S.I.S.

S.I.S.----each of you. Listen up!

Struggles Increase Strength.....for those who suffer according to God's will. There is a point; His point.

Joni Erickson Tada, whose suffering season of disability will last a life time, shared once on a JoniandFriends Video of the time she had voiced these words from her soul---Tired, weary, collapsed, heavy, sad and defeated. Not voiced as a prayer. Yet, 30ish minutes later she felt a brightness in her chest as if God had answered what she hadn't even known was a prayer. She saw this as evidence (Isaiah 4:29) that God gives power to the faint and to those who have no might, He increases strength.

In The Way of The Wildflower,* Ruth Chou Simons stated, "It's grace that suffering isn't purposeless" (p. 110) and "It's grace when things don't happen according to my plan but happen for my good." 

(p. 111)

Psalm 72 says, "God will deliver the needy who cry out"!

"Find Strength in Struggle."

Cry out, S.I.S.----Loud and Clear!!

BEST BOOK REVIEW!

Is a book worthy of a great review? How does one remember?

Usually my faves are filled with jottings on almost every page.

This book has no jottings---just lots of post-its!

Why? 

Because the pictures are as exquisite as the words are 

"spot-on".....and it was a gift from a dear friend who knows both my     heart and my needs. 

As it says in the book, "The gospel binds our hearts together to a lifeline of grace!" (p.123)

A book worthy of a GREAT review both visually and with incredible

word choices anchored in Scripture.

PHILIPPIANS' FODDER!

How I love to "feed" on God's word!

Especially in the 13 Pauline epistles in the New Testament.

Four of my favorites are the mnemonic General Electric Power Company which have been my way to keep those books straight in my mind. Thanks to a bible Study teacher's suggestion years ago.

If anyone remembers her name, I would appreciate the reminder.

Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians.

Today hubby and I start a new book, Considering Sparrows,* by Kevin Burrell, a PCA pastor (Presbyterian Church of America) in Charlotte, NC. It's a book which blends creation's beauty with Scripture's depth from the book of Philippians. The subtitle of the book clarifies it well.

What Birds Teach Us About Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus.

Hubby, being an avid bird watcher, will keep me grounded as I'm one who would prefer flying away. (Psalm 55:8)

*A 2026 summer book study at First Evan, in Memphis, to be led by Anne B. and Mary E.. 

COMMON BOX TURTLE!

Common Box Turtle---

Is there any such thing as a"common" animal created by God?

This beauty showed up in our front yard this am. Hubby took a pic for us and by the  time we looked again, he was gone and we have yet to find him. Her? 

We had the idea that turtles were slow movers.

God's word tells us God created reptiles, described as "creeping things" on the 6th day of creation. The Eastern common box turtle, a creature that moves along the ground likes to eat earthworms, mealworms and sweet fruit (to be given occasionally as a treat) of strawberries, blueberries and melons.

Box turtles burrow under logs and leaves----sounds like our yard!

Terrestrial box turtles odd facts to us; have spatial memory to guide their navigation, have nerve endings in their shells and can hear without external ear flaps.

Seeing the beauty of the small turtle's shell was a great way to start our Saturday as we hum along, "For the beauty of the earth.....over and around us lies. Lord our God to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise! (from my limited memory)

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE!

My morning "cuppa" is not on an African savanna but in my comfiest chair as I'm experiencing the words of author Robin Jones Gunn as she writes of travel to Africa. 

Her book, TEA WITH ELEPHANTS, reinforces lessons God wants to teach the "suitcase sisters" in this foreign land of tea fields, beautiful, graceful and gentle giraffes, along with rambunctious elephants.

Kind words are like honey--sweet for the would and healthy for the body, (Proverbs 16:24, NLT, Gunn, p. 132)

The eye never forgets what the heart has seen. (African proverb, Gunn, p. 225)

Don't let emotional baggage burden you.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

Leave it at the foot of the cross.

AWASH IN AWARDS!

