TIMES GONE BY---

Books, pictures, objects and chats with friends like Diane H., have a way of jogging my memory when I think I've lost it.

This morning I was reviewing some fave pages of Wilma Dykeman's book, The French Broad. Meeting her years ago at the Governor's Writers Academy in Appalacha influenced my continued intrigue of the area! Though she was the historian of the state of TN, she was a native of Asheville, NC.

A fave chapter (#10) involved a fervent old time preacher, speaking to a heat-oppressed crowd, with the real soul-splitting, happy-shouting kind of religion. ....not mamby-pamby, low voiced stuff. 

"Because, brother, I'm a-telling you straight, you've got to take the tonic of God and eat the whole word that will put some zip in your soul...." 

(p. 310) 

He reminded those listeners on the courthouse steps of a bone-deep thirst for God's word as similar to theirs for the little 6.5oz, green bottle of Coca-Cola. (a long-time fave of mine as well as Diane's)

The preacher's conclusion .....without God's word one can end up in the "muck and mire of hell" where there ain't  no relief.....

"There ain't no fans, nor no rest and, brother, there ain't no Cokes in hell." (p. 313)

Thx Diane for a fun, encouraging chat!

"LIT UP" FOR GOD'S PATH!

Light for me brings assurance. I like being able to physically see where I am gong.....and even where I have been. Maybe the need for security is why I leave the porch light on so often. Flashlights are in every room.

What's the best way to have true light in our lives? Pick up your Bible. Know God's Word. Truth from Scripture is our lamp!

May His Word be a light for me and all who read this today as we seek the path that He has for each of us!

Such info will probably light up our faces! Think "All Lit up!"

❓？⁇ ᥅ ⸮︖ ❓

12/2/2026 

What is "THE" question for 2026?

I'm still in the "consideration" mode?

What "one" word will be a "lamp unto my feet and a LIGHT unto my path? (Psalm 119:105, emphasis mine) What "one" word will guide me to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God? (Matthew 4:4)

His word is truth! (John 17:7) Breathed out by God. (2 Timothy 3:16) 

The question remains.....What Is My One Word ❓？⁇ ᥅ ⸮︖ ❓

MONDAY WITH MOLLY!

This is the way; walk ye in it.

He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life.

His name is Jesus.

The sole path to Father God.

BOX OF BLESSING!

Sometimes a gift box has its own blessing!

Looking forward to showing you the wisdom for me in this gift!

True wisdom is "rare" and comes from God's word!

God's Word.....a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

(Psalm 119:105)

Just 4 letters to help my short term memory focus! Not a random focus but one that is meant for me as a believer. Think "Believer's Apothecary" with a great acrostic.

Come back next Wordsmith Wednesday to see the gift that encourages me to continue to do small things that God leads me to do so they become great things In His name for His glory and my good as I have ways to serve others even if limited!

FRIDAY FOCUS!

Simplicity of song heard this Friday morning was an "open invitation," of sorts to turn my eyes upon Jesus..... to FOCUS FULLY on HIM!

Just click and listen. .....for only a minute and a half to begin your focus.

Be still.....(Psalm 46:10

Fix your eyes upon Jesus........through song, meditation and prayer.

Look to Him.......in quietness and trust.(Isaiah 30:15)

Gaze on God. Glance at all else.

REFOCUS

Consider....opening His Word. (Hebrew 12:3)

Examine..focus on the fact that God is present & speaks to us as we read His Word. (Psalm 119:105)

Inspect...words you hear/read on line...Beware of false prophets

Seek...Him first. (Matthew 6:33)

Thank God in everything! (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Focus on Him......not self!  A great Friday Focus!!

N.O.T.E.

N.O.T.E. An acrostic follow-up as I pay attention and consider His ways.

Studying God's Word is more than a "plop and drop" experience. Although at times I have done that as well. God can always meet me right where I am. 

When really studying God's word and searching and finding a  scripture for further understanding.....I read, mark, sometimes highlight, chew on it and inwardly digest it (Jeremiah 15:16) 

I need to read through a scripture for context. Prayer follows and continues. I notice words or phrases jumping out. I observe around me ways God is leading me; I talk to the Lord. I embrace and respond accordingly. 

