GRAPPLING WITH GRACE

Do you grapple with grace? Not the refinement of movement grace but the acceptance of unmerited goodwill grace. God given grace. Grace one doesn't have to work for or earn but......accept. Susan D. my discipler/mentor saw in me a works-centered struggle, like in no other of her acquaintances. Why do I work so hard for approval from others or God's approval? From God, it's a free gift. 

Sarah Young's words describe Jesus' garment of grace as a robe of His righteousness with which He covers us from head to toe.  (Jesus Listens, January 24, p. 25) The robe's color is blood red. The ultimate free gift of salvation for those who accept it.

Is that kind of grace in your vocabulary? What is your native tongue? More importantly what is your spiritual language?

GRACE

Be fluent in the language of grace. In today's culture grace is somewhat of a foreign language. Grace is the antithesis of our self-centered expressions.....whether communicating through words, gestures or actions. Allow others to see and hear your language of grace! (2 Corinthians 8:7)

BRACE FOR GRACE as you wait expectantly to see God's hand at work in those hard places life sends.

EMBRACE GRACE.....at every place.

Draw near with confidence at His THRONE OF GRACE! (Hebrews 4:16)

GET GRACE TO EXTEND GRACE!

GRAB GRACE.....don't let it pass you by because of guilt. 

PROPEL GRACE to others. (Jim Fleming, 1/23/22)

EXCEL IN GRACE & GRAPPLE NO MORE!

SURPRISE!

What a surprise!

Story to follow.............thanks to Jamie S. reminder that I had yet to tell the story,

When I first met these two sisters they were in junior high (not called middle school in those days).

I came to know them because I worked with their mom, Lilly, in 1967 at the Memphis State Pre-School/Kindergarten. I don't think it was called Children's School at that point. She took me right under her wing as did her husband, Fred. I spent a lot of time at their house on Quince. They shared their church home, First Evan, with me in later years and shared money with me by signing for  my first $50 loan to buy a mattress for my new apartment. After approving my prospective husband, Lilly and Fred showered us with a "couples" wedding shower.....and shared their daughters, Melody and Rachel, to be rice girls at our 1969 wedding.......driving all the way to Kentucky to be there for us. After telling us about Deep Creek in Bryson City, NC, they shared their inner tubes so we shouldn't have to pay for them. We used them for years as that "frugal" tubing vacation was the favorite of our children thru the years---even winning out over Disney. So far it's been a loved trip of 8 of our 9 grands. # 9 gets to go this year. 

We worked together each fall for years at the Orgill show slapping together sandwiches and laughing over Mr. Pacho Rabbane and other shared adventures.

Both daughters became nurses and made their parents proud.We've kept up with these girls ever since. Most recently we shared Melody's 65th birthday, "pulled off without a hitch by sister Rachel. What an accomplishment that was! What a fun surprise with Mexican food, Melody's favorite, and lots of quilting stories, reminiscing & laughter!!

How very special is this family to me and hubby too.

 It's no surprise to anyone who knew the  Laughlins that they showed Christ to us in every way. 

We'll be forever grateful! 

MY CUP OF TEA

MY CUP OF TEA. A great idiom first used in Britain, of course. It's a an expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning.  If "My cup of tea" is representative of a negative it is preceded by not. As a positive "my cup of tea is indicative of one's preference, penchant, or propensity,

Of course when "not" precedes my cup of tea with a negative connotation, not my cup of tea seems a gentler way of expressing one's preference without the use of harsh or critical words.

MY CUPPA TEA---synonyms = affinity, choice/taste, druthers, orientation or preference,  

Even if something might not be your cup of tea, as a personal opinion , one can strive for unity over  any differences which are not areas of biblical perspicuity. Political parties. Pandemic protocol. Vaxx. Those are all negotiable.

• A gentle word turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs. 15:1) 
• Gentle words bring life and health.(not volume of one's voice or snide comments, DAL). perverseness breaks the spirit. (Proverbs. 15:4) 
• Gracious (kind) words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  (Proverbs. 16:24, NIV)

Get together for a cuppa tea and discuss your differing cups of tea....or just agree to disagree in love.

