SABBATH SNAPSHOTS:HOPE #3

10/20/13 An equation of hope revisited.....

My Dismay + His Presence = Hope

A hope this side of heaven for both our physical and our spiritual well-being. An eternal hope, as well. Hope can come to us through God's Word, prayers, encouragement of others and ordinary things viewed from a new perspective.

A Tableau of Hope
 for all to see as they travel east on Poplar Avenue toward Germatnown, TN

Pass it On

10/19/13 Hooray---"My"Target didn't have any Jesus Calling in Spanish left on their shelves, but Lifeway Christian bookstore did. What a thrill to pass it on to someone who will cherish it as I do. Two more copies are headed to Mexico, as well. 

Oftentimes daily devotional books aid us in "our times of soaking before God, being rooted and grounded in HIm.....that we can remain faithful to Him whatever happens." (My Utmost for His Highest, 10/19)

Patty with her copy of

Jesús te llama: Encuentra paz en su presencia

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

EQUATIONS

10/17/13 I don't "do" numbers well. Number equations would be over my head----BUT word equations, I "get." Especially word equations with spiritual connotations.

Carolyn Down's H2H lesson last night included equations that made sense to me.

• My weakness + His Presence = STRENGTH 
• My fear + His Presence = COURAGE 
• My Dismay + HIS Presence = HOPE

My conclusion was that God's Presence must be factored into all situations. The variables in my life can change but if I want the "correct/positive answer," I must always remember that God's Presence is the highest common factor. That's not even tricky for me to figure out.

GP(God's Presence) = S(strength)+ C(courage) + H(hope) and 

GP(God's Presence) + S(strength) + C(courage) + H(hope) = GR (God's Rest)

Wordwise I get all of that......but I don't know how to factor those two equations into a whole expression---I just know how to live it.

WHY BLOG?

10/15/13 

I often ask myself the "why blog"question. I often ask God that same question. 

Partial answers include; 

• helps organize and clarify my own thoughts, 
• to answer spiritual questions others ask of me, 
• because God hasn't let me stop blogging, 
• to make a difference for someone-somewhere out there in cyber-space.

And then today 2 scriptures jumped out at me, as I prepared a lesson, reminding me of a very personal reason to blog. (emphasis and underlining are mine)

Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18)

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (2Peter 1:12-15)

So....maybe a big reason I blog, is for my grands and great grands, that they might know truth from God's word from their, Shug. (grandmother)

Why blog?

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 2)

I blog to know such joy---that they (Nathan, Noah, Caleb, John Parker, Andrew Owen & Lucy & their offspring) might know true joy.

PLEAS FOR PLEASING GOD....

10/14/13 "There's a Psalm for That" entry last spring had me "camped-out" in Psalm 5. Today I'm there again, tho I'm at a different place in my life. Thus, today's verses for meditation are different.

Listen (give ear) to my words, Lord, consider my sighing. (lamenting lit. meditation)
Listen (consider) to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear (heed) my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (eagerly watch, lit. look forward) (Psalm 5:1-3)

In this psalm one sees David's refusal to "stumble about stoop-shouldered, carrying his burdens throughout the day." (Living the Psalms, p. 17) Instead, he takes his needs to the Lord each morning.

Shouldn't I (you) do the same? Shouldn't my (your) pleas be about pleasing Him in every situation?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: a "looking" perspective

10/13/13 Cousins Owen(6) and Lucy (almost 2) rarely see each other----Memphis and Brooklyn are 1,100+ miles apart. But...this past weekend they spent a good bit of time together. What a joy it was to watch Owen "looking out" for his young cousin and for little Lucy to "look up" to him. She not only looked up to him, she tried to "keep up" with him as well. Fun to watch!

Hula Hoop lessons

Lego® lesson gone awry

Tree climbing lesson

Encouragement from the top

Day 1---Golf Cart lesson 

Demonstrating eating Whirley-Pop® popcorn by the handfuls

Smaller hands but just as full 

Pumpkin decorating demo w/ "sticky" cut-outs

Re-arranging "sticky" pumpkin cut-outs.

Decorating Owen with "sticky" cut-outs instead of the pumpkin 

Day 3--Independent golf cart driving. Shoes helped----it's all about the accessories.

SATURDAY SMILES

10/12/13 Somethings just make your heart smile....

Cousin Hugs

Wedding Celebrations--Congrats to Les and Ashley

and tears of joy well up......time to love. (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

PERFECT ARRIVAL

10/11/13 A perfect arrival, in terms of air travel, is early! It was still almost 10 pm Brooklyn time but Lucy was awake and even entertaining, between yawns. Plus. she was up bright and early today and ready for a "tea party."

Thanks Delta Airlines for an early arrival and thank you Lord for keeping those predicted thunderstorms at bay.

A cuppa for Lucy----

A cuppa for Owen

"TEA for TWO"....more tea, Owen? Yes, please.

SAFE PLACE

10/10/13 Everyone needs a safe place. A refuge. Is there such a place in our world anymore? 
Sometimes one needs more than bricks and mortar to provide safety from the enemies of the mind; fear, insecurity, anger, doubt, depression, jealousy, and anxiety.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)

God and His Word----a safe place. 

MEMO: RE Complaining

10/9/13 

MEMO

To: All with a tendency to complain

RE: DON'T COMPLAIN

CC: Those who need ears to hear

 Jesus Calling's entry (Sarah Young, 10/9) reminds readers that God wants us to talk to Him about our difficulties. He understands our stresses and strains and our struggles. When we talk to Him, He hears and we gain a new perspective----His.

HOWEVER, complaining to others opens the door to self-pity and anger.

Remember "complaint" is NOT a spiritual gift.

 

Complaining is straight from the "pit".....piercing us with self-PITy!