GONE CRUSIN'

8/27/13 Setting sail from Seattle in a few hours on an Alaskan inside passage cruise. A first ever "big" cruise for hubby and me.

The "surprise" team of 6 family and friends shocked my brother Buddy at the airport in Nashville yesterday, He thought that only he and his wife, Charlotte, were going on a leisurely cruise with their "regular" cruising buddies, Cindy and Billy. Char planned it all and he did NOT have a clue. I know, because he "puddled"----a few tears of joy and excitement for all of us. 

Praises for God's goodness!

See you in September.

Bon Voyage!

R.E.S.T.

8/26/13

REST---it’s the theme for our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women’s Ministry Bible Study this year. It’s so timely for so many. Tired people grow weary in trying, weary of forgiving, wearing of the pain and struggle. Weariness can be overwhelming.

People who need rest and refreshment often turn to pills, alcohol, even the spa to reenergize their sad lives as Max Lucado says in “Facing Your Giants.” But do they? There may be a reprieve from the weariness and the pain may be postponed, BUT is it removed?

Jesus Calling (8/3) reminds us that in such times, one should be quick to pray. Oswald Chambers “My Utmost….” entry (8/20) reminds us that our Lord is the One who establishes rest. 

Crickett, our WM director gave a helpful acronym to remember these truths

Re-order your priorities Lay all your burdens prayerfully before the Lord.

Exercise restraint. Learn to say, “No.”

Slow Down. God can redeem our time for His purposes.

Trust God. ‘Nuf said!!

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Lucado, 8/15)

R.E.S.T. might not have a tune but it has it’s own lyrics for the heart---and those words are meditation for today.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: HOPE 2

8/25/13 Sabbath Snapshots (8/11/13) did not include a picture because at the time I could not find it. I asked each blog reader to create his/her own mental snapshot of the "Hope" wreath at Jones Cancer Clinic. Today I found it---on my iMac computer, which I rarely use anymore. Compare it with the one you imagined. Let me know how you fared. 

Hope is imbedded in the book of today's snapshot #2. Author Sarah Young's first book, Jesus Calling, is the "little" book that gave me BIG hope during that first year (2009) of my cancer struggle. It continues to be my daily devotional book, as it is of many.

 I hope to have a cuppa with her someday to share my thanks for allowing God to use her and her writings to bless so many of us.

ADDENDUM---WOW---ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER I HAD POSTED THIS BLOG ENTRY----SARAH YOUNG SENT A TEXT ASKING ME TO COME FOR TEA. SHE WAS IN NASHVILLE AREA AND SO WAS I! 

WE SPENT AN HOUR & A HALF TOGETHER OVER TEA! (CONSTANT COMMENT) WHAT A DELIGHTFUL DAY.

What an answer to the prayer of my heart! 

GOD STORIES

8/24/13 God Story #1. Or maybe it was just a "God Wink." Either term works for me because God blessed my socks of earlier this week.

It all started Tuesday morning while perusing the local section of the Commercial Appeal. A mere glance at a child posing for his first day of school caught my attention. The little fellow looked so familiar. The caption underneath gave the name of the child's parents. Oh my! No wonder he looked so familiar! He looked just like his daddy had looked when I had taught him at that very same school 39 years ago. My next thought was wondering how that young man was faring in life. I wondered how to get in touch with him----but with phone books obsolete & LinkedIn requiring an email address, I didn't have a clue. Oh well, I kept the sweet picture of the little one to show hubby, who allowed me to reminisce. I remember lots more about all those early years of teaching and making home visits than I do about more recent events.

That night I attended a Give365 event with my other like-minded folks and as I'm waiting to enter the auditorium.......there is that same little face all grown up. What are the chances? Coincidentally, I don't have a clue! I don't do numbers. But spiritually, to me, it was a God-incident and my chances for those seem to beat the odds of humanity's numbers.

I approached him and he remembered his "Miss Dotsy" saying that he and Ann, another "alum" of my class, had visited at a recent parent's meeting. What a fine young man,.....husband and Daddy of 3. What a blessing to meet him. What a God-wink!

He emailed me a picture so there's pictorial proof of this God Story.

BTW, it seems as if there might be a God Story #2 just around the corner. It's imbedded in hope. I'll let you know tomorrow.

APATHEISM

8/23/13 Even Pastor Cole can often throw out a 50¢ word. Probably some are his own creation. Recently he introduced us to apatheism. It's the belief/theology of one who knows God or knows a lot about God but God doesn't matter to him. It's evident in the way he/she lives his life. Not quite agnostic---just an apathetic approach to God. Believers without teeth for their belief.