4 MEMPHIS!

I am always 4Memphis.  Memphis has been His choice for me for past 68 years!  

I also am 4Memphis during the pandemic....God determined Memphis during college days to this day as the boundaries of my dwelling place. (Acts 17:24-26) May I serve well where He has placed me even when others are fed up and disowning.

Jeremiah starts it all---at the top of every magazine issue of 4MEMPHIS  "From the Publisher" page of the magazine.

"Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City in which I have placed you." (Jeremiah 29:7)

Such a worthy read in every publication I have seen.

WIRED!

How are you wired? Are you wired for God's purpose specifically "Younique" to you? How will you know?

God's Word reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.....that He knows the plans He has for us and He will guide our steps. That's how He designed us for the purpose He has called  us to as His children. 

Call unto Him and he will answer and show you the great & mighty ways He has wired you!

HEART CONDITIONS

Heart problems---a diagnosis none of us like to hear. My cardiology appointment is the 25th of this month. Dr. Infeld, cardiologist, will deal with my physical condition.

What about the spiritual condition of one's heart! How does one "deal" with that?

Whole-hearted

Half-hearted

Cold-hearted

Heavy-hearted 

Ask.....where am I spiritually on the heart spectrum?????

Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, KJV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

No matter how you say it, assessment of one's heart condition is important and needs to begin with God and continue with encouragement & fellowship of friends.

RESOLVED!

Resolution to Reality.

In Christ alone.

I resolve to return and finish this entry before 20023.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE NEW YEAR'S DAY....

......of course, at our house, New Year's Day looks virtually the same every year. 

All the Christmas decorations are down---that's a Gigi rule. (Mother)

Familiar.........from prayer chair with new devotional guides. 

Starting with...

Rose Parade.....Theme: Dream. Believe. Achieve.

I dream this: Rise. Shine. Read.

I believe this.....Jesus Teaches!

Greens, Blacked-eyed Peas & Cornbread

Jesus Listens for morning prayer and evening gratitude journal, Dear God, today I am thankful for.

From beginning to end, it's the way New Year's day is in this traditional Southern household!

CUPPA GENEROSITY

Generosi-TEA! Let's start our last day in 2021 with that cuppa!

As we turn the corner to a New Year, lets turn from getting to giving!

Robert Morgan would punctuate the above sentence with a divine exclamation point! (All to Jesus, Day 365) 

Where do you find yourself? 

I have to give. GRUDGINGLY

I Need to give. UNDER EXTERNAL COMPULSION

I want to give. CHEERFUL, EAGER & READY TO GIVE

How is your spending trending?

A year in Paul David Tripp's, New Morning Mercies has kept me focused on More of Thee and less of me......aka give to others more than to self. "Give us the grace to look at ourselves in the mirror of God's word. Powerful redeeming grace to remove of our heart of stone and replace them with hears of flesh"----giving hearts. (New Morning Mercies, December 10)

TAKEAWAYS:

Give self first to God.

Generous Giving is rooted in the grace of God.

Generosity is about Spirit, not resources.

Donate to your church or favorite charity. Give your time to pray for others.

Keep sipping your cuppa generosity-TEA throughout the coming year!

UNFORGETTABLE!!

Remembering Dr. Louis Carter........who passed away yesterday, December 25, 2021

Five decades of service with wife Anne at his side, even in remote mission hospitals.

Founder of Plastic Surgery Group for Missionary and National Doctors

Co-editor of Principles of Reconstructive Surgery for Surgeons in Africa

Awards;

• McCallie School Alumnus Award, 
• Wheaton College Distinguished Humanitarian Award, 
• American College of Surgeons Surgical Humanitarian Award, 
• Christian Medical and Dental Society Educator of the Year, 
• Crichton College Doctor of Humane Letters,
• UT Medical School induction in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

What more could one say about Dr. Carter?

I say....."Dr. Carter saved my life as he blessed me and guided me through every step of my rare facial disfiguring cancer journey. He will forever be in my heart!"