A Time to Pray

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Back in 1968 the must-see movie in my circle of friends, was, “Romeo and Juliet”. Everybody I knew, whether they loved or hated that “Sorta-Shakespearean” version, could instantly recall its theme-song, “A Time for Us”. Maybe we liked it because that title pretty summed up our feeling that whatever happening of significance in the world, was all about us. But as I am getting to be nearly ancient by my own standards, I am learning that what happens around our neighborhood, our region or our nation has little to do with my plans or opinions. What matters is best summed up in how Jesus taught us to pray:

"Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
In earth as it is in Heaven"
Matthew 6:10 KJV

So, I say all this, to urge that with tomorrow’s meeting between our president and Vladimir Putin looming on the horizon, that we each make this, not a time for us, but “A Time to Pray. Rather than discussing, our brilliant political points, or our opinions about Zelensky, Trump or Putin, let’s urgently pray for peace for the hundreds of thousands of young Russians and Ukrainians facing one another on the frontlines of this war.

When the Apostle Paul made this appeal for prayer to Timothy, there were few of the “Kings and all those in authority,” that were any good. From Nero in Rome on down through Herod Agrippa II in Judea, these were not a morally stellar bunch. But the reason we are commanded to pray is not because we like our leaders, but because we are supporting the only king whose kingdom matters: King Jesus!

Would Taste For the Sins of Us All

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
In the garden the serpent showed me the fruit
With a beauty and fragrance within
But I did not know that its razor-sharp seed
Lay hidden down under its skin

It glowed with desire and was sweet to the taste
With a promise of wisdom and powers
But its poison-tipped blade cut right to my heart
Leaving sin among withering flowers

Oh where is the healing, and where is the balm
For my heart and my soul and my mind?
A pathway to carry me all the way home
And the Father who I left behind

Then suddenly I saw I was there at the cross
And I wept at the wound in His side
And the nails and the crown and the noise of the crowd
And His blood that flowed down like the tide

 I saw in His hand was the husk of that fruit
Filled with vinegar and bitter gall
That was pressed to the lips of my Savior that He
Would taste for the sins of us all
Would taste for the sins of us all

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, 
he would not drink.” Matthew 27:34 KJV

"Would taste for the sins of us all"
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2025
All rights reserved

I’d Rather Have Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Matthew 13:45-46 NIV
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

In 1922 Rhea Miller penned these words in a poem that got the attention of the mother of George Beverly Shea. George’s amazing vouce earned him a measure of success singing both in churches and on the radio. When he was just 23 George seriously considered a contract he was being offered to use his talent singing for a secular broadcaster. Then one night George discovered these words left by his mom on his piano.

"I'd rather have Jesus 
Than silver or gold
I'd rather be His
Than have riches untold."

Intrigued by those opening lines, George began to put them to music and its message carried the day in his heart. Soon George began singing “I’d rather Have Jesus” everywhere. Later, Billy Graham, hearing of this young man’s commitment, invited him to sing regularly at his crusades.

Now our commitment to following Christ will rarely lead to such dramatic results here on earth, but it will always reap an unfadimg eternal reward. Would you truly trade away all life has to offer for Jesus? Is He the pearl of greatest price to you today?