IN HIS NAME!

Sometimes a day off from distractions, a fast of sorts, is helpful in seeking direction.

One of the results was a tweak and a sharing! 

Fellowship---think "glue of God" for believers. 

Many of us have lots of friends. Often among friendships there are boundaries or commonalities. Caregiver companions. College chums. 

Work friends. Work-out buddies. Or today---a true commonality. 

A common cause of service to others out of love to our Lord Jesus Christ! 

 

I am a companion 

of all who fear you,  

of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)

 

Fellowship. Believers together regardless of the time or place. At the Home or Regions Bank. 

Sharing and caring are the manifestations of such a fellowship; it's life sharing!

“Exercising with one another.” Not at just at a gym or on a walk. Fellowship, is essential for growth, from physical to spiritual!  

Fellowship, sharing time in God's word laced with prayer enabling us physically coming alongside others in their struggles of life ---Our folks. Being there is an important earthly exercise with an eternal result. (Acts 2:42, 44)

 

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  (Romans 14:19) Mutual Upbuilding sounds like fellowship to me! Fellowship without grumbling. 

You. Me! We!! Thee!!!---the BEST UNITY!

Fellowship is fun! Fellowship is more than fun!

Fellowship is the blending of thoughts, words and actions as we live together in the Truth we know! The One who is the TRUTH.

Fellowship is a solidarity of like-minded, yet uniquely gifted, believers as we align our hearts with God the Father through Jesus His Son and His Spirit within each of us.

 

REMEMBER>>>A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.(Proverbs 29:7) 

FELLOWSHIP = FRIENDSHIP PLUS! A step above all the rest! 

 

Fellowship of believers bound through the blood of Christ.

A relationship where heart speaks to heart! 

 

May our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ…make your love increase and overflow for each other (fellowship) & for everyone else whom you serve. (1Thessalonians 3:11-12) To lend a hand 

 

Today may we magnify the LORD & exalt His Name forever! (Psalms 34:3)

 

To God be the glory in our KDS FELLOWSHIP. Amen!

4/28/2023

HOLDING MY PLACE!

I won't be on-line tomorrow for much of the day. In case T.H.O.T.S. come to mind, I'll share..... 

Trusting 

Him

On

This 

Subject

......my T.H.O.T.S. "jottings" later. 

"Jottings." Those paper and pencil types. Mine with a freshly sharpened #2 pencil!

A magnetic bookmark is perfect for holding my place. 

"WORDSMITHERY"

Wordsmithery- -the skillful use of words by a wordsmith. 

I came across the word in Kate Morton's most recent book.

It reinforced to me that most wordsmith's, those skilled in wordsmithery, were first avid readers. Her writing reflects that as well. Wordsmithery quality. "This was the magic of books, the curious alchemy that allowed a human mind to turn black ink on white pages into a whole other world." (Morton p. 201)

Morton lists many books as well as a few poems in the story that affect the characters in one way or another.  In her acknowledgements she states the book is also about book and booklovers and that why a number of writers and works are mentioned within its pages. (p.547)

Budding wordsmiths need access to libraries. Libraries can build community and offer books as well as a refuge for those who need someplace to go. As this year's theme of National Library Week states, "There is more to the story." As author Gary Paulsen (1939-2021) shared "the apartment basement, a survival place with an easy chair, rats and a hotplate---away from family tensions."

What ultimately saved Gary Paulsen's teenage life was a library. He often stopped in to the library to get warm. A librarian gave him a library card with his name on it and his first book. One a month, then one a week. Then one day she gave hims a Script notebook and a new number two pencil.

"Books saved my life."

Christians know that Jesus is truly the one who saves lives for eternity but those who have deep troubles, especially children, need to cross paths with one who cares---like offering a drink to the thirsty or care to one lost on a road side. Loving the Lord and their neighbor as themselves. (Luke 10:27)

A.E. thought all people should know the location of the library. I, on the other hand, think all should know the location of the church---a body of believers, where the best wordsmithery is found. 

