MY SHEPHERD---A BESTOWER OF BLESSINGS!

"Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:" (Psalm 23: 6a)

That's BLESSING!

For me, blessings of goodness and mercy are unending, always available  from My Shepherd's hand! 

It all comes from Him. I've done nothing to deserve it. As Scotty Smith reminded readers in his 6/7/25 blog......

 You + nothing is the mathematics of mercy and grace. You (Jesus) lived for us and died for us, and you are now 100% of “our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”

God, like a shepherd, leads us to beneficial actions with a mercy that encourages us to go the second mile!

A dual blessing of goodness and mercy  will last God's people all the days of their lives is the BEST BLESSING!

GRACE & MERCY!

Grace and mercy. Two road signs I choose to follow! How about you?

God's grace through Jesus is greater than all our sins! His mercies are new every morning! I know because I prayed thru the characteristics of God this morning as I exercised.

Anyway you say it, with whichever term you use, mercy and grace are both attributes of love. God's love! 

I want to stay on their paths, especially when those street signs are so obviously needed in my life.

For my "Wednesday Wordsmiths"............

Recently, I read that mercy and grace are 2 sides of the same coin!

Mercy withholds (intentional or unintentional) deserved punishment; grace endows unmerited favor. Greek word for mercy is eleos (pity and compassion); the Greek word for grace is charis (favor)

Mercy is compassionate love to the weak, and grace is generous love to the

unworthy. Humans are weak and unworthy - we all need God's mercy and grace. Mercy takes us to the path of forgiveness while grace leads us to reconcilliation.

(https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-difference-between-grace-and-mercy.html)

MERCY ME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2021 IS HERE!

We made it! Thank you, Lord. Lots to ponder today as I nosh on my black-eyed peas and fresh turnip greens. (Hubby will only eat spinach, thus the can.)

Lord, You are still on the throne ......& your mercies are indeed new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

As Paul David Tripp, the author of NEW MORNING MERCIES, desires for his readers, "may people see the gospel as a window through which they are to look at everything in life. (Introduction)

Mercy Me! I  "see" that as a window of grace and mercy. 

AMAZING GRACE

We all know that God' Grace is amazing and it's new every morning. FRESH! ABUNDANT!

His grace is full of mercies. 

His mercies never fail. They are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I know. This morning 's sadness had me seeking a long soak in a hot bath. Tranquility and relaxation were calling my name. I found mercy instead.

A sweet friend gave me a Musee ** Amazing Grace bath balm. The ball of bath milk dissolves from white to red. However I carefully rationed mine---using when most needed, so it would last longer. & water became pinkish for me. This morning, I used my last bit and I was SHOCKED!

Out dropped a cross!

Mercy me. What a reminder for me---God with me. He is in control. His grace is sufficient 

(2 Corinthians 12:9) & AMAZING! 

**I'm a big fan a of Philosophy's Amazing Grace fragrance in lotions and shower gels but never knew of the Musee company which also has similar fragrance. Musee bath products are handcrafted in Madison, MS. The company has a mission of restoring lives by providing dignified work for vulnerable people, primarily women in recovery, the disabled, and impoverished. WOW--a gift that blessed me and others at the same time. A gift that keeps on giving is the best kind!

FAMILY MATTERS!!

Family does indeed matter---Family (adj) Matters (noun) or Family (noun) matters (verb).

Anyway you say it families matter to all of us. So do naps....when you're the matriarch of the family so I'm heading to take one. The surgeon general, or some such official said it's important to keep on a schedule during this COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm back. Nap refreshed me.

With most our family being miles apart, this coronavirus is taking its toll. Even the ones who are close by can only be seen at a distance, through a window. Our toddler doest's understand at all when he can see his PopPop but can't get to him. A desertion of sorts for him and the tears follow.

The baby who is the furthest away has no idea how much she is missed but Daddy knows that I really want to see her. Lately he's been sending morning pictures to brighten the beginning of my day. They are new every morning, much like God's mercies. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Today I saw her "tooffies" front and center.

A few days ago our son documented our elementary school Texans with such a clever "homeschool" picture. It included the all important date for their first day at their own "Corona Academy". His are attending  the  Pleasant Run Campus.

