Pastor Pace begins His sermons repeating Isaiah 40:8.....

"The grass withers,

........the flower fades"....

and the congregation in the pews (or on-line) finishes with....

"but the word of our God stands forever."

More than an opinion from a pundit but God's holy word to start my day with this morning as I look out my breakfast bar window at those examples of creation.

God has my attention; I hope He has yours.

'He who has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit says to the church. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the tone the noon knows except the one who receive it.' (Revelation 2:17)

Do I hear an AMEN!?

HOPE-SETTERS!

Hope----"My One Word" 2024.

By nature we are hope-setters—looking to someone or something to make things better and put things right. By our new-nature, however, we know “horses and chariots,”  cash reserves and government leaders, graceless religion and our best efforts cannot save us. Salvation rests on Jesus. Either Jesus is the Savior of the world, or we are helpless, hapless, and hopeless. (Scotty Smith, emphasis mine)

So on the 1st day of November, 2024, hubby and I were thrilled to affirm Christ's  tomb has never been more empty. His throne has never been more occupied. Our Lord Jesus Christ's return has never been more certain! 

How grateful we are as the sermon at Redeemer Church, PCA, in Sylva, NC reaffirmed our hope that morning as we continue to mourn the deaths of sweet God-fearing friends, Ellen and Dixie,

On our Father's love relying

Jesus ev-ry need supplying

Yes in living or in dying all must be well

Psalm 130 (From the Depths of Woe

Thx to RUF Rev. Andrew Shank who encouraged us in the "Lord's Day Worship" to "Wait on the King", and Scotty Smith for the faith affirming words for all hope-setters, who are going to the polls today as we trust in the name of the Lord our God and delight in His will! 

May His will be done today for the sake of His people all over the USA!

GIFT FROM THE HEART!

Little things can grab the heart in a big way!

"Jesus quiets our hearts with His love." (Zephaniah 3:17)

When a 6 year-old holds something behind his back and tells you to close your eyes, one knows something is about to happen. For me, yesterday, I was given the "Okay" to "open." There in his hand was a beautiful gift....followed by a big hug!

Gift from the heart! A dandelion, with a short stem, presented with a big smile and a request to put it in a vase. My heart was touched! 

An itty bitty slightly squashed dandelion gift that was sweet to my soul. God made it and a 6 year-old gave it. 

Praise be to God for this "heart gift."

"LEAVINGS"

The Oxford Language Dictionary (OLD) defines leavings as, "things that have been left as worthless." This morning, in God's creation economy, I experienced leftover, residue, remains of leaves as anything but worthless.

Think extension of His glory of creation. 

I am grateful the photo "caught" my feet in the glory of autumn leaves in the mountains! So much more than leftovers!

A reminder,  The steps of a good man/woman are ordered by the LORD: And He delighteth in them! (Psalm 37:23)

The heart of man plans his ways but the LORD directs his steps! (Proverbs 16:9)

Grateful for morning prayers when I asked the Lord to direct my steps as well as others before we even left our abodes today! 

No worthless "leavings," but steps ordered by Him to bring glory to Him as well as His creation!

KEEP GLOWING!

Keep glowing! (Romans 12:11)

"Why?".....you might ask.

So others might see the beauty of Jesus in you. 

How does one keep glowing?

Pastor Scotty Smith offers an answer. Allow the Lord to turn your whimpers and whines into wonder and worship! (11/1/24)

For me, I must keep reminding myself to keep glowing. Often that means having Scripture at hand (from our breakfast bar to the refrigerator door) as I begin my day. 

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.......(Romans 12:11, MSG)

The verse might start with a negative comparison, Don't burn out but the the result is a positive allowing you to keep fueled and aflame, aka keep glowing! 

People abounding in hope keep glowing! (Romans 15:13)

FAREWELL OCTOBER!

OCTOBER 2024..........A MONTH OF FIRSTS!

Our 1st month in a new state, 

town, 

street, 

home,

Darnell Farms

first teenage granddaughter,

new friend 

Halloween

FAREWELL!

AGLOW!

How does a gal lose her glow?

God's Word in Romans 12:11 reminds Christians to...........

Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. (RSV)

So many ways of saying allow your life to be a way others see the Lord.

Different versions of Scripture define "aglow" with different words and comparisons. Perfect words for my Wordsmith Wednesday to get me back on track. AGLOW!

Positives:

1. "Burning with the Spirit." (AMPC)
2. "Eagerly following the Holy Spirit." (CEV)
3. "Excited about your faith." (NIRV)
4. "Fervent in Spirit." (ESV)
5. "Fueled and aflame." (MSG)
6. "Showing your devotion." (NOG)
7. "Spiritual fervor." (NIV)

"7" ----complete....enough for today!

Maybe I need to walk outside to reclaim my"glow" in the Spirit.

Go to aglow!

MEDITATE AND MARINATE!

It is Monday! Meditation Monday!

Recently Pastor Scotty Smith added a new verb, think herb, to times of meditation. After this past week, it 's what I need.

His words. His power.

When one meditates, sometimes a little spice is needed, especially when one is aging and weary. Smith suggests "trusting the Lord with our fears and weaknesses.....especially as we meditate on His Word, marinate in the Gospel and keep your gaze tied on Jesus."

So....it's back to my prayer chair with gospel-icious meditation marinated with salt from the Psalms. (Psalm 71:18, Psalm 9:1, Psalm 40:5, Psalm 117:10, Psalm 96:3)

FRAGILE AND FRAIL!

Frail enough to fall. Weak enough to wobble. 

Without power says it all. But God in HIS transcendent power reminded me once again "THAT" power belongs only to Him NOT to me. It's only in this weakness and broken vessel of mine that I can find strength, in His all-surpassing power. As i've allowed Him to touch me in order to use me, just as I am, i received a big "touching" message.

A note from Ellen (1999) whose passing has "undone" me and yet I want to speak at her funeral-----to share her genuine goodness. How is that even possible?!

My answer..... "But God in His love and mercy" filled with His power gave me the words in Ellen's own hand writing,

"And thank you for always being there to encourage me to "dance." 

                           xoxo Ellen

May all that is within me praise His holy name as once again God allowed Ellen to bless me with her love and very own words!

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD!

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh, my help. 

My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven heaven and earth!