COMPLICATED PILGRIM!

Life is  complicated..........to say the least! But God, is there for those who turn to Him in faith! Life on earth is temporary for His children who have the hope of eternity with Him. According to John Bunyan, life in the ""Celestial City" is sought by many pilgrims who have 

Hope in Him enhances our fellowship. What about our relationship toward those who choose not to know God? Follow God's leading comes to mind. Bunyan, in Pilgrim's Progress says, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

He (God) is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35). 

Open the door of your heart and invite them to sup with you in kindness. That might be a bit tricky but it's not complicated! 

Begin your day with a humble heart. Supersize your order with kindness verses.*

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

 

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…”  (Titus 3:4). 

Truth from God's Word is not complicated for His pilgrims!

*Several "pilgrims" in Memphis, TN joined together at Complicated Pilgrim restaurant 21 South Cooper to share fellowship along with a variety of delicious culinary options........including the best french fries any had ever had!

It's not complicated....food and fellowship go well together!

WORDS TO LIVE BY...........

WORDS TO LIVE BY---from your wedding day, June 15, 2024.........

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

12) Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. 14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful, 16) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

17) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the 

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

.......until the day you die!

GOD IS NEAR!

Sometimes one can feel discouraged, even on Valentine's Day.....especially if your schedule includes lab work, more injections and a less than "perfect" medical prognosis. One can begin to wonder, "Is God Near?"

0f course He is. My faith tells me so. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; (Isaiah 41:10a)

He Has appointed our times and and the boundaries of our habitation, that we might seek Him..... and find Him, though He is not far from from each one of us. (Acts:17: 26-27) I remember once at the beach I commented, I wish God would just show me the way----like write it in the sky. He did. Within minutes a small plane pulling a banner came by with a Jesus Cares type quote on it. Does that happen often. That specifically.....no. But it can happen.

Today at the BCC, I came without a mask, no pre check-in completed on-line and I'm sure a look of dread on my face. Then,Torrie @the desk greeted me with a big smile, a Valentine's greeting, a comment about my cane with bling and a mask. The lab work didn't even sting. My next door neighbor's friend was PA on duty who consulted with me over my "labs."

Back to the waiting room I opened up Whirly Word game on my phone to while the time away as I waited for the next phase of treatment.

New game appeared.

Do you see it? THE scrambled 6 letter word in the circle?

Called back for my "turn," I ran into neighbor Angela's mom in the infusion room. 

Two least painful injections I've had of 22 so far!

God has a way of showing me "hope" in the midst of pain. Maybe pain for injections today was the same but it felt different to me. 

Usually when they inject I reflect the pain wanting to reject the needle quickly....whether on the inside of my elbow for blood, or subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

When nurse came to inject, i was ready. God was near. 

Green light on the game gives one the "go" to complete the task.Can you see I typed the 6 letter word needed?

To you that might be pie in the sky thinking, or  just weird. 

To me, it's none of that. It's God assuring me, He is always near.

*Years ago, friend Lynn Mc deemed co-incidence as a Christ Ordained incidence.

SHARING IS CARING!

Sharing is caring when your motive is right.

It's a kindness action! (Ephesians 4:32)

Mommy Molly was grateful her son was learning these 3 words.

But.....when her 5 year-old quotes it to manipulate Mommy to give him "her" piece of chocolate candy, it's time to go back to the motivation drawing board!

Motivation of the heart is key in helping youngsters understand true sharing puts others first!

FORGIVING FRIDAY!

Mr. Snarky on the back row did not even know he had offended me.

"TIT FOR TAT" is the idiom that came to mind. I wanted to repay in kind.

I had to appropriate restraint--not in words spoken but in nasty, impure thoughts.

I needed to practice kindness.

Timely Scotty wrote, which I did not read until I returned home from the gym, "Jesus doesn't repay in kind but in kindness."

CONVICTION!

Forgiveness needed. I asked the Lord to forgive my own snarky thoughts. 

I'm not sure what the next step will be but I hope it's wrapped in kindness!

KINDNESS IN ANY LANGUAGE......

Hubby just called  from the road to tell me today is national "kindness day", more specifically Random Acts of Kindness Day. For me, I seek to b more intentional in kindness. But.....random mentions can bring me back to focus.

Going back to pic log from this week-end as "kindness" were at every turn. Boomers think back to  Kodak moments.

No matter the language of the culture may all take seriously the words of Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another" -----regardless of their ethnicity.

