SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: TREE TOPPERS

12/15/13 Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace benefits LeBonheur Children's Medical Center as well as all the children who go there to check out the Enchanted Forest. Admission supports this "crown jewel" of our city. For those who don't have time to go, ENJOY some of the winners!

The Reason for the Season Luke 2:8-14---a real WINNER!

"TREE HUGGER"---looked so-o-o real

My Texan fishermen would love this one....

......"Sportsman Christmas"---1st Place Best Theme

"Blazing Trails" for Jesus---2nd place for "Best Theme"

"Have Yourself a Despicable Christmas" would be the choice of all 6 grandsons!

Seize the Clay's "Snow Queen" won 1st Place "Most Creative"

WHAT A GIFT!

12/14/13 A REAL Gift. A Gift of Love. A Labor of Love. 

A gift from the heart of the Lord through the heart of the giver.

Each year the format provides "light," as well as "encouragement," through 12 Days of Christmas. 

This year, like all years, the theme is unique. This year's topic is especially apropos because giver and receiver have prayed and weathered many storms together understanding that storms filtered through His hand can make us stronger.

Gems Gleaned thus far:

• Weather Words used metaphorically in scripture can give insight and new perspective. 
• Stormy circumstances are inevitable. 
• The Lord is in the storm----in Psalm 29 His name is given directly 18 times. 
• It is incorrect to assume that storm/suffering occurs because it's beyond God's control. 
• In storms of life, Jesus is our "safe room." 

A "peek" ahead found this shining jewel. "Better to go through the storm with the Lord than to have smooth sailing without Him. (ODB. Fisher, 5/25/13)

What a gift, indeed!

Consider this...........

11/12/13 What spiritual truths do you want to pass on to your children or grandchildren?

What thoughts would you have them ponder?

I wanted to encourage you and tell you how kind God really is, ......so that you will have faith in Him....and keep on having faith in Him. (1 Peter 5:12)

Book Reflections & reviews...........

12/11/13........With so-o-o many books available in so-o-o many formats, it's hard to choose ones that are worthy of one's limited time. "There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out." (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
It's even harder to recommend a book because there's a responsibility that one feels. Yet, as any librarian knows, when trying to lead a patron to their next great read, much of it depends on the patron's preferences as well as their life views.
For me,  to answer the question, "what's a good "new" book to read?" I just tell what I've read lately and then usually add a few disclaimers with my "choice"rationale. I just finished a new "quick & easy read" book and it was what I needed as my life has been one of ups and downs lately, and I needed a quiet gentle book. I found a book that touched me in such a way.
What really sold me on Mitch Albom's, The First Phone Call From Heaven, an allegorical story that deals with the power of belief, was the acknowledgment from the author (p. 327)

Finally---and firstly----anything created by my heart or hand is from God, by God, through God and with God. We may not know the truth about phones and heaven, but we do know this: in time, He answers all calls, and He answered mine. (Mitch Albom)

That to me is an "A-men" review.

Hopeful Meditation #3

12/9/13 Today's Streams in the Desert was "on the mark" for my season of struggle. Sadness continues to "catch me unawares." (a Hoptown phrase) Not only was a verse of encouragement provided but other thoughts for contemplation as well. Thoughts so appropriate for this Monday Meditation.

There is a compensation in every sorrow, and the sorrow is working out the compensation. It is the cry of the dear old hymn:

"Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me." 

.....weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)

There is a peace that cometh after sorrow,
Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled;
A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow,
But calmly on a tempest that it stilled.
A peace that lives not now in joy's excesses,
Nor in the happy life of love secure;
But in the unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of conflicts won while learning to endure. (Streams in the Desert, 12/9)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: GOD'S WORD

12/8/13 One never know's when she'll "run across" God's word in the "South." How refreshing!

In the "washroom" at Phillip's Grocery in Holly Springs, MS. 

Story of Creation on the wall at the Delta Bistro in Greenwood, MS. 

Driving the Delta (& beyond) with Friends

12/6/13 From Memphis, the Gateway to the Delta, with Peabody ducks, Felicia Suzanne's and the Orpheum via Holly Springs (Phillips' Grocery) and Oxford (Square Books, City Grocery and Faulkner's home,) my California friends and I ate our way through Greenwood, MS, the heart of the Delta, via Alluvian Hotel's, Giardina's, Crystal Grill, Lusco's and Delta Bistro. Think, lots of oysters, LOTS of onion rings, and enough fried foods to equal "15 pounds of bacon."

A crush to wash down a Phillip's Grocery greasy burger. 

Giardina's oysters 3 ways

 Broiled shrimp with Lusco's famous sauce.

Like a Shepherd...

12/3/13 The Lord is my shepherd.....what comfort that brings. (Psalm 23:1)

Tender. Loving. Caring. Guiding. Nourishing. Think on those godly attributes as you meditate on Isaiah 40:11......

Messiah Calligraphic Word Pictures, Timothy R. Botts , p.39

Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock;
    he will gather lambs in his arms
    and lift them onto his lap.
    He will gently guide the nursing ewes. 

....and be thankful

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: TEXAS SUNSHINE

12/1/13 A week with family....what a blessing. Even more fun for the little kids (and the big kids, as well) when the sun came out. Celebration Park was a celebration of young cousins and older siblings playing together.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Waiting on God

11/30/13  

How does one die gracefully? If I’ve learned anything these last 2 1/2 weeks, I've learned that one who lives a grace-filled life, is able to approach death in the same manner.

Sweet friend, Claudia, had been “terminal” for over two years while defying all the medical odds and passing two life-expectancy time-lines. But, since November 13, many of us watched her live a graceful life within her most recent given time-line----two weeks to two months. 

A life full of grace. A life full of blessings to others. A life full of encouragement. A prayerful life. A thankful life.

Her heart and her mind full of grace and gratitude---living spiritually to the fullest while waiting for God.

Her wait may be over.....but not the impact of her life. 

11/20/13 Photo courtesy of Ellen of Jones Clinic