Waiting on God

11/30/13  

How does one die gracefully? If I’ve learned anything these last 2 1/2 weeks, I've learned that one who lives a grace-filled life, is able to approach death in the same manner.

Sweet friend, Claudia, had been “terminal” for over two years while defying all the medical odds and passing two life-expectancy time-lines. But, since November 13, many of us watched her live a graceful life within her most recent given time-line----two weeks to two months. 

A life full of grace. A life full of blessings to others. A life full of encouragement. A prayerful life. A thankful life.

Her heart and her mind full of grace and gratitude---living spiritually to the fullest while waiting for God.

Her wait may be over.....but not the impact of her life. 

11/20/13 Photo courtesy of Ellen of Jones Clinic

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2013!

11/28/13 So much to be thankful for---family all together, a rare occurrence.
Unbelievable food. "Adult kids" did all the cooking & table setting, under the tutelage of Josh & Megan----even pushing me out of the kitchen with the command, "just enjoy your grandchildren!" A command with a reward!

Love & gratitude to all our family and friends ! 

An "attempt" at a group picture at the end of the day....

Lucy wouldn't get in the picture, but she liked her Elmo hat.

Psalm 145:1-7---Our scripture reading before we asked our blessing.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Play Day with Play Clay

11/27/13 Stage set----great fun, great pix with grandparents while parents were at lunch at Mi Cocina.

Thankful Meditation

11/25/11 John Parker's (5) placemat provided the perfect verse for "Meditation Monday and throughout this Thanksgiving week.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: CELEBRATION OF FAITH

11/24/13 Dallas Bible Church celebrated 25 years of ministry today, It was son Buddy's church during his Dallas Theological Seminary days and beyond. He served in several areas of ministry; Young Adults pastor; preaching team; mission trips leader, as well as being ordained into the ministry by Dallas Bible. Ten years later, DBC sent Buddy and a team to launch Allen Bible Church with him as the lead pastor.

Today, as part of the continuing celebration, Buddy preached on "Looking Back to Move Forward." Couldn't begin to list all my notes from 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Just know that this "proud mom" sitting with the congregation "puddled"----especially as the songs chosen (by said son, I later found out) "Come Thou Fount" (my fave hymn) and "10,000 Reasons" (my fave praise song) were song. I was a mess.

A few "pithy with a punch" asides stayed with me: 

• Paces and faces of a church might change but NOT it's mission.
• A call to lead begins with a call to serve. (John 17: 4, 6) 
• In this world there are those who bring donuts and those who don't bring donuts but complain if there aren't any. Be a bring the donut kind of guy. 
• "You can impress people from a distance but you can only impact them up close (Howard Hendricks, DTS) 
• Legacy in the spiritual realm = you can only leave what you live

Good singing. Good sermon. Great celebration!

Saturday Snippet # 6: Life Questions

11/23/13 Questions to provoke thinking....

Where does one get strength to continue on in life?

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit strengthens our inner man, enlightens the eyes of our heart and, makes our body healthy. The Lord delights in flooding every nerve, capillary, and cell of our body with His might. (Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man, Vol. III part 10, Chapter 3)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
 Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:8)

BOYS! BOYS!! BOYS!!!

11/22/13 What the world needs is more godly men. Tonight we had a house full of potential! Caleb celebrated his 8th birthday with a sleepover. 

Hooray for game room floors & a good Monster U movie to bed down the troops---2 younger brothers were already asleep out of camera range.

Psalm 127:3-5  Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! (Buddy & Day have 5 boys.)

Psalm 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, And the glory of sons is their fathers.

Glory streams from heaven afar.....

11/21/13 Glory streams from heaven afar.....today seems more than lyrics from a Christmas carol----Some days heaven seems closer than normal

as we behold the glory of the Lord in the lives of others.

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3)

Ask yourself, Do others see God's glory in my life? 

When the Lord raises my friend Claudia's head as she comes out of some dark gray days, those around her know that she will once again speak of the glory of God and His goodness.

Declare His glory among the nations, 

His marvelous works among all peoples. (1 Chronicles 16:24)

ETERNAL HOPE

11/18/13 Life is full of struggles. There are many kinds of struggles.

What can one say to one in the midst of a struggle? 

Hope is the answer. Hope for a better tomorrow. 

Hope promotes the desire for a positive future, regardless of the circumstances of the day.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5) 

 That hope is eternal. Eternity with the One who is our “Hope!”

