FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY!

My friends are little lamps to me; their radiance warms and cheers my ways.(Rainbows The Book of Hope, 1946 p.47)

Page edges may be a bit yellowed (paper oxidation) as friendships have multiplied & some have died but the sentiments have been there since the 4th grade at Morningside Elementary's Book Fair when I chose this book of poetry with spiritual leanings. (Thank you, Alice Munday)

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”  Proverbs 27:9

IMPORTANT EXERCISE

Exercise is important! 

Exercise can be difficult to incorporate into one's daily schedule.

Exercise with another can be an encouragement.

Exercising with another, aka fellowship, is essential for growth, from physical to spiritual! 

Fellowship, sharing time in God's word laced with prayer and physically coming alongside others in their struggles of life is an important earthly exercise with an eternal result. (Acts 2:42, 44)

ROSE PARADE

I love a parade. If we're going to be out of town, I record it. This year I forgot.

I didn't even want to leave our hotel room in Oklahoma yesterday just so I could see it. That would NOT happen...per my driver!

But.....when we arrived home, I found out the Tournament of Roses parade had not taken place on Sundays since 1893. WooHoo! 

Why? There was a fear of disturbing the horses--the preferred method of transportation used in attending churches back then! I love it, church trumps parades----even if the horses waiting outside is the stated reason.

The TOR Parade committee choose their own favorites some according to the year's theme, "Turn the Corner." I have mine as well, usually for personal reasons.

Cal Poly is always in my top 5---done by the students there.

This year Judge's award appealed to me because I thought how much children would love to see all those petals turned into jungle animals from the scary to the beautiful toucans and macaws. Hubby, too, would love all the birds.

I love the beauty of giraffes and they enhanced this Safari themed float.

My children and grands have all watched the Wizard of Oz. Plus, I had just spent 18 + hours on the road, these last two days and to me there was "no place like home," and my own bed!

BPOE. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A fraternal organization of service to our Hopkinsville, KY community. 

Daddy was an Elk, serving as treasure, secretary and Exalted Ruler. 

Enough said! 

Donate Life float theme, "Lifting Each Other Up" appealed to me because my precious niece, Allyson, donated her organs to help save others. The judges awarded it Sweepstakes Trophy!

My favorite float, with the cross high atop the church, was created by Lutheran Hour Ministries....of course it was! This year it had a special memory as it reminded me of sweet friend, Stephanie, whose husband Les, went to his heavenly home less than a month ago. He served for years as a Lutheran pastor.

That memory, the words, "A New Day With Jesus" accompanied by the music and lyrics of "I Can Only Imagine" sealed it for me! 

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

MY "BEST THEME DEPICTION AWARD TROPHY"-----

as one begins each day of 2023 "turning the corner" with Christ!

Highways and Byways in the SOUTH!

Oftentimes in the south, rather than seeing graffiti painted on overpasses and trestles, train cars and large trucks, one sees graffiti of grace that out shines the grime of the world. 

From church signs and billboards signs...Sulfur Springs-- 

Ever passed a cowboy church while cruising down the interstate? You will if you travel I-30 in TX. We also passed one between Greenville on US380 W heading toward McKinney. I've never seen a horse hitched up but I've seen lots of pick-up trucks. 

Recently a truck from IL driving thru Texas gave me a shout-out for family, prayer & praise!

Amen.Rucker's Candy!

HOME CHURCH GLEANINGS

Fellowship is such an integral part of the life of Christians.....mutual encouragement is given when together. (Romans 1:12) Even God's word encourages us, "not neglecting to meet together"....encouraging one another. (Hebrews 10:25)

With the COVID-19 virus directions to be vigilant and practice social distancing, how grateful  I am for the availability of fellowship via our devices,

This morning from our Sunday School class conference call, a YouTube sermon broadcast at my son's church and a livestream from my home church, our fellowship was practiced in brand new ways. 

Many of these presentations were "adjusting" and a few glitches occurred (some tickling our funny bones) but here are a few if the gleanings:

1. All included prayers verbalized over a variety of petitions.
2. God's word was always included---Psalm 91, Roman's 10:9-17, Revelation 21 & 22:1-5
3. Singing was worshipful from a church office as well as a Music Minister's home

My notes: Practices include; 

• FAITH OVER FEAR, 
• CALM OVER CHAOS, 
• PEACE OVER PANIC.