There is no special language for acts of kindness from a pure heart. Maybe it's in braille

 or signed or..

...just pronounced uniquely. Even the English language can have the clip of the British or the drawl of the South in USA. Kindness is a language of action for the benefit of others, not self.

CHURCH ATTIRE

Church attire has absolutely nothing to do with the clothes you wear when you attend Sunday services. It has everything to do with the spiritual clothes believers don.

The church is the "body of Christ" and as such the spiritual wardrobe is to be worn daily. (Colossians 3:12-17)

A recent sermon by son, Buddy brought this wardrobe to mind. Click link below to listen.

Wanted Worshippers:Church Clothes January 13, 2019 

So.....don't use this blog entry as an excuse to go shopping. Rather go to your closet for the clothes of your choice----just wear them with the right attitude, especially when you join others in worship.

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Showing up in the lives of children is everything. 
Kindness is the only strength there is.
Those two truths were quotes from Bob Goff's, Everybody Always.

Goff also states......

• If there is a fundamental challenge in theses stories, it is to change these lurking suspicions that some lives matter less than other lives.
• “Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” 

Forgiveness is needed if one exercises "sanctimonious" service to others....as if we are the only one with something to give! One must allow others to share & give to you---it's two-way!
It helps them retain their dignity. (Gregory J. Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion)

Treat everyone you meet with dignity. (1Peter 2:17. MSG)

WOW WEDNESDAY

WOW---Words of Wisdom---Written on Wednesday.
Words that speak to me from the marginalia of my Bible.

• Desire a life measured more by kindness than competency. (source unknown)
• A sick bed can often teach more that a sermon. (T. Watson) 
• Jesus needs to photo bomb "selfies." (C. Huffman)
• What one pays for and prays for reveals much about their character. (4/7/18) 
• (_____'s) life demonstrates that forgiveness frees us from the burden of living in a prison of our own making. (Carol Kent)
• Sin is a righteousness problem---unrighteousness or self-righteousness. ( C. Huffman)
• God did not come to get man into heaven but to get God back into man! (? via Rad Andrews)

Words that continue to WOW me this Wednesday. Why not start a list of your own!

CHOOSE: FIVE FOR THE 5TH FRIDAY

Choose: Acts of Kindness could have been this entry because kindness is key in relationships.
According to a google search, I've already written 5 entries on kindness and according to the marginalia in my NKJV Bible, a needed reminder....
"Desire a life measured more by kindness than by competency."

So...you can "choose" to search through the links below for your favorite of the five:

Kindness Reciprocated pays it forward.
Mature in Kindness.
Kindle Kindness.
Kindness "gentles" responses of others, even family.
Be Kind.

https://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2009/02/kindness.html (2/24/09)

http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2009/08/watermelon-kindness-analogy.html (8/18/09)

https://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-kindled.html (11/7/11)

http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2014/11/loyal-tea-adams-family-cuppa.html (11/7/14)

http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2017/01/choose-kindness.html?m=0 (1/24/17)

Desire a life measured by kindness more than by competency. (Marginalia, NKJV)
Choose: To Be Kind in at least one of the 5 ways. It will bless your heart!

CHOOSE KINDNESS

Each Saturday as I pray for "grands," mine and others, I pray for them to choose to practice kindness in their lives. (Ephesians 4:32) As I finished my "prayer chair" time, I received a text with this picture from "my" NY family. Lucy made a sign that said, "We can be kind." As she matures, may this be written on the tablet of her heart as well. (Proverbs 3:3)

What an affirmation. May we all choose to be kind to others.

CHOOSE JOY in READING

Choose joy in reading by selecting books that touch the heart.

There's no such thing as a good book written just for children!

If a book is well written it can appeal to all ages.

That's my philosophy and I'm sticking by it.

I often choose to read books that touch the heart----not sappy books, but endearing ones. Some, such as All the Light We Cannot See, with 544 pages are on Best Sellers Shelf. Others are found in the "kiddie lit" section. That's where this week I found, Tucky Jo and Little Heart, unpaged. (Unpaged is library-speak for picture books. No page numbers.) Both are set during World War II---one in France against the Nazi's and the other in the Philippines with the Japanese occupation. Both touched my heart.

Maybe the Philippines setting book reminded me of the rare times when Daddy, a Kentuckian, would answer my questions about the months he was on the isle of Leyte in WWII, where he was wounded by a Japanese sniper/soldier. A wound that saved his life. He was "hospitalized" there, think MASH, and thus removed from the war. The next day his entire unit, of which he was the Sergeant in charge, was killed when they resumed their reconnaissance with a "sub" platoon leader. He wore that guilt for the rest of his life, I think.

