SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Yesterday was the 2nd anniversary of changing our address from Memphis, TN to Bryson City, NC! 

We were welcomed to N.C. by Hurricane Helene's flooding which prevented a return to speak at FEC's Heart To Heart group. 

But God.....had daughter Molly video my message.

Less than a month later, dear friend Ellen died in Memphis and hubby drove me so I was able to speak at her funeral.  Then sudden death of dear friend Dixie in Hot Springs, AR. was followed  by a major stroke when we returned to N.C. Our new residence was not exactly a "place of grace" for us. 

But God in His love and mercy.....has continued to strengthen me......

2 Timothy 4:17

....through His people at church and in the neighborhood! 

His strength through His people from many zip codes!

RECYCLED BLESSINGS1

Blessings in a mailbox, on the front porch, in a FedEx truck, in a text or email, on a doorknob or a voicemail or a hug on a back row pew are but a few ways my spiritual sisters support me! Even a recycled card from a hometown chum.

What a fellowship! What a joy divine!

There is no better way to find mutual Christian support than a shared devotion to the principles of God's word than by spiritual communion through the gifting of prayer and words of encouragement, verse by verse. So grateful for prayers for my brother! 

It's truly a Thankful Thursday!

Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Ephesians 4:3: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Philippians 2:1-2: "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Blessings from fellowship---connected by God's Son, Jesus Christ our LORD!

EQUATIONS

10/17/13 I don't "do" numbers well. Number equations would be over my head----BUT word equations, I "get." Especially word equations with spiritual connotations.

Carolyn Down's H2H lesson last night included equations that made sense to me.

• My weakness + His Presence = STRENGTH 
• My fear + His Presence = COURAGE 
• My Dismay + HIS Presence = HOPE

My conclusion was that God's Presence must be factored into all situations. The variables in my life can change but if I want the "correct/positive answer," I must always remember that God's Presence is the highest common factor. That's not even tricky for me to figure out.

GP(God's Presence) = S(strength)+ C(courage) + H(hope) and 

GP(God's Presence) + S(strength) + C(courage) + H(hope) = GR (God's Rest)

Wordwise I get all of that......but I don't know how to factor those two equations into a whole expression---I just know how to live it.