In the pew back Bible. God is the ultimate Wordsmith!

SUNRISE! SUNSET!!

You, make the sunrise and sunset shout for joy! (Psalm 65:8)

What awe!

From the goldfinch singing outside my window as the sunrises.....

 ....to the sunset in the mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina.

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

VALLEY OF VISION!

Puritans strength of character came from their prayers and meditation.

Oh that such words could be used to describe all present day Christians! Recently, during Monday Prayer for Revival mornings, Carolyn Wynn read aloud one of the prayers, "Divine Promises" to us.

"All thy promises in Christ Jesus are yea and amen, and all shall be fulfilled."

Oftentimes, I use their prayers to prompt me into prayers and ensuing meditation of my own. 

A gift from Martha Banks in 2011,continues to be a treasure of an oft-needed vision for me.

GOOD BEGINNINGS IN LITERATURE!

WORLD BOOK DAY is just 4 days away. April 23; How will you celebrate? 

Read aloud to a child!

Parents and grandparents can often jumpstart a love for reading just by reading aloud as well as providing age appropriate books.

Is the written word important even when child cannot say or read words? 

Of course it is!

It stirs the joy of reading in his or her heart!

  

 

Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) and will need direction from God's word to guide them throughout life. 

Bible stories; literature of truth that is a good beginning of knowing, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Jesus Loves Me!"

Jesus Loves Me ,

This I Know,

For the Bible Tells Me So.

Little Ones to Him belong,

They are Weak but He is Strong!

Yes, Jesus Loves Me. Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

STORMS OF LIFE!

Literal storms have been a BIG part of spring 2023. Storms of mass physical destruction.

From rare snow storms in areas of California to tornados in the south upwards to the north east.

Survival is difficult as folks begin to assess damage and pick up the pieces. 

Storms leave behind deep scars in one's psyche. Soul, mind and spirit.

Life is full of storms of struggle even without atmospheric tragedies!

How does one pick up the pieces of this mental and emotional, shattering? How does one even begin to stand?

The answer is the same for all our storm woes.

• ......Draw near to the throne of grace.....(Hebrews 4:16)
• The eternal God is your dwelling place.....(Deuteronomy 33:27)
• ......Put your hope in His word. (Psalm 119:114)
• Draw near to God...(James 1:8) 
• Put on the full armor of God....(Ephesians 6:11)

Know the One who is the Answer!

SERMON ON A SIGN!

Sermon on a Sign.......more than just words in passing!

Heart Grabbing! Pithy with a punch!

A sermon message in a few choice words.....backed up by Scripture & found by Aubrey and Gayle on a road in MS.

Rather train yourself for righteousness (1 Timothy 4:7b)

Resist the devil. (James 4:7)

....what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Thanks Goodman Oaks Church of Christ for boldly sharing God's truth on your church sign!

MONOGRAM

It could be more of a southern tradition but monograms seem important in my "neck of the woods."

My daughter's wardrobe, as a youngster, was filled with monogrammed items and on to baby dishes and other items.

Dresses. Ruffled panties. Burp cloths 

Lockets. Silver baby julep cups. You get the idea.

As a newlywed, I proudly "sported" my new monogram, as most of my newly married friends "sported" theirs. 

My T-Cup travelers have lots of monogrammed items-- purses, towels, travel cups, baskets,  T-shirts...and a few funny stories that accompany them!

These days too many believers seem to be in the throes of "identity amnesia" We have forgotten whose we are! (Tripp, 4/12)

Today, Christian, understand that the most eternally important monogram to wear proudly would be....

............CHILD OF GOD!(1John 3:1)

The monogram that truly counts!

TUT! TUTT!!

TUT! Tut!!

Tidy

Up

Tuesday

Let all things be done decently and in order.! (I Corinthians 14:40)

That's what Tidy Up Tuesday is all about.

One drawer at a time. How about a pantry floor!

This helpless housekeeper can even find distractions in the clutter.

TUT! TUT!!