GARDEN GUEST?

Garden Guest? Garden Pest?

Look closely to see the web.* 

To an arachnophobic, a spider would be a most unwelcome guest.

For a botanist or horticulturist, a spider could be a desired guest. 

I would welcome them, outside, because they eat mosquitos, fleas, cockroaches, flies and even earwigs, whatever they are. My Master Gardener neighbor, Lynda T. would probably love them as the earwigs' reputation of "janitor of the garden" precedes them. I would not know one if I saw it.

There is one spider I would not welcome......a black widow spider. A black widow, the most venomous spider in N. America with venom about 15 times stronger than the venom of a rattlesnake. Its venom attacks one's nerves.

The good news is, a black widow spider is very identifiable.

Note the red hour-glass mark on the abdomen. 

So grateful for the obvious identification that warns us to stay away.

Lately, I've needed clearly marked warnings of things I need to stay clear of to keep safe in today's world. I don't want to be cynical, but often one's naivety has them wandering into trouble. Preying on seniors comes to mind. We had to change our credit card #. Hacking into medical practices records has also happened recently.

But God..... in his love and mercy is always near. So...."when my anxious thoughts multiply within me, His consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19) Then I go next door and sit in my neighbor's garden, a sanctuary in which to observe a spider that does me good, not harm.

*Photo by Lynda Terry. She must have learned the tricks of the trade from her late husband, Art, who was an amazing professional photographer! Think JFK's son, John-John, saluting his father's casket as it passed by him.Yep, that was Art's work!

A-MAZE-ING!

Memphis has received bad press lately---

going beyond the local and state level to national & world news.

But.....the September/October 2022 4MEMPHIS Memphis, delivered to my driveway, reminded me once again, 

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city 

in which I have placed you. (Jeremiah 29:7)

The same day, the nightly news shared another reminder! The Halloween maze will open once again but without the planting of corn in a design. A robot will now do all the work!

That was not the best reminder. The best reminder.....

....to me was recalling Acts 17:26. It was God who made all the nations ....to inhabit the whole earth, marking out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their dwelling place. (paraphrase & emphasis, mine) ESV verse 27 states God's purpose for those boundaries, "so that they should seek, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet, he actually is not far from each one of us." (Though it might sound like me, even "actually" is ESV, not mine)

4MEMPHIS publisher Jim Walker's comment said it well, "....brokenness is their inspiration to bear fruit by loving their fellow Memphians. (p.26) 

The A-MAZE-ING truth is that God is near me right here in Memphis; He has me here for a purpose, regardless of scary reports from Nightly News. (Psalm 34:18)

UNITY!!

You. Me! We!! Thee!!!---the BEST UNITY!

Fellowship is fun! Fellowship is more than fun!

Fellowship is the blending of thoughts words and actions as we live together in the Truth w know!

Fellowship is a solidarity of like-minded, yet uniquely gifted, believers  as we align our hearts with God the Father through Jesus his son and his Spirit within each of us.

You. Me! We!! Thee!!!---the BEST UNITY!

TUESDAY'S TICKLES

We've all heard the old adage, laughter is good for the soul. Even in Scripture there is a time for laughter. 

Ecclesiastes 8:15 commends mirth. After weeks of both mourning and celebrating eternal rest of friends, I needed not only a smile to be a curve that sets things aright, but outright laughter. 

Much laughter was delivered right to my home on a previous Tuesday.

LANGUAGE OF GRACE!

Is the language of grace a foreign language to you? 

Regardless of the translation, it is a much needed language of life for a Christian.

Grace-based. Grace-laced. Full of Grace.

Sing with me now.

Grace, Grace, God's Grace. Grace that is greater than all our sins 

Speak grace. How? Christ's example---That answer is found in God's word..

*THOTS: three types of grace: prevenient grace, which is God's active presence in people's lives before they even sense the divine at work in their lives; justifying grace, through which all sins are forgiven by God; and sanctifying grace, which allows people to grow in their ability to live like Jesus.

His Grace Is Sufficient for Every Need! 

• 2 Corinthians 12:9. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ...
• 1 Corinthians 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. ...
• 1 Peter 4:10. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
• 1 Peter 5:10. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself r2 Timothyestore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

His Grace Is Sufficient for Every Need! 

"Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.? (2 Timothy 1:2b)

*THOTS--Trusting Him On This Subject

FALL WALK-A BOUT!

Fall began for us last night at 9:04 pm CDT.

So grateful for God's creation of seasons,...."seedtime and harvest, cold and heat" especially in the area where I live. (Genesis 8:22) A move from petal peeping to leaf peeping.

