"GOLDEN BUCKET LIST"

Yesterday ended week 2 of our 50^th Anniversary. Our 50^th anniversary will be August 9.2019…. but I decided to begin celebrating on August 10, because to me, that was the 1^st day of our 50 years as a married couple.  So,  I started a gold/50 theme to carry our each week prior to our 50^th. Many of these “unique to us gifts” are still whirring around in my head but the overriding idea is one of fun, mystery and refreshment to both of us as we age together.

The first week, I delivered a golden bowl of scrolled prayers on gold paper tied with golden ribbon. The inspiration was Revelation 5:8, where John describes the golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. This reference refers to collective prayers of all God’s people which are a sweet aroma that is pleasing to Him. My prayers for the first week were prayers for hubby with my request to be the wife God would have me be, respecting and loving hubby as a way of honoring him and in turn honoring the Lord. (Ephesians 5:33)

Look closely to see bowl in right corner of picture with a prayer scroll.

Week 2, the golden bowl was set aside to make room for prepping our golden dinner, which we shared with our neighbors on the patio. They were in on the surprise to see if hubby recognized  the color theme of our “”golden” dinner.

The "golden kabobs were the side for our scallops dipped in "golden butter" along with the grilled golden peaches. 

The evening ended with an “almost-full moon” which appeared “golden” to our naked eye but hard to catch on our cell phone.

Will keep you posted through out the year as we add to our weekly "golden bucket list" journey to our “golden anniversary” next year!

SWEET AROMA

12/30/13

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "Prayers of God's people are as sweet to Him as incense, even though we come before Him unfit to pray." He calls the Holy Spirit the "Believer's Apothecary." (my Bible marginalia) Prayers "dispensed" by the Spirit seem to me to be the prayers with the sweet aroma that pleases the Lord.

In Revelation 5:8 one is reminded of that aroma of believers' prayers...."and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Twelve Christmases ago, I received a gift with a special tag. So special, it still resides in my NIV Bible. Everytime I see it, I meditate on the scripture because I'm convicted of my responsibility as a Christian to be a fragrance of Christ to the world and to the Lord as I pray for others in the household of faith.

 An "aroma from life to life" from one believer to another.

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.....(2 Corinthians 2:15)

Incense. A sweet aroma that comes from Him. 

INK JOY

1/13/12 Writing brings me joy as do great writing implements. Finely sharpened pencils. Ink pens with flowing ink. I no longer have my cartridge filled pens but I still have my flat top Sheaffer pen and ink from the 50s with the snorkel filling system----just put the tip in the bottle and pull the lever for it to slurp the ink up and in.

What brings joy to God? Prayers of His children? My prayers?

Prayers are important to God. His word tells us to pray without ceasing (1Thess. 5:17) Obviously God desires our prayers----continual communion with Him---even though they don’t add anything to who God is. He doesn’t need our prayers to complete His work, but He desires them. Revelation 5 passage, particularly verse 8, convinced me that our prayers are important to God. If they are kept in a golden bowl, I can only assume that they bring him delight and Joy.

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (the prayers of God's people, true believers) (Revelation 5:8)

I desire to bring more joy to the Father this year. In my somewhat OC (obsessive compulsive manner), I have all the color-coded journals and albums that hopefully will keep me focused on Him and improve my "too easily distracted" prayer life. My purple Ink Joy pen for “inkings” (jottings) in my purple “Praises, Prayers and Petitions” journal plus a small one for my purse. Even my light purple (lavender doesn’t start with a p) motif photo album filled with pix of those Saturday kids (big & little) for whom I pray. Faces to focus on. Prayers for salvation, growth in grace and knowledge, godly spouses and anything else the Lord lays on my heart. Faces to bring me joy as I pray.

May my praises and prayers in purple “ink” bring Him joy as well in 2012!