FAITH-FAMILY-FRENDS!!!

Faith. Family. Friends.

What do those three words have in common? 

The funeral of David Reid Manley, an amazing man with a soft heart and a servant's spirit, who would have appreciated Elvis singing "Precious Lord!"

A true celebration of a life-well lived by a PawPaw who loved the Lord first and allowed that love to overflow in service to family and others! 

Many of those who loved him filled the sanctuary. Fellow wood workers, deer hunters, jokesters and furniture movers. Most all of us were clad in Memphis blue to honor David's passion, as a Highland Hundred Tiger Booster. Even his Ole Miss chum.

Pastor Rob Mullins (Crossroads Baptist Church) offered comforting reminders from God's Word to those in attendance.

Remember--   

• God's Presence---Do not fear, I am with you...(Isaiah 41:10)
• God's Promises---For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 
• God's Peace---We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
• God's People---I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) His wife Nina & the family have seen that goodness from texts, emails, cards and of course, casseroles from the Baptists. (Rob Mullins)

Mr. Manley had such a generous, servant's heart. I know that first hand. I received one of his hand-carved comfort crosses to take with me to Texas for all my cancer surgeries in 2009. What a treasure for me!

David Manley was a John 13:35 man--- all knew he was a disciple of the Lord because he had love for others without ever expecting or needing a thank you.

Certainly faith, family and friends are proof of a life worthy of celebration!

THE LORD'S PRAYER #2

Our Father which art in heaven.....HALLOWED BE THY NAME! That must be the KJV because those word's came to mind as I recited the Lord's Prayer. NET, which Stacy Tyson quotes, translates "Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored."(NET) Holy. (NLV) Sanctified (TLV)P. D. Tripp says this second part of Jesus' model prayer frames everything that prayer is about.....as it reveals how precious the hallowed grace of Jesus is. (New Morning Mercies, May 5)

Tyson also states "be honored" more literally translates in modern terms as, "Let your name be sanctified." (The Best Times, March 2023)

Sanctified? 

Holy and unique. God worthy of reverential respect and awe as there is none like Him. (Psalm 86:8-9)

These days our prayers to our revered, glorified, worthy of praise Lord are the only Hope for the sanctity of our nation and the world.

REFUGE!

Another community is reeling from a mass shooting. This one is close to home---son Buddy's church home....3.4 miles away.

But God.... in His love and mercy has been their rock and strength. 

during this unexpected tragedy. I can only imagine how many would have been even more dismayed had they not seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

As friend Anne B. shared from her Every Moment Holy Volume II, p. 15, on widespread suffering.....for all to continue to love more generously and spread God's mercy.

Now labor in and through us, O Lord, 

extending and multiplying 

the many expressions of your mercy. 

(Every Moment Holy, p. 15)

An expression of God's refuge right here, right now. 

THE LORD'S PRAYER!

This prayer, from Matthew 6:9-13 is traditionally known as "The Lord's Prayer." Stacy Tyson, Director of Truth Seekers Fellowship, also sees  "The Disciples" Prayer" as an appropriate title. Tyson looks at the pronoun "Our" as a reminder that believers are not alone. We as members of the household of faith are apart of the family of God.

Not only that, but Jesus invites us to address the One True God as Father. An invitation into relationship with Him. Our Heavenly Father.

Paul David Tripp also sees this opening line of Jesus's model prayer as as glorious and encouraging way to begin our prayers (New Morning Mercies, May 4) 

A beautiful prayer beginning for a child of God---to address the Lord as the One who is our Father.

ADDITIONAL ALLITERATIVE AFTERTHOUGHTS

 FROM 

TO 

= not woe is me.......

                    .....but WOW IS HE!

Do you wallow in your own woe of "poor me" pity......

            or bask in the WOW of His goodness and grace! 

Woe or WOW----it's an alliterative choice!

ALLITERATIVE MEDITATION!

OOPS--didn't finish my alliterative meditation in a timely manner to post this entry. Pretend it's still Monday. Nothing new to me---I'm often mixed up on what day it is!

Ad agencies use alliterations to sell products. PayPal. Best Buy. Bed Bath and Beyond.

English prof once told me that alliteration is a "fake literary form" and should not be included in any true work of literature.

Oh well---alliteration resonates with me when I try to recall many Biblical truths. Alliteration helps A.D.D.

Self-serving or Savior-serving? That's today's alliterative question after rereading yesterday's journal jottings. 

It's had me thinking all day. All are called to serve. (Galatians 5:13) Not all serve in the same way or place. But service is a by-product of loving others. Then, why do I, who love others, seem to be serving less and less, but feeling wearier & wearer? 

Some well-meaning folks are telling me I just need a "me" day. Frankly, my dear ones, I don't think so. I think I need a "Thee Day.

"More of Thee and less of me." 

Not alliterative but comparative as the appropriate answer.

"Lean on Lord Jesus"  is the alliterative answer!

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)