Rest in Peace…Healed

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

This post is dedicated to Melvin Cerny—a dear friend who loved the Lord and was such a positive influence in so many peoples’ lives. I can hardly wait to see you dancing and running in heaven after spending twenty years rolling about in your metal chariot. Blessings on all your family and friends as they remember you and celebrate your kind and generous life.

We had a friend, Mel, who was a paraplegic—with no feeling below his waist due to an auto accident about twenty years ago. He got around—even drove his big van—with little if any help. If lowering him through the roof would have cured him of his paralysis—we certainly would have cut a big hole in our roof. But we know that Jesus isn’t sitting in our living room crowded by people so that Mel can’t get to Him. Prayer is powerful—but it didn’t bring Mel the use of his legs again…and he was OK with that. He had such a positive attitude…and that was by choice. He made the choice to be happy—to be pleasant and even encouraging to others. What a lesson to all of us who have the use of our legs—as well as our arms, hands, fingers and toes. Did the paralyzed man in this scripture below complain to his friends about his inability to walk? We don’t know…but we do know that his friends had FAITH. Faith in Jesus to heal their friend. Mel doesn’t need any help now. He is healed totally…as he has gone home to be with the Lord.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5

He’s Home! The people of Capernaum claimed that their town was Jesus’ home. He was back home. Jesus Himself didn’t claim Capernaum as His home. When talking with a teacher of religious law He said…"Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." Matthew 8:20. He had no home. Jesus apparently stayed at the home of Peter’s mother-in-law while He was in Capernaum and it was there that the roof was removed and a paralyzed man was lowered through the ceiling into the room where Jesus was preaching. That must have been amazing. Jesus was even impressed by the faith of the man’s friends. He pronounced forgiveness for the paralyzed man’s sin.

Do you have that kind of faith that Jesus would be able to see? How far would you go to help a friend—paralyzed physically or spiritually? Are you the one who needs a spiritual touch from our Lord? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? If not, consider one of His many promises—“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Maybe you are thinking you don’t want to go to the Father…but that is the key to Heaven and eternal life. Another promise that gives hope…“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17.

Prayer ~ Thank You Lord Jesus for giving us hope…for the love, encouragement, faith, healing touch, and spiritual insight You so richly and mercifully provide to us.

Rest in Peace for you are finally truly healed, dear Mel…until we see you again in Heaven.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15-17

Lilacs will soon be blooming!
Have some with cream cheese on veggies.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is time to plan and plant your garden. This year I plan to include some edible flowers like nasturtiums. I recall the first time I saw them in a salad, I thought they were just a garnish. Then someone reassured me that they were actually edible. Yum. The leaves and flowers have a sort of a peppery flavor similar to watercress. In researching their use I was very pleased to discover that the seeds can be made into capers. That will be a fun thing to try later in the summer.

For now…it is planning time…and time to get that soil ready. Where I live here in the Columbia Basin we can still expect a freaky spring frost, so it is best to wait a week or so before actually planting seeds outdoors. Below is a list of a few favorites with edible flowers that can be easily grown including some that we think of as herbs. Google and research for yourself a few edible flowers and pick up some seeds at your local nursery, hardware or big box home improvement store. Let me know what you think as they grow and you use them to add some flavor and color to your salads and other dishes.

Edible Flowers

Aylssum – add the flowers to salads, soups or omelets.

Basil – use the flowers as you would the leaves in salads, soups or pasta.

Borage – try freezing flowers in ice cubes. Consume in small quantities.

Lilac – mix flowers with cream cheese and serve on veggies, crackers or toast.
Mint - have you had mint jelly? Make it with flowers and leaves.

Nasturtium – use leaves and flowers in salads or to garnish casseroles. Pickle the seeds into capers.

Pansy – use flowers in salads, desserts or to garnish meat or vegetable dishes.

Peony – use flowers in salads or cook for a treat. Use in water or to garnish punch.

Plumeria – use flowers in salads or steep as a tea.

Primrose – garnish salads, cakes or other desserts.

Squash & Pumpkin – use flowers in salads, pastas, soups, or egg dishes. Can be fried and filled with cream cheese.

Rose – if petals smell good, they will taste good. Also use rose hips in jellies. Use only if organic—no chemical sprays.

Rosemary – use with pork and beef dishes. Flowers are also good in breads.

Enjoy a feast of lovely flowers created just for you by the King of Kings. Good eating. Someday it will be a joy to have edible flowers at the Banquet with the King of Kings in Heaven.

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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