Notice

Observe

Talk

Embrace glory (Joyce Ann Evans) as we respond to what God has taught us

To God be the glory as I take n.o.t.e. and live it out.

CONSIDER LIGHT

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.....(Psalm 119:105).....And the way to my soul, according to Dr. David Jeremiah.

Light shines in the darkness

In Dr. Billy Graham's life, Christ's light shone brightly even at his final crusade, his funeral.

The symbolic light found it's way to rest upon the top of his casket.....

(Picture from Anne Graham Lots newsletter)

......like a BIG stamp of approval Father God bestows on His good and faithful servant.         (Matthew 25:21)

CHOOSE: TOO CELEBRATE LIGHT ON THIS 2nd SUNDAY Of ADVENT

As the magi followed the great "light" that rose in the east to find the Lord, (Matthew 2:2) God's word is our light which not only leads us to Him but allows Him to lead us.

Your word is a lamp unto to my feet and a light and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

CHOOSE: TO CAMP OUT

Hubby can't wait to "camp out" by the creek. He's been  pulling out the needed equipment for weeks and it's still over a week before we leave for Deep Creek Campground.

I, on the other hand, would be perfectly content to just "camp out" in the Psalms.  It takes a lot less equipment---just my Bible and a quiet place. I can use God's word as my "flashlight." (Psalm 119:105)

But God reminded me that two of my grands will be there, Owen as well as Lucy, whom I rarely see. 

So, camping out, "hubby style" it is.
But....I'm taking my Bible and will seek a quiet place for my "mental tent" right beside the flowing creek. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

CHOOSE SCRIPT NOT SILICON

Text. Script. Trusted Hard Copy.

Whatever one wants to call the old tried and true way to research, my recommendation is to hold on to that, especially when doing Bible Study.

Certainly the computer can aid in that study but DO NOT COUNT ON SIRI!
Siri is NOT always the answer. Siri is silicon. (Even she knows that!)

Siri's first response to my "word study"request was, I do NOT eschew theological disquisitions.    

How's that for a mouthful---or screen full---just wish I had gotten a selfie of me sitting with my mouth agape and Siri's response in full view.
I did get a screen shot of the next one, though not nearly as complex!

My policy should be that as well---don't count on Siri to answer life's REAL questions.
So...back to basics---my "good ole Strong's concordance." Works ever time I choose to take the time and not be lazy. 

Strong's Concordance certainly helped me to get to the heart of the matter! (Psalm 43:3, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12)

"Affini-TEA"

Yet he proved he is real by showing kindness, by giving you rain from heaven and crops at the right times, by giving you food and filling your hearts with joy (Acts 14:17, NCV)

Affinity---I have lots of "tastes" which I see as good---and frequently refer to these affinities on this blog---namely God's word, tea, both hot as in my cuppa, and sweet tea, iced.

This time of year I have an affinity for peaches. I just can't seem to get enough. But....I'm picky about my favorites. Georgia's nickname, the Peach Tree State is based on claims of this high quality fruit grown in their soil. They are good. Clanton, AL dubs itself as its state's largest producer of peaches and even crowns a "Miss Peach" each year. Also tasty.

But...in my opinion, the BEST peaches are grown right here in West Tennessee near Reelfoot Lake in the town of Troy. Today, I  found them at the Agricenter. YUM!!!

Throughout the entire year I have an affinity for God's Word and appreciate new versions introduced & re-introduced by others; New Century Version--Susan Duntsch, Contemporary English Version--Marje Andrews and The Message--Mary Minor.

Regardless of the version, I see the Bible as the standard for living a life which would please Him. As a "lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," (Psalm 119:105) His word instructs and illuminates truth for me. Not, as John Stott says some folks do by "using Scripture as a drunk uses a lamppost, namely for support rather than illumination.” I truly "treasure His word"---for real! (Psalm 119:11) 

Today I enjoyed a cuppa "peach flavored" affini-TEA for His word with Flippen's peaches.

Oh my....Batesville, MS blog reader, CMF, just sent this pic. Be still my heart--- I may have a new affinity!

