose so you might listen as you rest this SONday6 am instead of 6 pm
TOMORROW
Monday
"The Blue Book"
readings continue with
CHOSENby God
[yes, there's even one for this: I AM CHOSEN]
No, I can't choose, each one I listen to becomes another delightful tune
& when I take time to watch (with the captions) I just want to learn more 
including Hebrew, if I could only get the sounds better
BRING ME BACKA Cry for Redemption & Peace
as I try to close
JESUS is so good & His Holy Spirit draws me more every time
I LISTEN & FOCUS & LEAN IN
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* Oh, and by the way, RESTORE MY SOUL by Rachel Wojo was the 1st study I got & did from her; right along with Wendy Blight's "Rest for Your Soul". Both were the best rest for my soul!

JESUS RESURRECTED - the WORD made FLESH - ALIVE

As we begin the week after the Celebration ofJesus Christ's Resurrection,we start anew in "The 📘" *with
The WORD Made FLESH[April 21-27] 

Psalm 85 Monday: John 1:1-14  Tuesday: Colossians 1:15-23 Wednesday: Colossians 2:9-15 Thursday: Philippians 2:1-13 Friday: Hebrews 1:1-13 Saturday: Matthew 1:18-25 Sunday: Isaiah 53:1-12

* an actual book - "The Blue Book" - Jim Branch{there's a Spotify playlist companion to his book}

Beginning with the gospel book of John, which contains the most well-known verse that contains "and the Word was made flesh" or "and the Word became flesh" ... certainly ties the glorious event of Jesus' Resurrection back to the beginning of Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas and even connects the beginning of God's Word in the book of Genesis. The entire Word of God connects from Genesis to Revelation yet this particular verse allows us to know that there is a beautiful golden thread all the way through all the books of God's Word and the purpose of these powerful events as well. 

I read various versions of the Bible for the reading on Monday and this particular verse but then I saw an image with these words for John 1:14-18 (copyright prevents me from sharing the purple image) but here are the words in a version that I didn't check:

"...the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love & faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father."

I believe it's New Century Version and as you see I linked to verses 14-18 and our daily  reading given only went to verse 14.

Verse 14 continues with some form of "and dwelt among us" - one says "made His dwelling among us". I personally believe that His dwelling is not just among us but should be within us and that since Jesus dwells in us, we definitely should act more and more Christ-like, and reflect the image of Jesus/God to others among us, but that does not give us the right to insist that they believe as we believe rather we should act in a way that draws them to want what we have. Most of us need work in this daily so that is why we call upon the Name of Jesus and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and change us. Once again, taking a chance and sharing this image because I really love the peace and serene beauty in it (hoping it's ok)

[image credit: Daily Verse]

Reminds me of the image I think of when 

John baptizes Jesus

(the verses of this follow in this chapter from John)

Here are my own photos taken on February 1st, 2025 right outside 

but I missed capturing the one when the light shone through like the Daily Verse one

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I came here to explore the meaning of John 1:14 although the words seem quite clear. {right now the 1st "Reading for Reflection" by Jim Branch} gives us this in a significant, powerful "heart" description but if you desire more, iBelieve shares a very thorough one, so I need not expound. 

As usual, once I get off-track, I end up down a different path of where I intended to go - but this week is just getting started with "the WORD made FLESH", however, I believe this initial scripture from John 1 is the key verse for me. I probably will continue to explore and focus here, because I'm intrigued by this beautiful verse and its meaning. 

[Although I intended this week to be a break, thinking that it would be difficult to find more verses that contain "the WORD made FLESH" and I did not want to search for "the WORD" again (since we already covered that back in 6) and I have a pretty good idea of what verses I'd find on FLESH ... that would not be the same, so the complete phrase is more important and its significance in how we ABIDE in Jesus and Jesus in us. Perhaps you've forgotten, or I never shared this here on my blog yet, but the One Word that I was given when I took the (in)courage quiz for my One Word for 2025 was ABIDE. It's no surprise that God brought this one back to mind.]

Still I'm not sure where the rest of the Scripture readings this week will lead, nor the Readings for Reflection, but I'm sure that by the end of this week, I will have a better grasp - even while we PAUSE (break) I will ponder this even more, since I am so thankful that "the WORD became FLESH and dwelt among us" and that John, considered to be Jesus Beloved, begins with this; and yet I truly believe that when Jesus dwells in us, it's because HE sees each of us as His Beloved, so He's waiting for that best image as we ALL were created in His Image to shine forth, especially in the darkness of this current time; and my photos, I keep watch to see Jesus' return to burst forth and save us, redeem us & resurrect us. I always believe that Jesus' heart desperately loves each one of us & is just waiting for the good of God to reach out to one another in His love & aMazing Grace! That is God in the flesh - the best of you and the best of me shining the true light that Jesus lived, and can still live through us as we love one another. It's one of the two greatest commands that He summed up all the rest in these two: (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28) Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength & Love one another as He has loved us!

