JOMC

Just One More Chapter!

Read it on Goldie's shirt as she reads sprawled on the porch!

Readers in S's prayer chair.

Readers on the floor in the bookstore.

Readers in the grass. 

Readers in a library. 

Readers old and young together, in NYC, no less.

Readers together in bed.

Reading. Reading. Everywhere.

Grandchildren after my own heart.

Just One More Chapter!

🎶MUSICAL PRAISE! 🎶

LYRICS LEADING TO PRAYER!! 

🎶I love you, Lord🎶 a short worship song written in 1978 has been my lead-in to my night-time prayers for family recently. When John Tagliarini, Music Director at BC FBC, led the choir in singing it during Sunday's Worship my spirits were lifted! Plus, the lyrics "sealed the deal" as a quiet prayer of praise for me to use repetitively (4x) in my God-pleasing personal worship.

(Laurie Klein, 1978)

In heartfelt declaration of love to the Father who sent His son, Jesus, to Him be the glory!

LESSONS FROM ELIJAH

Life Lessons are often learned in the struggles. People can see Christ in our up and down lives. Such was the truth for the times of Elijah.

His  name alone means, “My God is Yahweh.” He challenged Israel against worshipping false gods. "The Lord alone is God." 

Elijah was not perfect. Even after a great miracle on Mount Carmel, he became fearful and discouraged. Think human nature. 

A man just like us. 

Our lives should be congruent with the truth of God's word. 

Morals seen in Elijah's own life by those he served, taught obedience even in the hard times, to practice truth with courage, in the midst of fear and overwhelming circumstances. 

Trust God's provision and pray with persistence.

Not perfect but faithful.

 

..Elijah prayed, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”  

(1 Kings 18:21, 36-37)

In life, with all it's struggles, our actions should be in agreement/harmony with the entirety of Scripture.

Think congruity!

NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY!

National Friendship Day* (popular in the U.S.) is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of August, falling this year on August 2, 2026. 

What a great day to honor friends who are valued and loved.

Think supporters of love and joy in one's life.

Providers of gifts that keep on giving.

Think prayers and prayer reminders! 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

True Friendship = Fellowship of Friends in the LORD!

*A big thanks to Betsy M. from my FEC PRAYER for REVIVAL GROUP who sent me my quilt heart which I will be wearing again today. As the card says....

Friends are like old quilts--

Pieced together with time and love and

made stronger and more enduring with 

every stitch and piece.

Each one is a unique 

patchwork of memories,

backed with trust,

filled with shared experiences

and quilted with Joys and sorrows.

All are comforting, versatile and made more

Precious and beautiful with time.

(Romans 12:19-20)

GOOD SATURDAY MORNING..........

...........from grandson, Caleb!

His morning text woven with words of love and a picture of God's morning sunrise...... 

..........A beautiful way to begin my day!

A FINE FRIDAY FIND!

Growing up in a small town in KY, I learned the importance of access to a public library. Tall steps took me up to the large front door of the Carnegie Public Library,. Upon entry, a left turn would take me to the Nancy Drew books! 

How grateful I am to Andrew Carnegie, a generous philanthropist, for funding more than 2500 libraries and 7600 church organs......a man who provided both books and church organs all over the world.

These days, I'm in a new "book" place, under construction but not closing doors to books for patrons.

A book I found there today was a perfect "Friday Find" for me. It took me to a "time-gone-by" of the National Storytelling Festival. The anthology of short tales, many from the Appalachian area,  (Appalachia) not only speak to my heart but aid my need for shorter tales/manuscripts in my appreciation for the art of storytelling. Tales I have personally heard through the years by the individual tellers themselves.  

Donald Davis. Elizabeth Ellis. Bill Harley. Doc McConnell. Jay O'Callahan. Kathryn Windham. Jane Yolen.

A step-back that reignites my enthusiasm for the written word, even when reading is not quite as easy as it once was.

"In everything I give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

GRAND GRANDS!

Yesterday's entry shared words from my eldest grandchild. 

Words that blessed my heart.

Today mail from my youngest grandchild blessed my heart.

Her words blessed me as well. She even asked me to say hi to her cousin Jackfor me. 

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. (Proverbs 17:6)

Regardless of age, my "grand grands" bless my soul in many ways!

*BTW, Today is International Friendship Day---with several close friends to pray for, esp. KB!

WORTHY WORDS!

This past Sunday, I received worthy words..... from a grandson, no less.

WITHOUT COMPLAINT! 

A prepositional phrase that spoke volumes to me. Complaint, the object of the phrase, greatly needs the preposition "without" in my life......I need to modify dissatisfaction! 

In a concise manner, think remove! 

No bellyaches, cranky fusses, grumbles, gripes, grouching, moans or worries!

Words that led to conviction of fear but covered in love. 

FEAR NOT! The most used command in Scripture......with both a sense of belief and relief! God always has a plan. 

Think....God's got this! 

God's "words of grace" in a thin silence/low whisper came to Elijah (not in wind, earthquake or fire)

AMEN!

IDIOSYNCRATIC BEHAVIOR!

Idiosyncratic⁉

At least it sounds better than weird, grow up, or get real! 

Today is "CHOCOLATE DAY" FOR ME!

The above responses are a few comments I have received from folks, especially when I respond "no thanks, it's NOT a chocolate day" to their offer of a chocolate treat.

"My" Molly who knows (and accepts) my discipline limiting my chocolate intake with my propensity for chocolate told Hubby and me of The Smoky Bean, a new Bryson City bakery/coffee shop (+ hot tea) with delicious chocolate almond croissants! Of course, we had to try it. Quirky or not!

Hooray! An eatery/bakery opened on Tuesday---- a rarity here!

Eating outside overlooking the Tuckaseegee River was amazing as temps were still cool. Another plus was watching a tern on the rivers edge until he took flight with a sharp note. (aka kip)

A perfect fit for my "idiosyncratic" behavior and birder Hubby's view to look at the bird's to the air! (Matthew 6:26)

As I started this blog entry a bit late, I'm signing off! 

I only have 20 minutes to eat a bowl of Caramel Brownie Moose Tracks. (My Mayfield Premium Ice Cream choice, because I'm out of my favorite Mint Chocolate flavor)

"Idiosyncratic" behavior #2......I never eat any chocolate after 3pm. Such behavior might interrupt my sleep patterns! 

BUILDING HOPE!

🎶"My HOPE is built......

on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness! 

"In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

He is my hope and stay." (Edward Mote)🎶

...... and stand on Christ the Solid Rock.🎶

A positive earworm to begin the week!