LAMPS THAT GIVE LIGHT

4/19/12 If  you want to know the scoop on what to read, where to shop for…., or what’s on sale, etc. go to knitting at Drenda’s on Mondays. Those ladies are a wealth of information. They’re also nice---though they have all finished several 6” dolls for the Church Health Center, they still allow me to participate and I’m just now getting to the shoulder area on my first one.

At this week's gathering I got the “scoop” on an OTT. That’s a "must have" lamp for folks with eyes needing a little help. According to Sharon and Dren its white light helps one focus without a harsh glare and the details of a written page or a pair knitting needles become incredibly clear. So…..I drove immediately to Tuesday Morning because they were also “ON SALE.” Two words that resonate with this retiree.

This lamp does just as “advertised” by my knitting friends. It illumines with clearness more than just brightness. It’s bendable gooseneck directs the light right where I need it!!!

It helps me focus on my Bible and all those books that are right by my prayer chair---so that’s where I put it! Home décor folks beware---it might not blend with my traditional furniture but I don’t care! It meets my need!

It even shone brightly on that day’s (4/16/12) Upper Room entry, “A Lamp and A Light.” The title alone affirmed my decision but the real deal sealer was the verse.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
 and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

God’s word is truly the lamp that lights the pathway I should follow.

My OTT literally gives perfect light that illumines God’s written word for me. But it’s the Holy Spirit that illumines my heart and gives understanding to those words, which my eyes can now see.

PRUNING

10/2/11 This weekend's cool temps coupled with a willing hubby allowed time to "tidy-up" in our yard. Notice I said yard, not lawn. We're yard kind of people so we don't have a landscape design as such. But even to this inexperienced eye, I knew we needed some pruning. If for nothing else than to bring in light to the middle of the bush. This would encourage new growth. But to get that light we had to remove dead, broken or diseased branches. Suckers, those odd branches that had started growing from the base of your tree, and even the spindly branches needed to be removed and discarded---in order for us to return it to the shape it was meant to be.

Believers are a lot like that. Believers have a spiritual shape. S.H.A.P.E. = Spiritual Gifts; Heart; Abilities; Personality; Experience. (C. Keeth) It's our God-given makeup. People have gifts to offer others, a heart that houses their passions, abilities that aid them in using their passion to minister to others, the perfect personality for their calling and the experiences that affirm this. But to maintain that "shape" one needs to rid themselves of the "useless" and to walk in the light of God's Word. Live with His perspective. Allow Him to light your path. Discard your junk. Leave it on the curb.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

As I stated in a 3/13/11 blog, Pruning helps to bring balance and it guides the shaping of the plant (or person) to be all it (or she) was intended to be by the one (or One) who planted it. Pruning both in the garden and in our spiritual lives is necessary for healthy growth. We have to get rid of the superfluous and useless parts that compete with the healthy growth---

Prune the part that doesn't let in the needful light!

Sunlight + Sonlight = Warmth

3/9/10 Morning light is coming sooner these days. Oh, I still dress in the dark but when I arrive at work at 5:45 there is that hint of sunrise. It can just warm me all over. It gives me that glimmer of hope.

In the early morning darkness, it helps if someone else is there to walk alongside or to lead especially if they’ve walked this way many times in the past. During these past dark, dreary winter months, especially when our lone parking lot light wasn’t working, I've had to fumble for my belongings (you know what bag ladies teachers can be!) and stumble toward the entry.

Have you ever stumbled in the dark? What is it about darkness?

Maybe a better question would be, “What is it about the light?” It exposes all those bumps on our path and clearly shows the way to our destination. Sometimes just a small light can help---that’s why I keep a flashlight in my purse and by my bed. All “just in case” kind of gals do that, I think. Light helps to determine direction while waiting for the sunrise.

God’s word continues to be a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” as it says in Psalm 119: 105. That lamp shines for the steps I need to take today---those that are right in front of me. That light illuminates the entire path that is before me---my spiritual journey. It’s the light that keeps me from stumbling in the darkness of self. It’s the Sonlight that warms me and gives me hope.