ABIDE! A WAY OF WISDOM!!

Believers desiring to know God more deeply realize the need to turn to Scripture. For me, it also includes studying with other believers. 

Bible Study w/ others---A Way of Wisdom! Studying & Sharing together!

Allen Bible Church, Allen, TX

I don't remember the lady's name but she lived in a 2 story house on Park Ave. in Memphis, with a curved drive way in the front. Not my 1st Bible study but one that emphasized "abide" as a relationship key. Remaining in Him and loving one another! Abide and love are key words in John 15:1-17.

Our abiding relationship with God and other believers (fellowship) helps us to abound more! A shared joy!

It gives rhythm and "full joy" to our lives with Him and each other! (v.11)

ABIDE! REPEAT!

STAY! STAY!! STAY CONNECTED!!!

WOW=WORDS OF WISDOM!

WOW! Words Of Wisdom.

Wisdom. "My One Word" for 2025!

True wisdom is found in God's Word! 

(Romans 12:11 (NRSVA)

Versions might vary but can help broaden understanding;

Do not lag in zeal, In diligence, not slothful (ASV), Don't hesitate to be enthusiastic (CEB), Never give up (CEV) do not be lazy (ICB), Never flag in zeal (RSV) do not lagging in zeal; (TLV) not slow in business (WYC)

be ardent in spirit, fervent in spirit (ASV), be on fire in the Spirit (CEB), Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit (CEV), but work hard, (ICB) be aglow with the Spirit (RSV) be fervent in spirit, (TLV) fervent in spirit (WYC)

serve the Lord. serving the Lord; (ASV), as you serve the Lord! (CEB) serve the Lord with all your heart. (ICB) serve the Lord. (RSV) Keep serving the Lord. (TLV) serving to the Lord, (WYC)

In the final portion of the verse, regardless of the versions (American Standard Version, Common English Bible, International Children's Bible, New Revised Standard Version Anglican, Revised Standard Version, Tree of Life Version a Messianic Jewish translation, Wycliffe Bible) and varying  punctuation, Lord is always included and written with a capital L!

Written Wisdom. The Lord is the One to always serve!

MORNING--NOON--EVENING--NIGHT!

MORNING---What a great way to begin "my" day!

6:50 am wake-up.....because it is Saturday!

Serve one another humbly in love, (Galatians 5:13)

Be ye kind one to another, (Ephesians 4:32)

Set your minds on things above. (Colossians 3:2)

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Today my day will also start soon after with some of BB's yummy blueberry lemon poundcake with a candle in the middle.Hmmm! YUMMY! I could lick off the glaze after I blow out "my" candle! 

Calls. Cards. Texts. Emails, Gifts. 

Noontime lunch w/ hubby @ small place with outside patio and yummy spaghetti! (my fave) followed by more of BB's cake!! I did "share" a bit!

Some call it supper, others say dinner! I call it dessert on the porch with cake!!! I shared a bit with hubby and with grandson, Owen. He knew what was in store. After all she is "his" BB!

Nighttime. Lights out.....so no-one sees me taking a last serving of "my" cake!

Sunrise to sunset it was a glorious September 13!

INSPIRATIONAL READ!

Inspirational read!

Ever read a book that kept complaining at bay!?

Hope by the time I have finished the entire book, I will have set aside discontent, grumbling, murmuring and all complaining. 

No "kvetching" as Longreen Jewish neighbors, Brenda and Michelle would say. That present participle of persistent complaining doesn't need to be present in my life!

Inspirational read! The story of a 67 year old great-grandmother who was the  who was the first female to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone. She who could sleep, without a sleeping bag on the ground tucked into leaves (I would prefer a good mattress and ironed pillowcases) and awake to shake a field mouse out of her hair and eat breakfast picked from surrounding berry bushes. Hers was a story of triumph from pain and hope from suffering and that was life before she began her walk. 

Her walks were more than a "walkabout Wednesday' as she ended up "putting one foot in front of the other--five million times (Grandma Gatewood's Walk, p.253) usually with a smile on her face.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, (ESV)

Do all things without complaining and disputing, (NKJV, emphasis mine)

Emma Gatewood did and her actions ended up saving the Appalachian Trail. (AT)

AMEN TRUTH BEING TAUGHT!

"A picture can be worth a thousand words" is an idiom that suggests actually seeing an object or event is more helpful for learning than hearing descriptive language. 

Think visualization over verbal.

As an "English as a second language instructor" on a short term mission trip learned, a "combo of words and pictures" can speak volumes.Amen!

Visual reminders to help one recall the gospel message. So Be It!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, ESV)

SATURDAY SALVE!

A Saturday salve to soothe the soul.

A timely surprise! A kind, tenderhearted gift. (Ephesians 4:32a)

Easily seen from my prayer chair! .

Beautiful from any view!

A smiling bouquet!

A remedy. Think offering sustaining strength as I pray for others! 

Soul soothing!

FELLOWSHIP HERE & ABROAD!

Fellowship Focus---Whatever the Bible version, v19 uses many different words to describe believers and many aspects of fellowship shared by believers of Jesus Christ regardless of nationality or Christian affiliation. 

Photo from Cornerstone House, Hungary 1997

Koszikla = Hungarian for Cornerstone

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (EPHESIANS 2:19-22, NIV)

• God's people--members of his household (NIV)
• Fellow citizens with the saints (ESV)
• No more strangers and sojourners (ASV) 
• No longer strangers and foreigners (ISV)
• No longer called outcasts and wanderers (The Voice)

Fellowship is built on Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone, (NIV), with the cornerstone being Yeshua the Messiah himself (CJB).

*Searches in many of the 100 versions and a few of 50 languages at BibleGateway.com enriched my understanding of God's people and Jesus Christ as the cornerstone for believers.

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES!

Of all my blog entries through the years, this is right at the top of the list for blessing a grandmother's heart. 

"Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Think words....prayerful words from a first-grader.

Just click below to see & hear.....

@ goodgollygal

......a prayer that shares a first-grader's version of John 3:16 to be heaven-bound, and thankful for dinosaurs, parents and his sibling as he hopes God has a good week. 

His words greatly blessed my heart; I hope they blessed yours.

*Thx to John McCormick of reminding me "out of the mouth of babes" label..

KEY TO PERSEVERANCE!

Moving! Think to another location.

Uprooting and relocation are easier for some than for others.

I am one of the others! Many in the last season of life might say that.

But God....in His love and mercy can provide grace needed for any of our uprooted moments when relocating. He has given us Himself!

Allow Him to change your new address into a "grace place" of refuge.

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come. 

(Psalm 71:3, ESV)

Truth in His word provides refuge......the key to perseverance!

WISDOM

Life in the mountains continues to require strength......

often more than I have. When legs are weak, I need to focus on His strength! When the weather is too hot, I need to sit in the cool breeze and be still. Take heart....(Psalm 31:2)! Take heart....(John 16:33)

Allow boundaries to be blessings.

Simple wisdom. 

God's Word = valuable source of wisdom...a treasure trove of inspiration. 

Wise Words to Wise Actions.

Be a Wisdom Walker. 

Share intentionally. 

Maybe Miss Ruth on the Deep Creek trail heard my heart as I heard hers.