ABIDING IN CHRIST!

Apart from Christ we can do nothing.

A fruitful life is an overflow of one who abides.

As my grandson, Nathan said,--- "no root = no fruit" so water your roots with His goodness and grace!

Monday Musings appropriate to begin the week! 

FAREWELL HIGH SCHOOL!

What a special time for many school events occur in the month of May----especially for high school seniors!

Senior Walk from Main St. to Everett St.-------

Baccalaureate Service w/ family lunch after----

Swain County Elementary School Visits--

Prom---

Senior Drive-by from Everett St. to Main---

Say Farewell to High School but don't forget those final weeks. 

Keep them close to your heart as you go out into the world of young adulthood!

A powerful principle for all approaching adulthood (with its times of confusion or difficulty making decisions) comes from God's Word in James 1:5.

"If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God......and it will be given to him."

Think seek divine guidance after leaving high school!

ODK MATRICULATES TO WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY!

Grandson Owen's Swain High School Events ended last night. 

According to his first-grade brother, he became a "graduator."

Even Mr. Mike and wife brought blessings!

The Maroon Devils commencement began with the SHS Concert Band playing "Pomp and Circumstance" and the Star Spangled Banner, as all rose from their concrete stadium seats covered in sunshine! 

The ceremony itself opened with prayer delivered by one of the top 5 academic class leaders followed by the SCHS Vocal Ensemble singing Psalm 86! 

When I thought it couldn't get any better than that, the valedictorian delivered an encouraging charge to all her classmates to remember the old as well as embrace the new as practicing righteousness and serving others in their future as cited from God's Word, Romans 12:2:

Do Not conform anymore to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I so agree with her choice of Scripture.

Mindset is key when young adults go forth in today's world. 

Think matriculating.

Not only did each graduate receive a diploma but a Bible as well!

Fireworks and tossing their mortarboards ended the night with a BANG!

S.I.S.

S.I.S.----each of you. Listen up!

Struggles Increase Strength.....for those who suffer according to God's will. There is a point; His point.

Joni Erickson Tada, whose suffering season of disability will last a life time, shared once on a JoniandFriends Video of the time she had voiced these words from her soul---Tired, weary, collapsed, heavy, sad and defeated. Not voiced as a prayer. Yet, 30ish minutes later she felt a brightness in her chest as if God had answered what she hadn't even known was a prayer. She saw this as evidence (Isaiah 40:29) that God gives power to the faint and to those who have no might, He increases strength.

In The Way of The Wildflower,* Ruth Chou Simons stated, "It's grace that suffering isn't purposeless" (p. 110) and "It's grace when things don't happen according to my plan but happen for my good." 

(p. 111)

Psalm 72 says, "God will deliver the needy who cry out"!

"Find Strength in Struggle."

Cry out, S.I.S.----Loud and Clear!!

BEST BOOK REVIEW!

Is a book worthy of a great review? How does one remember?

Usually my faves are filled with jottings on almost every page.

This book has no jottings---just lots of post-its!

Why? 

Because the pictures are as exquisite as the words are 

"spot-on".....and it was a gift from a dear friend who knows both my     heart and my needs. 

As it says in the book, "The gospel binds our hearts together to a lifeline of grace!" (p.123)

A book worthy of a GREAT review both visually and with incredible

word choices anchored in Scripture.

PHILIPPIANS' FODDER!

How I love to "feed" on God's word!

Especially in the 13 Pauline epistles in the New Testament.

Four of my favorites are the mnemonic General Electric Power Company which have been my way to keep those books straight in my mind. Thanks to a bible Study teacher's suggestion years ago.

If anyone remembers her name, I would appreciate the reminder.

Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians.

Today hubby and I start a new book, Considering Sparrows,* by Kevin Burrell, a PCA pastor (Presbyterian Church of America) in Charlotte, NC. It's a book which blends creation's beauty with Scripture's depth from the book of Philippians. The subtitle of the book clarifies it well.

What Birds Teach Us About Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus.

Hubby, being an avid bird watcher, will keep me grounded as I'm one who would prefer flying away. (Psalm 55:8)

*A 2026 summer book study at First Evan, in Memphis, to be led by Anne B. and Mary E.. 

COMMON BOX TURTLE!

Common Box Turtle---

Is there any such thing as a"common" animal created by God?

This beauty showed up in our front yard this am. Hubby took a pic for us and by the  time we looked again, he was gone and we have yet to find him. Her? 

We had the idea that turtles were slow movers.

God's word tells us God created reptiles, described as "creeping things" on the 6th day of creation. The Eastern common box turtle, a creature that moves along the ground likes to eat earthworms, mealworms and sweet fruit (to be given occasionally as a treat) of strawberries, blueberries and melons.

Box turtles burrow under logs and leaves----sounds like our yard!

Terrestrial box turtles odd facts to us; have spatial memory to guide their navigation, have nerve endings in their shells and can hear without external ear flaps.

Seeing the beauty of the small turtle's shell was a great way to start our Saturday as we hum along, "For the beauty of the earth.....over and around us lies. Lord our God to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise! (from my limited memory)

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE!

My morning "cuppa" is not on an African savanna but in my comfiest chair as I'm experiencing the words of author Robin Jones Gunn as she writes of travel to Africa. 

Her book, TEA WITH ELEPHANTS, reinforces lessons God wants to teach the "suitcase sisters" in this foreign land of tea fields, beautiful, graceful and gentle giraffes, along with rambunctious elephants.

Kind words are like honey--sweet for the would and healthy for the body, (Proverbs 16:24, NLT, Gunn, p. 132)

The eye never forgets what the heart has seen. (African proverb, Gunn, p. 225)

Don't let emotional baggage burden you.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

Leave it at the foot of the cross.

AWASH IN AWARDS!

 3 years of positive growth in a new place---- town, state & school-----from not talking in pre-school to 2 years in kindergarten to helping his first grade teacher and making friends. 

Blessing upon blessing!

A BIG medal for a special award. The principal's award......

.......Presented with gratitude and respect in recognition of your meaningful efforts, positive attitude and the difference you've made throughout the school year. 

He also received his classroom's ANTONIO award for bravery.

 Jack called today the "best day ever" probably because he was able to leave school after the program!

 He saw that as award number 3----as any first-grader would!

WARBLING WEDNESDAY!

🎶 🎶 Singing along with my ear worm at Deep Creek. 🎶 🎶 

Joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) 

This very morning with a little toe tapping as well!

This is my story, This is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

What JOY!

Think......Echoes of mercy, whispers of love...@ EVERY TURN!