I don't know about others, but I don't want my life to be seen as a life of one who practices apatheism. I want to know Him and I want others to know that I know Him when they see my lifestyle.

Apathy + theism. Not for me. I prefer to live a life worthy of the label---Christian. 

GIVE 365

8/22/13 Today's Commercial Appeal local interest story highlighted the "Give 365" philanthropy. Though the story correctly identifies most of the "philanthropists" as those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, there are also others.

I and other educators, especially retired ones with big hearts and not so deep pockets, find his a great way to provide grants for many worthwhile (and VERY CREATIVE, I might add) ideas all for the greater good of our city. The Tuesday night presentations confirmed the intent of so many of these programs. (17 finalists) Voting for my Top Five will be a hard task.

Members give $1 a day (minimum)----it seems the least I can do to give back as the child of One who continually gives  to me out of His goodness, 24/7--365 days a year and beyond.

BTW, a match from a generous philanthropist, is available for all who wish to join, regardless of age or depth of pockets. Check it out at GIVE365----Philanthropy on $1 a day seems like a great way to give back.

WHAT A MOON!

8/21/13 What a moon, indeed! Did you see it last night????
Friend Jerrie and I got more than a glimpse of that BIG moon as we drove home from the "Give 365" meeting in the downtown medical center area.
When I saw it, I thought back to those nights of soothing babies. Sitting in the rocking chair by the upstairs window, babe in arms I would recite that familiar little ditty.

I see the moon
and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon
and God bless me. (but I would complete rhyme w/ Buddy, or Josh(ie) or Molly) 

When I see the moon
and the stars so bright,
I thank the Lord
for day and night.

I wonder if they remember. Wonder if they share "I see the Moon" with their little ones.

BTW thanks to Batesville, MS friend for the info. Ck it out and if you miss it, you'll know when this "Blue Moon" will next be seen. (It only happens once in a "blue moon.") Also, thanks to blog reader Nancy E. who brought to mind the Psalm 19:1-2 verse. Both the poem and the verse acknowledge the Creator.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.

What a moon! What a God!

Epitaph: inscribed on the heart

8/20/13
A recent “Best of Times” WKNO TV segment highlighted the life of Salvation Army brigadier, Gertrude Purdue, who died in May at the age of 104. The program listed many worthwhile accomplishments and her incredible energy, which was always directed toward serving others.

Yet, what stuck with me was her concluding quote. To me, a summary of her humility. It was the testimony of her life…..that little dash on her gravestone…..how she lived those 104 years.

I am a little pencil in the hand of a loving God who is writing a love letter to the world. (Gertrude Purdue, 1909-2013)

What a heartfelt inscription to remember. What an epitaph!

PERIPATETIC MOVEMENTS

8/19/13 Peripatetic is a Ronnie Steven's 50¢ word. He has a trove of them. It aptly describes my movements this summer, though I would use "hither and thither" to chart my journeys. Maybe even hither, thither and yon.

The journeys away from home have seemed to go in all directions yet they were meaningful and worth while because the purpose was to spend time with family and dear friends. Fait accompli.

But....the time at home, in between those trips & treks, has had me here, there and everywhere. Not much (purposeful, at least) accomplished. Running from pillar to post, as my grandmother, Gena, would have said---a linear description of walking in circles and therefore accomplishing very little. 

So what's the remedy? Meditation.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (Psalm 119:15)

God can redeem the time lost in my peripatetic, helter skelter, chaotic life when I take time to sit at His feet, head bowed and Bible opened on my lap. He can work everything together for good.....for His purposes. Even my hither and thither life style.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Highlights & Mountain Lights

8/18/13 Timely. This year's "adult trip to the mountains was as eagerly anticipated as in years past. But God....used it this year to provide sanctuary for me. Time away----the day after I received my fall teaching assignment. Silence. Solitude. Listening. Simplicity.....my given topics.

WOW----perfect timing. Provision of a perfect place to experience those lessons.

Sanctuary can be a place of refuge and bring God into the mix (Me & Thee chairs) and it can become a sacred place in the early morning light. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. (Psalm 63:2)

 Firelight to provide warmth when the temps dipped to 55°.

The mountain valleys team with beautiful evidence of God's creation. Sheep. Horses. Even cows in a front yard.  

He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. (Psalm 147:8)

Fading evening light of the Smoky's as viewed from Catalooche Ranch. 

A Cuppa My T Leaf Ginger Twist tea for those twisty mountain roads. 

In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. (Psalm 95:4)

Sunset seen from atop "Little Hogback Mountain."In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. (Psalm 95:4)