The Morning Offering

(I am forced to sent this out early, and incomplete, since I'm leaving for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, to spend the night ministering to the family, and the police officers, who are keeping vigil for the police officer who was ambushed, and who is fighting for his life. Please pray for all concerned.)

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Thursday, December 24 / 11 (Church Calendar)
 
Saints of the Day:

Saint Daniel the Stylite,

Photo of the Day:

The Holy Virgin of the Burning Bush

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

Thought for the Day:

    Many years ago, while still a college student, I was riding on a city bus in San Francisco, California. Above the seat on the opposite side of the bus, was a recruiting ad for the S.F. Police Department, which read, "San Francisco would be a hell of a place without police." That ad has stuck with me all these many years, and is especially with me now, for the Pacific Northwest law enforcement has come under unprecedented attack. As of this morning, eleven peace officers have been intentionally shot at, with five dead, and one clinging to life.
   My long time friend, Sheriff Paul Pastor, of the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, has two deputies in hospitals, as I write, with one not expected to survive. This, following the funeral of four offices. An evil force has attacked our region, like never seen before, and the very men and women who have pledged their lives to protect the rest of us, are now under unprecedented attack. Indeed, the words of the recruitment poster, quoted above, have a dark meaning to me, like I've never experienced. Indeed, without law enforcement, every neighborhood, every town and city, across our great nation, would be "a hell of a place" to live.
   Never before was the need as great as it is right now, to show our love and support for our police departments. Never before, has there been such a need as now, to pray for God's protection of our law enforcement personnel.
   I am writing these words as I prepare to spend from midnight, until six in the morning, with police, and the family of one of the fallen officers, who clings to his life. Please pray for me, and for all the police and fire chaplains across the country, as we minister to those who serve our towns, cities, and this nation.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Hebrews 7:1-6

The King of Righteousness

 ¹ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
⁴ Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. ⁵ And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; ⁶ but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

Luke 21:28-33

²⁸ Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

The Parable of the Fig Tree

²⁹ Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰ When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. ³¹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.