All gleanings enhanced our Serene Sabbath home church.

CHOOSE: TO HEED THE BILLBOARD

One of questions I am often asked is how does one know God's will for them. Granted it can be hard to figure out specifics such as which college attendance, house purchase or investments.

I have even heard, "I just wish the Lord would write it in the sky so I would know exactly what His will is for me?

Well.....when traveling keep your eyes open. Relevant messages might be on a church marquee or even a billboard.

How's that for a Bible based God message. 

Don't neglect meeting together. (Hebrews 10:25)

When it's scriptural, it's a good idea to choose to heed it!

CHOOSE: TO PASS THE "LOVE" TEST

Most all of us know the answers to the "love' test......but it takes enact of the will to live them.

Spiritual telepathy from Katherine Abraham----the perfect LOVE card to be a title for the "test."

Deuteronomy 13:3 says that "God gives us tests." 

The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

LOVE TEST--Pray and proceed.

1. Do you know Jesus? The answer can be found in John 3:16 & 1 John 5:1.
2. How is your walk? Does it reflect your love of the LORD?The answer can be found in Galatians 5:16 & & Ephesians 5:8.
3. Do you worship Him and Him only?The answer can be found in Deuteronomy 5:7, Psalm 16:2 & Psalm 27:4.
4. Do you have fellowship with other believers? The answer can be found in Psalm 55:14, Acts 4:42, 1 John 1:7 & Hebrews 10:25.
5. Is all your joy in Him? The answer can be found in Nehemiah 8:10 & Psalm 16:11 & John 15:11.
6. Is the LORD your refuge? The answer can be found in Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:8 & Psalm 91:2.
7. Is the LORD your hope? The answer can be found in  & Romans 15:13 .

Why 7 questions you ask. See what God's word says the number 7 represents.

I choose to pass the test and hope that's your choice as well.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: A MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE

11/11/12 These pics will probably speak for themselves of the beauty of His creation and the importance of worshipping together with those in "the household of faith."

Lake Junaluska, NC---Carolyn Ferrell will recognize---from ? (1963, CMF)

Memorial Chapel at UMC Conference and Retreat Center at Lake Junaluska

Pilgrim Inn at Billy Graham Training Center at "The Cove" in Ashville, NC

The Chatlos Memorial Chapel at The Cove---a mountain sanctuary nestled under a canopy of colorful autumn trees with antique pews from the Royal London Society for the Blind, and chandeliers of handcrafted wrought iron

Drawn to kneel in prayer as I "lifted mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

attenDANCE!

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design@brokenpromises.org

9/19/12 Successful businesses have attendance policies. Attendance is seen as an integral part of a good work ethic.  Sometimes an unstated, but real, expectation.

Class attendance. An important facet of education. ADA (Average Daily Attendance) results in rewards ($$) from the state because the Department of Education knows how importance attendance is for learning. After 42 years in education, I know that to be true.

Learning and growth occur when one is attending. Present. Focusing. In the realm of education, attendance is both a physical and a mental act. The same is true in the spiritual realm.

attenDANCE! Time alone with the Lord. Necessary for instructions in each “dance of life” which one faces.  Only the Lord God knows these steps. It’s the dance He has planned. He wants to lead you. Following requires attenDANCE.

attenDANCE!! How long has it been? Darkened the doors of a church lately? (Hebrews 10:25) How else can one spur others on to love and good deeds if we’re not in attendance. (Hebrews 10:24)

attenDANCE!!! How long has it been? To dance with Him, one must “show up.” This attenDANCE requires our participation, both individually and corporately.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: “Sunday-go-to-meetin’ day”

6/3/12 Today's perfect Sabbath through the imperfect lens of a point and shoot.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—(Hebrews 10:25)

Chris Tomlin Praise Music---perfect for a communion morning!

“Dance” always gets my attention

PRAISES!!! There’s gonna be dancin’ in heaven!