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Nativity

11/17/13 Nativity definition, per on-line dictionary---

Birth, especially the place, conditions, or circumstances of being born. Certainly for a Christian, the place is a stable in less that perfect conditions and the circumstances necessary to fulfill the Messianic words of Isaiah, Micah, Malachi and other prophets.

This year's Vesta Home show at St. James Place (off of Forest Hill Irene) had several homes with nativities as part of their holiday decorations. A great start to the Christmas season.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING: ADDENDUM

11/15/13 PM 

Yesterday ended with prayers of thanksgiving as I sat in Claudia's new room praising the Lord for the only possible answer to an impossible situation---Him. I still don't know the answers to "how" but I do know the One who is the Answer.

Claudia's transport had not even arrived at the beautiful new, serene setting and wouldn't arrive until sometime after 10 pm. I began praying and thanking, and thanking and praying. Praise and Prayers all jumbled up together. The tears began to flow.

I had not cried since Dr. Mullins gave the prognosis, but I wept. Tears of relief. Tears of thanks. 

Tears of joy at seeing God's hand being shown in such a powerful way.

11/116/13 Today, Claudia told me that yesterday "someone from Baptist" came in with a form and said, "You've been accepted. They have a bed. An ambulance will be here to pick you up.

The form was blank. The ball was rolling but.....she didn't know how.

I don't have to know "how" or "why"----I just know Who!

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

11/15/13 Standing at foot of dear friend, Claudia's, bed last night and surrounded by her family, I heard her prayers of thanksgiving for her day. To an outside viewer such an observation would not have matched hers. But God ....continues to use Claudia to show His sufficiency to others, even in the midst of HARD circumstances.

When I arrived this morning, the doc had just left and her start to the day had not been exactly auspicious----BUT as I was kneeling down to untangle IV cords for a bathroom trek, she began....."Dotsy, since you're already kneeling let's start the day thanking God for this day before us----before we do anything. Let's focus on Him."

He is the God of the impossible---so I, too, thank Him for all that He will do this day----for without HIm, it could certainly loom as impossible. 

Taken at Vesta Home Show '13 which I had shown to CP last night

Beginning one's day and ending one's day with prayers of Thanksgiving......shows the faith of a believer in relationship with the One who is always faithful. What a testimony to behold.

GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY

11/14/13 Okay, so I'm a PROUD mama but I've seen Molly's incredible lifestyle shots. Especially those with children and even pets. Two groups that are hard to corral.

Brooks Museum of Art is featuring her in a workshop this Saturday. Great info on their newsletter.

Just click here for info! 

http://rebrooksblog.com/2013/11/12/four-people-who-should-take-the-slr-workshop/#more-6340

By golly, it's gonna be GOOD!

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

11/12/13 Though fall was recognized officially on our calendars seven weeks ago, recent temps felt like summer was still holding its breath, not completely giving over to those cooler temps of autumn. But...oh my goodness, this morning it felt as if both summer and fall joined in a collective inhalation of any warmth that was left in our atmosphere. A resulting exhalation of cold, gusty breath took our portion of the mid-South right into winter temps.

United States Army, est. 1775. Daddy served under that flag in WWII.

I noticed because I was trying to take a picture outside* on this gusty day. A day that moved from  a"freeze watch" to "hard freeze warning" in a matter of hours. Uncomfortable? Somewhat.
Earlier on my errand runs,  I noticed I was sliding into the "complaint" mode, along with many folks around me. I even like the fact that I live in an area that actually has seasonal changes, so what would be my complaint? Is complaint contagious?

But God....reminded me of I Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks..." How dare me (or anyone) to take umbrage at a drop in temps, seeing it as unjust if it inconveniences us and our comfort. Imagine how such carping would be viewed in the Philippines. 

A thankful heart. A grateful spirit. A change of attitude.

Would gratitude be equally contagious? Why can't it start with me?

War and Peace

11/11/13

11th hour of 11th day of 11th month---Armistice Day in 1918

I didn't remember that....but I do remember Veterans Day. How grateful I am for those who have served our country well while protecting our freedom, which I, for one, don't ever want to take for granted.

I desire peace among nations but have also seen, at times, the necessity of war during such times to afford Americans that peace. 