Today is the first time temps have dropped in weeks enough to take a "cool" morning walk. A glorious time in" my" neighborhood. (Acts 17:26)

Without a doubt gingko fall foliage is my favorite.....

.....one on the left is beginning its magnificent brilliance while the one on the right is just beginning. A great motivator to keep me walking daily. BTW, yesterday's USA 9/22/22- 6A, gave a map w/ dates for leaf peepers in all states to plan peak times for their fall foliage peeks.

Sometimes yard signs show support of coming and goings in which neighbors participate. Ride for Education. LeBonheur Children's Hospital. St. Jude.

This one was so timely---a great reminder that this weekend is the Pink Palace Crafts Fair. Hooray for 50 years of art, food and fun!

So many eye blessings on my walk means I'll share more in the coming days.

I conclude with "changing" door wreaths. I love Mimi's! A great reason to always walk down her street. 

Door wreaths are a reminder of the good ole South......and why I so  love my fall "neighborhood walk-a-bout!"

WORD PLAY!

Wordsmiths love word play. Word Play defined as the witty exploitation of the meanings and ambiguitites of words. A figurative (not literal) form of language---think poetic license in your writing.

WORD PLAY---wonderful to wonderfully. OK? Yes, but take away the ly --- 

0nly one L unless you want word play emphasis. Wonder-full!

 

In the arts, a "wonderful" creations fills our hearts with wonder, awe and appreciation:

Consider the intricacies of light and color that dance on a canvas by Monet. Wonder-full!

Think about Verdi's opera, Aida, often staged with live horses on set..

Wonder-full!

Contemplate your favorite light-as-a-feather French pastry...cream-filled and coated with just enough dark chocolate.

Wonder-full! (Woman of God Wonderfully Made, p.4)

But God's creations are more wonderful and awe inspiring than anything created by mankind. We, created by Him, are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

(Isaiah 43:1) But now says the LORD, he who created you....Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name, you are mine." (Woman, p.5)

Creator God is WONDER-FULL!

WORD PLAY at its best.

SERVICES OF WORSHIP FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II

From singing of phrases of scripture and the "Twenty Third Psalm" to family and attendees reciting together The Lord's Prayer, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest honoring the One True Majestic King, her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Truly services of WORSHIP!

"Love Divine All Love Excelling" at her funeral along with "All my Hope of God is Founded" at her committal service left no doubt of this stalwart's Christian's faith!

Though the Queen's piper played a lament, there was no lamenting.

There is rejoicing in heaven for one who knows the Triune God; the One who is the  Alpha and Omega with whom she will spend eternity!

A LIFE WELL LIVED!

The celebration of "Gran Marje's" life began with a picture posted by her granddaughter, Clare.

It continued in Sunday School as her son, Rad, shared a tribute to his mother. There were tears and hugs along with lots of Scripture and memories bringing much laughter! 

Marje was an elegant lady of grace....full of love for her Lord, her family, (80+ grands, great grands and great, great grands) her church friends, and anyone else the Lord brought across her path. All who knew her know Marje is not gone; she just went to be with the Lord---and of course her Chubby & Queen Elizabeth II along with many friends, family and family in the faith who predeceased her!

3 Truths Marje lived by and shared with family...

1. In everything give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. I have learned whatever state I'm in therewith to be content...for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11, 13)
3. And we know all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Together we shared a love of books and I still have many with her inscription as to why I would love each book!

Seeing her recently in Sunday School (she didn't miss a Sunday even as her maladies increased these past two months) she called me her "miracle girl."

She often called me that and it's a moniker I cherish as it meant she had prayed for me during some difficult times. 

Her prayers spread far and wide. Now she is face to face with the One who heard all her prayers!

Rad shared that as he was at her side as she drew her last two breaths, she smiled during both of them.

Such an example of a life well lived---'til her last breaths.

GRANDPARENTS' DAY!

Grandparents' Day! What a privilege! 

How many grandkids do you have you might ask. Well.....not all are mine by blood. All are mine in Spirit. 

James 1:27 has become a "lifesong" for orphans and widows. Regardless of the version in Scripture James 1:27, expresses  caring for orphans and widows in their troubles is pure and undefiled before God. 

A paraphrase says, "One of the purest and most undefiled demonstrations of the gospel is to move towards hard places and broken people, not away from them."

A daughter and a dear friend both do that. 

Sometimes I'm blessed to join the action. I received lots of treats!

 

Next time, I'll have to drive to North Carolina for a Grandparents' Day!