Enjoy the morning

Galations 6:2 NIV reader's version

2 Carry each other's heavy loads. If you do, you will give the law of Christ its full meaning.

This morning is such a wonderful morning. It's always been the best time for me, but since my retirement days are my own, I'm enjoying them even more. I'm up at the crack of dawn. Thankfully I'm full of energy and look forward to what the day will bring. Cocoapuff is excited too and runs to the pantry where she knows I keep her food and sits patiently looking up at the door knob. I think she thinks if she stares at it long enough it will mysteriously open. Then I remember she can't speak English and it's her only means of giving me a clue to what she is thinking. Why is it humans can't learn to speak meow? Some say they can, but I don't really think so.

NPR plays softly in the background and I sit at the computer while the sun comes up. I think to myself, I really need to be walking around the block, but then I stop that thinking and continue to type, and read, type and read as God speaks to me. I'll walk later I tell myself.

My eyes fill with tears. They are not sad tears but tears of thanksgiving and gratitude as I listen to what God has to say to me today through His word. He is an awesome God. What does this day hold for me? I remember my paintings and the ones I pulled out last night. They had been stored away until I could look at them with fresh eyes. It's one of the ways I can tell if they are keepers or if I need to send them to the landfill gallery. I take another look. Yes, they are keepers my heart tells me. Now to name them and get them in frames.



8x11 oil on canvas
"Wear good shoes"



8x11 oil on canvas
"Enjoy the morning"



8x11 oil on canvas
"Brainstorm"

The titles came from my friend Scout who is always giving me words to live by. She has not seen the paintings, but I think they fit nicely. Thank you Scout for sharing my mornings with me, for offering encouragement when I am down, and for being my friend. I'm hanging the paintings across from my bed so I will look at them each morning and remember your words to me. You are much loved.

Power washing

2 Samuel 22: 1-7

David's Song of Praise
1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.

4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

5 "The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

6 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

7 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.

Yesterday men came to power wash my house. Living in the South, mold grows on everything that stands still for longer than a minute. My yellow house had turned green. They worked all day and the outside of the house smelled like the chemicals they were using. They assured me that my flowers would not be hurt.

Poor things, they are laying on the ground this morning. The ones away from the house live, but the ones in the back close to the house are burned to a crisp. Of course in the scheme of things, I’m glad to get my house yellow again, and maybe the flowers will grow back.

Because the workmen were here, I didn’t turn the T.V. or radio on yesterday so when I woke this morning to learn of the California earthquakes, I immediately thought of Joni. Joni, I hope you are okay today. Sending much love to you for even if you are okay, I know it was a scary day.

Trust

Psalm 71

1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Today is the birthday of Beatrix Potter whose written tales and illustrations I'm getting to enjoy all over again, and again, and again, and again. :) The stories are timeless and children of all ages enjoy them for sure. Oh the troubles that Peter Rabbit and his friends get into! Thankfully we have a stronger protector than Peter Rabbit had. :)



Again, from Psalms 71

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

Finish the work

John 4:34

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Reading the word of God often triggers my mind in other directions. The words remind me of others words He has said and speaks to me to help me live on this earth the best I possibly can. I admit I'm not the best at taking care of myself. I've always taken care of others and still do. The thing is, unless you take care of yourself, you can't take care of others or most importantly, you can't do the will of God and as the scripture above says, "finish his work".

Several weeks ago I found myself in a mess physically so I went to the doctor who promptly asked if I were taking care of myself like I knew I should. Embarrassed I told him I hadn't been taking my medication. When he asked why I had no answer. Needless to say, I came home with resolve to take those meds like I should and do all the other things I need to do to stay healthy.

This is the same thing that God asks of us. He has given us all we need and it is left up to us to use all He has given us to finish the work He has given us to do. If you don't know what work it is that He has given you to do, you can find out by talking to Him daily. Listen with new ears. Watch with new eyes. Feel with new senses. Take a deep breath and feel the power of God.

What color is righeousness

Romans 14:17-19

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

As I go about my daily life, it occurred to me that everything I do doesn't have to be so serious to be spiritual. By that I mean I don't have to walk around with a solemn face thinking that being totally serious will produces a righteous walk with God. No, this is not what God wants from any of us. All He wants is for us to walk with Him daily, listen to His voice, love and obey Him. He loves us and wants the best for us always. For this reason He has given us the Holy Spirit to live within us as our guide for living each step we take each day no matter what we are doing. If you are a Christian, whatever you do has a spiritual connotation because He lives within each of us. He will guide our actions no matter what we are doing.

This week has been a busy week for me doing some things that are just routine but still even in the routine I've felt the presence of God around me. I fully admit that I struggle with excesses in my life, not so much with drink but certainly with food. A routine trip to the grocery store puts way to much temptation in front of me to buy the things I know good and well don't belong in my cart. I buy and eat them anyway. If I resist temptation to buy that special cookie, in the back of my mind I say don't worry, you know how to make a cookie and have all the ingredients you need at home. That's my crutch. The devil knows it and laughs. I ask God to help me and He tells me He has already given me all the tools I need. I know, I know, I say and realize how weak I really am. Tonight I start Weight Watchers.



