Be with me, Abba, as I prepare a table in the presence of friends, of neighbors, of enemies, of strangers, of strangers.

Take this tender meal, Christ, and carry its sweet brightness to the edges of the storm.

Bless, O Lion, the work of my lighthouse hands.

Steady, O Lamb, the affections of my lighthouse heart.

Yea, would the whole of me shine, so that I might both gladly beckon and receive the ones you love.

For is that not Abba, what you also did for me?

Did you not shine and shine and call me by name?

Did you not shine and shine and welcome me home? home. In my former book Theophilus I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

Until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles he had

chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and he gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive.

He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

On one occasion, while he was eating with with them he gave them this command.

Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised,

which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water,

but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Then they gathered around him and asked him,

Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?

He said to them,

it's not for you to know the times or the dates the Father has set by his own authority

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all

Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And he said this, and he said this after he said this he was taken up

...