FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP FRIENDS!

True friends from afar....are never far!

Faithful friends.

They are God's servants who accompany Him to serve me when I am going through Deep Waters. (Isaiah 43:2)

Mightier than the waves of the sea 

is His love for you. (Psalm 93:4)

Friends in fellowship keep in touch with prayers and notes.....many days, not just Friday.

APOSTROPHE LINGO?

Why are many words in my vocabulary "clipped"?

I'm 'bout to leave. You goin' with me?

Maybe that's why this smooth rock beckoned me on the Deep Creek path.

Actually, it looks a bit like a worry stone. Worry stones are created by polishing gems. This gem is from the Lord who created it. It has been polished by the water that has rushed over it for no-tellin' how long.

Today, it has been used by me to focus on its beauty and smoothness by  the One who created it. I started my walk worrying about my lingo. 

It seems as God has given me permission to "take that off my worry list"---as hubby reminds me many times daily.

Be anxious for nothing! (nutin') (Philippians 4:6)

Allow who you are, even your locale pronunciations, to be acceptable to yourself......and take it off your worry list. 

Even rub the thumb-sized indention of your apostrophe-shaped rock to relieve stress if that helps.....and thank God.

GOSPELICIOUS---ANOTHER TASTE

Gospelicious 

Taste and See the Lord is good!

How does one heightened their taste buds for the gospel message?

Opening her/his Bible might be first step! One word. One verse. One chapter. Whet your appetite for truth. 

For example, entering a candy shop for the first time, one might be overwhelmed at all the choices and appreciate the opportunity to have a taste before deciding what to choose.

For me, I started today in Psalm 34:1. I was "all in" with the very first verse.

It's important to bless the LORD at all times. The whole number of nouns.  Circumstances. (New job or laid off)  Events. (Births to funerals) Healthy or sick. Weary or energized. 

At least each truth has merit for understanding the Christian life.

(v. 4) The LORD delivers from all my fear.

A meager beginning---think small taste---but I already see that God is good! (v.8) 

A delicious taste of truth! Gospelicious!

NEIGHBORLYNESS!

Neighborhoods are less about zip codes and more about being a part of  each others' lives! (Rev. Kenny Chapman)

For believers, think fellowship! Those walking with God leave their zip codes (of holy ground) often to go to serve others. With a quiet word. A gift of being there to encourage during physical needs or grief. 

Faith bearers serve others in the neighborhood and beyond.

Strength in one's inner being allows Christ to dwell in one's heart through faith and follow the call to serve others.

Serving others honors them. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10,ESV))

Out do one another in showing love says it well, neighbor!

MAGNIFY THE LORD!

"Oh magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3)

How does one magnify the LORD? 

It helps NOT to magnify one's problems. 

Think less grumpiness and more gratitude. Think trust!

We can pour out our complaints before Him as David did in Psalm 142:2 knowing that we can leave the outcomes, good and bad, at His feet for HIs glory and our good. 

Thank you LORD for dealing bountifully with us. (v.7) 

Turn to God's Word daily to magnify the Lord!

TRUST = MY ONE WORD 2026!

My One Word  has been a yearly focus for me since friend Angie G. gave Lisa D., Margie H., and me the book in 2017!

The same word---a daily focus as well as a yearly one! 

Verses may vary but the word won't!

A daily THRUST!

That's it...........

A Thrust of TRUST!

It (love).......always trusts,....(1 Corinthians 13:7)

❓？⁇ ᥅ ⸮︖ ❓

12/2/2026 

What is "THE" question for 2026?

I'm still in the "consideration" mode?

What "one" word will be a "lamp unto my feet and a LIGHT unto my path? (Psalm 119:105, emphasis mine) What "one" word will guide me to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God? (Matthew 4:4)

His word is truth! (John 17:7) Breathed out by God. (2 Timothy 3:16) 

The question remains.....What Is My One Word ❓？⁇ ᥅ ⸮︖ ❓

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 17:7, 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.