25 WORDS OR LESS

Can I do it?

Verbose by nature. Here goes............

Be anxious for nothing.....pray about everything; put requests before God; ask with thankful heart; keep mind on Christ for God's peace to come. (Philippians 4:6-7, 24 word paraphrase mine.)

Pithy picture only uses 4 words! "A truly wise person uses few words." (Proverbs 17:27)

OK Wordsmith's---comparatively, fewer should probably be used....but I've always heard "25 words or less" in gaming. OOPS my verbosity took over again!

commUNITY

Community is a word that has been bantered around a lot in 2020. 

For believers, the fellowship of believers takes community up a notch. A commUNITY of devotion. (Acts 2:42) Fellowship enjoyed by "walking in the light" together. (1 John 1:7)

Abundant love shared because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Such love within commUNITY pleases God and blesses those of us together on the same side of our struggles. (Hebrews 13:16) 

May our commUNITY continue to thrive in 2021!

*A big thanks to all in "my" commUNITY who prayed for my older brother today. He had a heart attack and his quick arrival at the hospital was life-saving. He had 2 stents put in and will probably be in the hospital for a week, because surgeon said he is "not quite out of the woods, yet,"

FIRST DAY OF FIRSTS

FIRSTS for the FIRST

First picture I took in 2021 because hubby saw reflection as sun rays came through.

Hubby who read aloud our first devotional from New Morning Mercies had me look up Psalm 115. The first verse had "My One Word" 2021 choice! STEADFAST. I see that as my 1st affirmation from God.

 Not to us,  O Lord, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness! (Psalm 115:1, emphasis mine) 

First text w/ picture I received. Thx MA family! She's saying "cheese" as picture was taken.

First laughter to grace my ears. All because someone said, "cut the cheese."

Thanks to all who made my "first day of  firsts" so special in 2021.

MERCY ME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2021 IS HERE!

We made it! Thank you, Lord. Lots to ponder today as I nosh on my black-eyed peas and fresh turnip greens. (Hubby will only eat spinach, thus the can.)

Lord, You are still on the throne ......& your mercies are indeed new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

As Paul David Tripp, the author of NEW MORNING MERCIES, desires for his readers, "may people see the gospel as a window through which they are to look at everything in life. (Introduction)

Mercy Me! I  "see" that as a window of grace and mercy. 

2021 RESET NEEDED

These days, we all need a "shot in the arm." Literally! We stand and wait for our turn for the COVID vaccine. But as we wait, let's ponder resetting our HOPE!

Type A folks can have trouble letting go of control. I know, I am a 'just in case" person trying to cover all plans in case Plan A doesn't pan out. It is not a healthy place to be. It's stressful---the one aspect of my life my stroke neurologist is trying to "temper"---don't give up on me Dr. Bhole.

In Mexico, my teammates dubbed me "girl scout" because I had packed lots of "just in case" meds, toys, snacks, etc. which I shared.

But....2020 blew "my" plans out the window. God only has a Plan A. 

Having meditated on Lamentations 3 for several days, I began to focus on verse 24.

"The Lord is my portion says my soul therefore I will hope in Him." (ESV)

His "Plan A" doesn't mean hope changes my circumstances, it reminds me who is control and in the midst of pain, suffering and uncertainty, He is with me.

Allen Bible Church's sermon closed 12/27/2020 with Dan Martin, reading the "My Hope is Built" hymn lyrics.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness......on Christ the solid Rock I stand," are the familiar parts of the hymn. 

Earlier that day I had the hymn whirring thru my mind and in my old Cokesbury Hymnal, (publication date unknown but cost was 30¢ for a single copy) it was on p. 24. 

I dare not trust the sweet-est frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.....In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds with-in the veil......When all a-round me then gives way, He then is all my hope and stay! (emphasis mine)

Thanks to Edward Mote for those phrases  that jumped into my psyche and soul to help reset my hope for 2021. I'm still humming it as I seek to reset my focus each day.

BLURRS-DAY

Let's see---what day is this??????

What day is tomorrow----oh yea, Blurrsday, like every other day!

Will it be the last? At least it will be the last of 2020.

**This little rounder couldn't even make it to his crib!

WORDSMITH REFLECTIONS

It's that time again---the drawing close of one year opening up to the coming of 2021!

OED had so many words to choose from for "Word of the Year" they expanded and encompassed several as "Words of an Unprecedented Year." A restating of "unprecedented" seems all encompassing, albeit over-used to me. According to the article, the use of pandemic increased 57,000% in 2020.

WARNING--Don't multiply words without knowledge. (Job 35:16)

All of this intellectual repartee had me considering what few words (Ecclesiastes 6:11, Proverbs 10:19) defined my year with the underlying word of HOPE.......

JANUARY--Pause & Listen (before seeking)

FEBRUARY--Angst---it was a leap year and there was no February 29 in my devotional book

MARCH--New Normal (w/COVID-19)

APRIL--COVID testing--my first of 2, both negative

MAY--FOHOF (Fear Of Hurting Others Feelings--text talk hard for the aged)

JUNE--DRIVE-BY (Birthdays)

JULY--Social-distancing

AUGUST--STROKE

SEPTEMBER--Fishing

OCTOBER--Wearisome

NOVEMBER--Twosome

DECEMBER--BLURRS-DAY

Mask up, Memphis. I still want to be vigilant & hopeful in my word gathering in 2021.

SEASON'S READINGS 2020!

People are always asking, "What are you reading?" 

Usually inspirational books and cozy mysteries top my list. Quite a dichotomy.

Again, the opposite ends of the spectrum---so like me. Actually both were rereads, one from college days and one from Children's Lit workshop days.

Obviously reading is a part of all my seasons, especially during a pandemic.

BLESSING UPON BLESSING!

Grateful for Google Meet and a niece willing to set it up.....for the Adams family. (Snap. Snap.) Not all folks made it in the pix because Kentuckians were traveling, youngest ones moved too fast & 2 folks were sick. 

After discussing pandemics effects in NY, MA, TX & TN & the recent bombing in Nashville we turned to family favorites---food, haircuts, college and family jokes.

Some of pix were blurry because I was laughing.....especially when Corey came out with big hair.

For a pandemic Christmas, it was a huge blessing for me.....how grateful I am!

AMAZING GRACE

We all know that God' Grace is amazing and it's new every morning. FRESH! ABUNDANT!

His grace is full of mercies. 

His mercies never fail. They are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I know. This morning 's sadness had me seeking a long soak in a hot bath. Tranquility and relaxation were calling my name. I found mercy instead.

A sweet friend gave me a Musee ** Amazing Grace bath balm. The ball of bath milk dissolves from white to red. However I carefully rationed mine---using when most needed, so it would last longer. & water became pinkish for me. This morning, I used my last bit and I was SHOCKED!

Out dropped a cross!

Mercy me. What a reminder for me---God with me. He is in control. His grace is sufficient 

(2 Corinthians 12:9) & AMAZING! 

**I'm a big fan a of Philosophy's Amazing Grace fragrance in lotions and shower gels but never knew of the Musee company which also has similar fragrance. Musee bath products are handcrafted in Madison, MS. The company has a mission of restoring lives by providing dignified work for vulnerable people, primarily women in recovery, the disabled, and impoverished. WOW--a gift that blessed me and others at the same time. A gift that keeps on giving is the best kind!