Family really does matter especially during this unprecedented time in our lives. So grateful that though we are miles apart, our hearts are as close as ever.

SUNRISE--SUNSET

Thankful Thursday ( 9/20/18 without WiFi) had me thanking the Lord for travels with friends and remembering family travels from east to west this summer. Anytime loved ones travel, it seems I implore the Lord to open their eyes to see His creation and also to see the glory of the Creator.

The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Bowman Lake--Glacier National Park--August 3, 2018

From the rising of the sun to the setting....The name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

New Suffolk (Long Island) New York--July 13, 2018

All That's Good and Great and True

Mercies dawn with every day, 

Newer, brighter than before;

And the sun's declining ray

Layeth others up in store. 

(Geodfrey Thring, Anglican clergyman, 1863)

Senior Moment

11/30/12  This blog had a beginning and a verse from a song that had whirred around in my head.  I even attempted to scratch out the notes on a bedside pad. It was dark and only about 3 letters made the pad. I don't have a clue what they meant. That's why I had to originally post the date as the title----hoping I would soon retrieve those original thoughts. I never did. 
Why would a thought/idea that seemed so important just fade away?
It happens often lately with all those annoying little things like wondering what I came into a room for or where on earth I put my keys, when I try so hard to be diligent and keep up with them. But not this....not a writing idea that seemed to have some "substance to it. Frankly it un-nerved me so much that I tried to find solace in the scriptures.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-23a)

My mind might not be totally gone but it's certainly on a downhill slide. So.....I need to focus on what is permanent----God's mercy and compassion and understanding because so much else  seems to be failing.
We all laugh at senior moments but sometimes they are NOT so funny.

DOTSY DOODLES

4/1/11 "Dotsy Doodle." Daddy used to call me that as I was growing up. He also called me "Sugar." Three weeks ago he couldn't speak my name even if he knew it. Last week I was Thelma though he did stammer out D-d-dotsy in response to Larry's question as we were leaving the hospital. I wonder what it will be tonight when I see him again? It really doesn't matter I keep telling myself----even if it"feels" like it does. It's not about me, it's about him. Though his future will not be what his past once was, I plan to be there for him. The life lessons now are no longer for Daddy or for Mommar, (hubby's mom) but for us. Lessons of compassion and trust.

This blog was going to be a way of sharing some of my jottings and musings from the last few weeks, thus the title. However, that's not where my fingers typed. So......I might share the rest or I might not. Right now I'm just mulling over God's mercy-----which is no April Fool's joke----it's the "realest" thing I know.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great it Thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)

God's Strength

2/2/09
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

This is a good verse for meditation on a morning when you don’t even want to get out of bed. I prefer the mornings when I’m able to say, “Good morning, Lord. I think I’ll have a piece of homemade chocolate meringue pie for breakfast.”

I was able to sit with Mommar, Larry’s mom, and watch birds and squirrels out the window even though thoughts of lawyers, docs, reports to fax, calls to make etc. etc. etc. were whirring around in my head. Those who are “on the same page” with me in the Jesus Calling book know the focus of today’s entry was free flowing thoughts seem to move toward problems------if focus is snagged on your problem, it circles round and round (boy, did it ever)----Your energy is drained!! It was already drained from three days of the “tyranny of the urgent”—you know those things that demand your attention & so you tend to them.

As an aside, if you are on the same page in the Jesus Calling book would you let me know---I’ve heard from several folks thru comments or LHH message/well wishes page or cards & calls. Just e-mail me at dotsyliles@gmail.com. Just wondering how far this little book is reaching.

This Monday was in my mind to become the day to share a little about MAC with folks b/c some have asked---maybe I wasn’t ready for that. I do know that sometimes people look at me as if I’m “in denial”---I’m really in a grace bubble. Trust me, I know a lot about MAC & enough of the journey ahead to warrant my attention and an understanding of things that I choose not to share b/c you readers are not covered with that extra measure of mercy and grace that is mine for the taking/accepting in the midst of this crisis.

Today became “Journal Jottings: a Juxtaposition of my Frailty and God’s Strength.” I needed His power and strength today in extra measure!! 

Thanks to anyone who prayed early---maybe it was your prayer that helped get me out of the bed and in a mode to ask Him myself---to strengthen me by the power of His might….for patience and endurance during this time.”