Today's choice not only touched my heart, it blessed my heart with memories of Daddy and gratitude for all the US vets who served In the Pacific in WWII.

Passing Time While Waiting

Can't waiting be more than just "whiling away the hours?"

Spending time at West Clinic today as I waited for a friend's radiation treatment to "finish up," I picked up a book, to "finish up" my morning read.  Roger Rosenblatt's, making toast, "a painfully beautiful memoir....how people die out of order." (E.L. Doctorow)

It became more than "passing time" as I came across a few jewels. 

When the author's grandaughter responded to her "Boppo's" comment that children have no power... 

"That's not true, Boppo," she said. "We have the power of thought and kindness." (p. 159)

Rosenblatt's summation of a book review he had written (Deaf Sentence) concerning Desmond  Bates visit to Auschwitz, " '...I see how one was unable to value the passing time.' "

"As far as I can tell, this is how to live---to value the passing time." (p. 157)

 A needed reminder ---when in a season of waiting, value the passing time. 

"cul-TEA-vate"

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

Ah-h-h reaping what one sows---pretty sobering thought. As an adult, we often "spew" words from our mouths that we later regret, especially when we hear those words coming from a child. The "words of one's mouth should always be acceptable unto the Lord." (Psalm 19:14) 

The "S" word for our kids was shut-up---that disrespectful word was not to be used. We said "hush," if deemed necessary. Our "adult children" seem to be sowing that same "seed" in their own homes. 

Seeds of kindness in word and deed. (DotsyDetails, 2/24/09) Fruitful seeds. As Michèle Phoenix says, "Kindness is the fruit salad of spiritual gifts."

Those are the seeds we should all cul-TEA-vate* in our homes.

Serve a cuppa kind words to others today so that they, too, might "cul-TEA-vate" that fruit on their own lips.

*How fun it has been to receive "tea" words from blog readers---cul-TEA-vate was Carolyn's (Batesville, MS) contribution.

LESSONS FROM DADDY

2/25/12 Peonies----I just love them. Mama Davenport had gorgeous ones on the rise in her back yard---her cutting garden. The peony bushes backed up to her neighbors’ fence and many a family picture was snapped there among all the blooms in her cutting garden. She would cut peonies and bring them in for her kitchen table. Before they made it to the table they would sit in a big watering can on the back steps outside Dang-Dang’s sleeping porch door. Those blooms full of petals would make us all smile. Blossoms of white with a few pink thrown in for interest.

She loved them first. Therefore I couldn’t help but love them.

They were Mama’s  “pee OWN nees”----regardless of how Webster says we’re to pronounce peony, Mama’s accent was always on the 2^nd syllable.

As a child, Daddy taught me to never make fun of another’s pronunciation when it was different from my own. I still remember the pain/shame I felt from that admonishment when I giggled at Mama’s pronunciation of our phone #---Tuxedo 5-3985. A lesson taken to heart. Kindness taught in a teachable moment. (Ephesians 4: 1-2, 32)

Hopefully, I will continue to afford this grace to others. Another of Daddy’s lessons well learned.

Watermelon-Kindness: An Analogy

8/18/09 Kindness

The mountains shall depart, but my kindness shall not depart from you. (Isaiah 54:10)

I’ve been wondering why two of the “fruit of the spirit characteristics” that I’m most lacking in are side by side in the list. (Galatians 5:22-23) Patience and Kindness.

BTW, before you read any further please remember this—Don’t compare your insides with someone else’s outsides!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve said that before but I’m having to remind myself over and over as I study these spiritual fruit characteristics. Why? Because that’s what I’ve been doing and it’s brutal. This is God’s work and His grace is sufficient in our weaknesses.

Remember when it used to be a big deal to get to eat the “heart” out of the watermelon----you know, that sweet plug you’d always want to take right from the middle! There were no seeds in that location, just cold, refreshing, sweet red fruit----without a doubt, one of the sweetest treats of summertime in the South. But rarely did anyone in my family have access to the heart, except Daddy that is. Mother would always cut a piece for him with lots of heart. In my mind’s eye, I can see him sitting on the top step of the latticework back porch at 2211. Watermelon slice in one hand, salt shaker in the other---enjoying every juicy bite. Refreshment was written all over his face. My brothers and I enjoyed ours as well letting it drip down our chins---juice, seeds and all. Since we had a lot more of those big ole black seeds to contend with---well you know what we did with those. Spitting contest, anyone?