LISTENING

[image credit]
"Speak Lord, Your servant is LISTENING!"1 Samuel 3:9-10
This image actually could have been one from me, here this week, out in my 7 and a half acres of pine trees,gazing up and allowing the Son (sun)to shine and filter through the other "noises" around -mostly in nature as I take pause & reflectas I truly tried to focus on
LISTENING
- but the image is not mine
nor does it seem to be so easy to pause & reflect
and truly 
LISTEN
to hear God speak
to listen to others
or to block out
all the noise(s)
stealing our attention
waking us at all hours
alerting us to take time
and
really LISTEN to God
for God
what is He speaking to us
individually and collectively
I am desperately trying to just hear
GOD
and so I've been really
LISTENING
searching for any
WORD
from God
Hoping to discern well
to hear His Whisper
above my fear
above the clamor
above my own thoughts
above what others are blasting so loudly
Oh Lord, how I wish to block out the evil and all that's happening
in our world, in our nation, in my personal sphere
in me
Yes, Lord
"I am Your servant
and I am
LISTENING"
SPEAK LORD
{this has been consuming me all week, perhaps too much}
So I write and wait for Your Holy Spirit
to enlighten me & help me to
HEAR as I LISTEN
and
READ
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Daily Scriptural Reading plan for April 7-13, this past week from
The 📘
{it's an actual Blue Book by Jim Branch}

11. LISTENING to God  Psalm 19  Monday: Isaiah 55:1-3 Tuesday: John 10:1-18  Wednesday: Genesis 28:10-22  Thursday: Genesis 32:22-32  Friday: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7  Saturday: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22  Sunday: Luke 10:38-42

I had hope to write my own poem
but this
LISTENING POEM
is so much more than I could write
because it encompasses so much more 
I believe this is what God might like us to do also
"Today I Will Listen"by Marva Shand McIntosh
IF ONLY
we would LISTEN this way

I do believe that God does!
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PALM SONday
{and what would be my brother's 76th birthday}
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So much passing through my mind
my heart
but
Lord, I am LISTENING 
please speak
and
help me
HEAR
"I am becoming more & more convinced thatLISTENING to Godis one of the most important practices in all of the spiritual life. ..."Jim Branch (April 2016)
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I am asking Lord
"for a LISTENING heart"
Thank You
always
for
LISTENING 
to my many thoughts
& 
ramblings!

PRAYER

For this past week of LENT

this was The 📘Reading Plan

APRIL [March 31-April 6]  10. PRAYER Psalm 84 Monday: Matthew 6:5-15 Tuesday: James 5:13-18 Wednesday: John 17:1-26 Thursday: Psalm 131 Friday: Colossians 1:3-14 Saturday: Philippians 1:3-11 Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

I found myself leaning in more closely
during my
PRAYER
time
as well as
seeming to personally need more
PRAYER
yet really hoping to listen to
Hear His Whisper.
Today
Sunday
[not counted in the 40 days of Lent]
I found myself at the computer for a medical purpose
but glanced at this exact graphic of a
PRAYER
that's special in so many people's lives
usually for those in recovery
however
we all are to some degree.
Most only know the beginning of this
PRAYER
but I hope as you read this all the way through
you will agree it's the rest of the 
PRAYER
that
matters
{at least, it does for me}

[the image is available as a print from American Luxury Gifts]

{Etsy has a beautiful print in blue - my favorite color}
I find great comfort and peace in "blue" and in the above image print 
but mostly in the 
Serenity
PRAYER
written by
Reinhold Niebuhr
an American theologian

"Therefore, the most that can be expected from any society is not love but justice – "
from this article of the background story
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Added to the serenity of this 
PRAYER
came the lyrics of a well-known beautiful old hymn
shared by
💚
my friend & sisterin Christ
[and its background here and here]
these are the words that brought healing & solace to me 
although I'm still singing the full song in my mind & heart
because it's so tender and precious when
we have that kind of an intimate relationship with
"... JESUS ..."

[1st] "... What a privilege to carry   Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit,   O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry   Everything to God in prayer! ...  [2nd] {beautiful & treasurable! but not shared here} [3rd] "Are we weak and heavy-laden,   Cumbered with a load of care? {yes(sigh)} "... Precious Savior, still our refuge—   Take it to the Lord in prayer... In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, {🙏}   Thou wilt find a solace there." [4th] "Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear; May we ever, Lord, be bringing All to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer— Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there."

I thank💚her for this precious reminder
and Joseph M. Scriven (1855) as well as
Reinhold Niebuhr(March 1933)
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As we near the close of Lent with
PALM SUNDAY
next week
{on my late oldest brother's birthday, who I will be thinking of & remembering fondly on April 13th}
then
HOLY WEEK
starts
ending with the
Glorious
RESURRECTION SONday
on April 20th!
The best & greatest celebration every year!
Looking forward to these last 2 weeks of
LENT
[Looking Eternally Now Thankfully]
Repented, Restored, Renewed & Resurrected
by Jesus Christ Alone
my King of kings, & Lord of lords
There is No Other Name
by which we are saved
JESUS CHRIST

HE IS WORTHY
of it all
Praise, Honor, Glory & Thanks
belong to Him alone
forever & always

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"... Living one day at a time ..."
until then
"enjoying one moment
at a time" ...
"TRUSTING"
from the
Serenity Prayer