Mr. Casons Vegetable Garden
PBS Victory Garden South
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountian, Georgia
Oil, 12x12 on linen panel

The heavens will drop their dew

Zechariah 8:11

12 "The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

I love opening my bible to a book that I haven't paid too much attention to before and getting wrapped up in the story. Zechariah is one of those books. The old testament is full of stories that have much to teach us today. I forget who said it but I remember it being said that to solve problems today all we need do is look back into history because history repeats itself. I hang on the direct quotes from our Lord. His love is so evident.

This passage speaks to me about healing, hope, and restoration. This is God's desire for all of us and all we have to do is accept it. Why we have to make this difficult is beyond me. I do it all the time thinking I can fix things myself. Women are like that; we are fixers. We, or I should say I, should lay my concerns at the feet of Jesus as He has asked me to.

Today I hope the love of God shines down on you, your family and loved ones. It's raining here... the heavens are dropping their dew.

Things present, things to come

Romans 8: 38-39

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is another favorite verse and a good reminder that God is always with us, nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is nothing like being at home and having everything that you enjoy around you. It's a comfort that can't be explained until you experience being away and then coming back into a comfort zone of sorts. Often times I don't think we really appreciate our surroundings. We totally ignore the small, quiet things that happen in our daily lives always reaching for that something more exciting to keep us feeling alive.

Yesterday I watched some ants making their way across the front porch. I sat there looking at them and tried to imagine what it might be like to be an ant. I smiled when I realized that my mind was thinking no matter how small your place in this world might be, you do have a place and a job to do that is important. Each thing you do, each step you take builds on the next thing to reach a goal.

In SS we are doing a series of lessons on Revelations. It's a very difficult book to study. Breaking verses down to small pieces is a good thing to do then taking them step by step until a better understanding is reached. Soon looking at the big picture becomes crystal clear, the battle is won and our Lord of Lord, King of Kings wins.

Being at home feels good. Resting in God’s love feels even better.

Showers of Blessings

1 Timothy 7-14

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us

These are precious words of encouragement from Paul to Timothy who he calls his son. I can't read these words without thinking about the song by Daniel W. Whittle and James McGranahan
,I Know Whom I Have Believed and then another Showers of blessings.

Makes you want to shout, doesn't it. :)

Doing Good to All

Galatians 6

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Stand in the power of God

1 Corinthians 2

1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Be Strong

2 Timothy

1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Long time favorite verse

Ephesians 4:32

32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

God Bless America

Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.

3 Our God comes and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.

4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge.
Selah

7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
O Israel, and I will testify against you:
I am God, your God.

8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices
or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,

10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the creatures of the field are mine.

12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?

14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

16 But to the wicked, God says:
"What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?

17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.

20 You speak continually against your brother
and slander your own mother's son.

21 These things you have done and I kept silent;
you thought I was altogether like you.
But I will rebuke you
and accuse you to your face.

22 "Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Claude Monet
Hotel des Roches Noires, Trouville
1870, oil on canvas


I love this painting for many reasons but today of all days I'm thinking about how important it is that we love and honor all the people of all nations for I believe that we are all dependent on each other each having parts of the puzzle that makes this Earth such a wonderful planet.

One nation, under God

Psalm 44

1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.

5 Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.

6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;

7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.

8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah

9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;
you no longer go out with our armies.

10 You made us retreat before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered us.

11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep
and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for a pittance,
gaining nothing from their sale.

13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors,
the scorn and derision of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations;
the peoples shake their heads at us.

15 My disgrace is before me all day long,
and my face is covered with shame

16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

17 All this happened to us,
though we had not forgotten you
or been false to your covenant.

18 Our hearts had not turned back;
our feet had not strayed from your path.

19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals
and covered us over with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

21 would not God have discovered it,
since he knows the secrets of the heart?

22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our misery and oppression?

25 We are brought down to the dust;
our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love.

I worry about our nation founded under God. I worry that we are falling further and further away from God and I, like David, cry out in my heart. David didn't think his nation had done anything wrong and many in our nation don't think we have done anything wrong. I can't say that the Jews hadn't done anything wrong as I wasn't there, but I know today we are doing many things wrong and many other nations are critical of us on lots of levels. I know too that God doesn't walk about thinking what evil He can rain down on His people. God always wants the best for us and God never changes. I know that bad things happen on this earth and God is the only one that can help us when bad things happen. He doesn't cause them, He helps us through them.

If I had lived when David lived, I would have told him that God is still the same and that even when we feel He has turned His back on us, He is still there ready to talk with us. I would praise David for crying out to God for this is what He wants us to do. He wants us to come to Him with everything, good and bad


Today I pray for the leaders of our nation and those leaders to come.

Ordained praise

Psalm 8

A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Catching fish

John 21
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.

6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.