NEW YEAR'S DAY 2026

I AM ALIVE!

I'm vertical! I'm grateful!

I'm hungry to start the day with our culinary traditions---country ham and biscuits as we once had back in the day at Mom and Pop's on Lakeshore Dr. in Raleigh. Phone number EV 60634. Prior to that we always had black-eyed peas at Adams' 2211 South Virginia St. in Hoptown. To NOT have those peas would be a breach of tradition. We always had leafy greens as well and cornbread cooked in a black-iron skillet.Some people see it as "luck" others see it as a blessing that comes from sharing meals with family and others.

Today we will have Hoppin' John---a tradition started with my long recipe from Blackberry Farm. Nowadays, I'm grateful for the Margaret Holmes "Southern" canned variety which is delish! Think...easy for the aged.

The day will include Rose Parade, football and snackin' and a nap in the lounge chair or on the couch. 

Roses on the 137th Rose Parade floats getting plenty of rain and the Cal Poly float won the Sweepstakes Award again! Smiles through raindrops!

New Year's traditions can continue in our new "place of grace" today and every day to follow in 2026.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB--emphasis mine)

Regardless of the biblical version, even the Tyndale Bible of 1526, the focus of a Christians daily life is to glorify and honor God.

WISDOM WALKS

Paths of Wisdom.

As 2025 is in its last month, I've been reflecting on biblical wisdom.

WISDOM. My One Word for 2025!

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26) 

A great verse to say farewell to 2025 and to begin the new year with trust in the only One worthy of trust!

FLOURISHING FAITH!

How does one recognize "flourishing faith" these days? 

Flourishing like a palm tree....flourishing in the courts of our God. 

(Psalm 92:12-13)

Think thrive.

Delighting in the LORD. 

Yielding fruit. (Psalm 1:3) Even in old age. (Psalm 92:14)

Think Biblical optimism. Living your best life regardless of circumstances.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD (Jeremiah 17;17, NKJV) 

Trusting God at all times is a base camp for a flourishing faith!

Never be lulled into self-sufficiency.

Exercise daily "trust-steps" to the straight path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Make the LORD your trust. (Psalm 40:4)

Many will see the LORD in your flourishing and put their trust in the LORD.

MONDAY WITH MOLLY!

This is the way; walk ye in it.

He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life.

His name is Jesus.

The sole path to Father God.

PERPETUAL WORSHIP!

SUNRISE!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)

View from breakfast table

May we all become "ablaze for the glory of God." (My Utmost for His Highest, 12/27)

Blessed as Hosea said, "Let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn;...." 

Blessed be the name of the LORD from sunrise to sunset!

SOLACE FROM PSALMS!

Looking to the Lord for help can be as simple as a glance from my prayer chair out the window and up past the treetops to the mountains.

The help can come from the One who made those mountains.

What is God's help and why do i need it? 

Simply put, I need Him as I am praying for others.

Assistance. Reassurance.

I will raise my eyes to the mountains;

 From where will my help come? (Psalm 121:1, NASB)

I know He provides help.....needed spiritual refreshment. 

Think shade. In His Presence, He keeps, guards and protects. (Psalm 121:5)

Praying for others whom we love can be draining. But God can lift us as we look to Him. 

Solace is found. A cool breeze from the refreshing shade, only He can provide.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2025!

The banners at Bryson City First Baptist Church say it well!

May the Peace of the LORD find its way to our world and into the hearts of its people!

For me, sitting with  my first-grade grandson at the FUMC candle-light service last night, blessed my heart as he carefully held his candle.

The Santa socks gift he had picked out especially for me, from his school's shopping day, made me smile as well!

IMMANUEL----A HALLELUJAH WORD FOR ME!

CHRISTMAS EVE 2025!

HALLELUJAH---A quiet time of reflection for me. 

One thought that says it all. 

Fulfillment of Scripture. Isaiah 7:14

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel. (Matthew 1:23, ESV)

One Word in one verse stands out to me. IMMANUEL!

Immanuel...."God with us."

Christ in Christmas in one word says it all for me. Immanuel!

Now and Forever. HALLELUJAH!

WISDOM PSALMS!

Psalms of Wisdom or Wisdom Psalms---during my season of medical maladies, this book of the Bible is where I have camped out! The rockier the path of "life" became, the more I turned to wisdom found there! The perfect law of the LORD refreshes the soul and makes wise the simple. 

(Psalm 19:7, DAL, PPP)

Psalmists often looked to God for insight.(Psalms 1,73, 91,119) 

For me, Psalm 1, 3, 16, 25, 27, 34, 37, 90 & 121, are at the top of my "wisdom" list as I have reflected on God's word. 

Think..... Considered. Focused. Meditated. 

Psalms Personally Paraphrased. (PPP)

• Blessed...delight in the law of the Lord & meditate day and night. (1)
• You Lord are my shield, glory & lifter of my head. (3)
• You make known to me the path of life. (16)
• I lift my soul to God in whom I trust (25) I take refuge in you, for I wait for you.(25)
• Be strong, let heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (27)
• His praise will continue from my mouth (Psalm 34) Blessed take refuge in Him. (34)
• Delight yourself in the LORD, (37) Commit your way to the LORD;trust in Him and He will act. (37) Be still before the LORD ...wait patiently for Him. (37)
• Teach us to number our days to get a heart of wisdom (90)
• My help comes from the LORD who is my keeper.(121)

True wisdom is followed by alignment with one's actions based on truths found on each path/circumstance with Him, rocky or not. 

A path of life walked in humility. AMEN!

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT = LOVE!

Since December 30, 2025, at our church we have celebrated 3 different aspects of advent each week.

Hope, Peace, and Joy.

Today....LOVE! LOVE!! LOVE!!! LOVE !!!! is our focus!

Today, as we wait in remembrance of Christ's nativity,

 we light the purple candle of LOVE.......

to celebrate the coming of Jesus the Christ Child.....

.......our Savior! 

It also points ahead to His promised return. 

Christ's return in the Second Coming.

Reflection, prayer and expectant celebration!

GOD IS LOVE! (1 JOHN 4:8)