Two weeks ago for just $3.99 at Wal-Mart one could purchase a seedless watermelon---that’s like all heart. The small, soft, white, seeds that are present are virtually undetected and can be eaten along with the flesh of the melon. When these hybrids were first developed they were not as tasty/sweet but nowadays they are delish----a real “nummy-nummy” as Owen says.

I know a few folks whose insides are like that watermelon---they’re hearts are ripe with kindness. No yucky, bothersome black seeds get in the way of their sweetness. They exude sweetness. This is not contrived---not just manners or superficial social graces or compliments for compliment’s sake-i.e. flattery. Their lives manifest this fruit of the Spirit. As God’s lovingkindness is great toward them, their benevolence is great toward others. I did not say their situations were perfect, only that they have thankful hearts and see God’s kindness in their lives regardless of their circumstances. Just like the watermelon that remains close to the vine until maturity is sweeter, these folks who abide in the True Vine have an eternal sweetness about them. Their sweetness counts for eternity as they “do good” to others regardless of the response, invest in others’ lives, bear the burdens of another, listen to others, pray for others and give thanks in all things.

Though my mother tried many methods to ensure the selection of the sweetest watermelon, no amount of thumping, taping, sniffing, or shaking actually gave a clue to the inside condition of the melon. 

Oftentimes, maybe most times, our outsides don’t give a clue to what’s really on the inside either. Sometimes we don’t even know. (Jer.17:9) But God…………”create in me (you) a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me” (you). (Psalm 51:10)

Now that I know watermelons do not continue to ripen after they have been removed from the vine, I know that if I’m going to mature in this area, I need to move closer to my Vine. I need to abide. Sweetness/kindness in my heart doesn’t come naturally.

In 1974, I couldn’t have found the book of John in my Bible without the Table of Contents. But God……I not only found John but I found chapter 15. It changed my life. This weekend, I plan to return to that “ABIDE” chapter for a refresher---maybe I’ll do it with my Bible in one hand and a piece of watermelon in the other. How refreshing is that!!!

Kindness

2/24/09 “cuppa” kindness
Those who know me well, know that I like “sweet” tea with a big lemon wedge---none of that artificial stuff for me. But they also know that I am somewhat of a “hot” tea aficionado---maybe that accounts for all of those years of my love affair with England. Maybe that also accounts for all those years, as ljj reminded me recently, of serving a “cup of tea” to each student (1,000+) who came to the library during January---as a part of National Hot Tea Month. Of course, a good book was always part of the celebration and Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea was a favorite with the younger ones---and me too. 

I think I liked Mr. Putter b/c “he was old and his bones creaked” but he still took time each day to share his tea. He took his with sugar, Tabby took hers with cream and I take mine with both---actually preferring milk to cream, so it doesn’t overwhelm the tea flavor. (but never lemon for my "cuppa")

Prior to serving the tea, I’d make a big production of the tea tray and all the accouterments that made “taking tea” together so special. We discussed manners---sipping not slurping. Always, we talked about how special it was to sit and share with another person---an act of kindness of sorts---a way of saying I care about you enough to spend time with you.

In Grandaddy’s hospital room, I was jotting down these notes for the blog when a beautiful young nursing assistant in green scrubs came into the room to take care of his needs. I thought how familiar she looked to me----when you’ve been teaching 41 years, you see lots of familiar faces. Later I asked where she went to school. “Germantown.” I’m a Houston High gal so that didn't ring a bell, but then it “hit” me. “Did you go to Southwind Elementary?” I asked from behind my mask, which I have to wear anytime I'm at the hospital. “YES!” I reminded her that I was Mrs. Liles and the first words our of her mouth were, “You served me tea in the library! It had an orange taste and you made it just for us.”
Now over 10 years later, she’s returning the kindness to a member of my family as she cares for him and actually helps him sip his tea. We never know how our lives will impact someone else, but if kindness is involved, I think the benefit lasts a long time. Sadè is my proof.

In celebration, I’m having a “cuppa”--Jacksons of Piccadilly Darjeeeling--“the true classic of afternoon teas”--- in a my Queen’s china cup, with the pink rose design and looking up more kindness verses. As Michèle says, “Kindness is the fruit salad of spiritual gifts.”

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Galatians 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
2 Timothy 2:24 The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,