 3 years of positive growth in a new place---- town, state & school-----from not talking in pre-school to 2 years in kindergarten to helping his first grade teacher and making friends. 

Blessing upon blessing!

A BIG medal for a special award. The principal's award......

.......Presented with gratitude and respect in recognition of your meaningful efforts, positive attitude and the difference you've made throughout the school year. 

He also received his classroom's ANTONIO award for bravery.

 Jack called today the "best day ever" probably because he was able to leave school after the program!

 He saw that as award number 3----as any first-grader would!

WARBLING WEDNESDAY!

Singing along with my ear worm after I saw this car Monday at Deep Creek. Joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) This very morning with a little toe tapping as well!

This is my story, This is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

What joy!

Think......Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. 

JOY NOTES @ EVERY TURN!

MEMORIAL DAY GRATITUDE!

Veterans are special!

Daddy being chief among them!

I still recall the story prim and proper Mother told of taking a bus to Indianapolis to greet my wounded in the leg Daddy. He was returning from Lety in the Philippines where he was shot by a sniper in a tree as he led his platoon. Some, Daddy included, had walked through their own shoes.

Mother was in a taxi approaching hotel with rollers still in her hair when she saw Daddy crossing the street. 

Forget the rollers! She jumped out of the "cab" and ran to him. Though injured, he picked her up and swung her around.

The most wonderful memory in her life!

FROM NC TO TN & TX.....

Whether North Carolina or Texas, God's Church is celebrated on the Sabbath in a variety of ways!

All services started with hymns---two led by a choir with a director; the other led by 3 young students.

Announcements & prayer given by adults; One prayer was lead by a deacon, an elder and another prayer was led by a high school student.

One celebrated communion led by 2 students and their father---the other two had communion a few weeks ago.

Scripture was read by 2 pastors. Scripture was read together.

Two sermons preached by pastors. Sermon was preached by Church Youth Director/Young Life Leader.

Pentecost is remembered in 2 churches! (Acts 2:1-21)

Don't forget--- "Happy Birthday, Church"

Students were encouraged to be rooted in Christ and radiant for Jesus!(Colossians 2:6, Matthew 5:13-16)

Don't forget--- "no root = no fruit" so water your roots by His goodness and grace!

ARGG---Pics not posting right now--Will try again later

Got one---Hmmmm! Guess which one?!

CAKE FOR BREAKFAST

Yesterday's Wal-Mart return of a purchase ended up taking a side-trip back home via a restaurant where Hubby had eaten and didn't want me to miss out. 

We stopped at.....

Entering the restaurant signs every where pleased my spiritual, physical and emotional appetite.

The message on the back of a patron's T-shirt sitting on one of the stools had me smiling all the way to my soul.

Jesus is precious!

He is to me as well!

The Wednesday Special was Spaghetti, a fave for me & was delish and the small portion was equal to a BIG take-home for me! Plus, Hubby's fave country-fried steak with 2 choice sides (fried okra & mac-n-cheese) are always on the menu.

Behind the counter, the stools faced a statement of FAITH!

Faith Putting our faith in God and one another, so our guests are comfortable putting their faith in us Honesty Our word is as good as our food Service Caring for our guests with a smile and our community with compassion Quality Making every decision that is best for our guests and our team Dependability Standing for what we believe and serve everyday Serious Fun We take our work seriously but ourselves not too seriously

Beside the register was a sign that gave me permission for a future treat.  

Therefore, when we turned off at I-74 W Exit 102 Hubby stopped @ Publix to "claim" his "late" birthday treat thanks to Johnny. 

A "free" Chocolate Overload Bar Cake with Nuts--YUM! 

OOPS---No cake for me....Wednesday is NOT a chocolate day!

But----the sign at 209 Haywood Cafe reminded me that today was a "Chocolate Day" so I could Eat Cake for Breakfast regardless of the flavor! 

But grateful to have that flavor available for my Thursday breakfast!