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 8)

Remembering and thankful, for the vets throughout my life.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "Pick-me-ups"

11/10/13 Words of encouragement. Prayers. Flowers.  Food. E-mails. Slug mail. Phone calls. Doorstep delights. Pleasant, gentle stories. All positives during a somewhat difficult week. Aren't friends and family the best for keeping us "lifted" and on-track!!!

But encourage one another daily...(Hebrews 3:13)

Ashley Bryan's newest book arrived at my doorstep---enough to share. Thanks, Ashley!

Flowers w/berries and I love berries! Plus, a basket of books---"Be still my heart!"

Katherine's bran muffins, all the way from Atlanta, with a cuppa! Doesn't get any better than that!

Card from my caring & loving HHS lunch bunch!

2 evenings of experiencing the gentle "warmth of homespun tales" spun by the BEST  in the business,  Donald Davis.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS #5

11/9/13 

A Snippet---similar to a text--pithy. Hopefully, pithy with a punch!

To experience God’s sufficiency, we must realize our own insufficiency.

Trust the All Sufficient One for "sufficiency" for all of life's needs.

Abundant life of vitality comes from union with Him. "Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee;" Psalm 73:26

When we walk with the Lord, there comes a new vitality, a superabundance of life. ... because he lives within them, they have the riches of the superabundant life. (John 10:10)

Do you have life?

It is only when one lives with the Lord that life becomes really worth living and one begins to "live" in the real sense of the word.

A.P.B.

11/8/13 A.P.B. If there are any teenagers reading this blog or hip grannies, then the assumption might be that this is an xBox 360 game. Or, if you're of the medicare card-holding generation, you might hear the Dragnet theme in your head as you recall an All Points Bulletin that came thru their black and white squad car radios. "An APB for a white male, 5' 10, with brown hair and black glasses."

None of those are my acronym of choice.

Yesterday was out-patient surgery day for me. Not exactly an event one look's forward to---at least not this one who never relishes being put to sleep. Such an out of my control type event. Plus, it usually makes me "fro-up" as Andrew used to say.
But God....in His love and mercy sent prayers....in particular, prayers about the nurses and doc who would attend me. Prayers prayed aloud over the phone, around breakfast table, in hubby's hug and in JoLynn's car-----all preceded by a (11/4) prayer from "across the pond" (Aggie in France) that read....I pray He leaves you His calling cards all over the place to make it exaggeratingly obvious!! :-)

So....when a masked nurse, comes down the hallway saying my name and removes said mask to reveal Barbara Cook, a long time church friend, who has even been in my small group at Heart to Heart Bible Study throughout the years, I knew those prayers for me had been answered.

Just to see her there brought comfort. But when she announced that she would be my "attending" nurse......well, that was my APB.
An exaggeratingly obvious calling card from the Lord................an Answered Prayer Bulletin!

The "REST" of the story.....

11//6/13  The Disciplines of Rest....Solitude. Silence. Listening. Meditation, Simplicity.

A lesson taught by me 11/5/13.

Posting those notes, as planned, without everyone's individual email addresses, is beyond me technically-----at the moment.

But.....until I figure it out, this recording of the teaching is a clic away and I actually read the outline, definitions, etc. At least that way you can stop and write and rewind. Just click the link below....

http://firstevan.org/media#!/swx/pp/media_archives/127169/episode/44441?play=1

until I figure out my tech glitch----called my mind---and then I'll provide the "rest of the story" of God's Gift of Rest.

FEEDING ON GOD'S WORD

11/4/13 To be fully healthy and live a life of abundant vitality, physical ingestion is only one part of our feeding. Spiritual nourishment is also necessary. Feeding on Gods's Word.

Photo by son-in-law, Corey whose Quiet Time allowed for feeding His soul.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

The original Hebrew translation from Deuteronomy 8:3 reads (I hope)

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ אֶ֤רֶץ חִטָּה֙ וּשְׂעֹרָ֔ה וְגֶ֥פֶן וּתְאֵנָ֖ה וְרִמֹּ֑ון אֶֽרֶץ־זֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶן

That's for dear friends Michelle and Brenda to think on this week.

"Blue skies.....

11/3/13....nothing but blue skies." Even if there are dark and gray storms going on in your life, blue skies can be chosen as the "color" of your heart. Color your heart with hope. I know that it's easier to walk with the Lord and trust in His goodness without understanding all the "goings on" than to go it alone and try to figure things out for myself. This week just look up and enjoy the blueness that the Creator has used. Blue Skies.

"Indigo" evening

Morning Time of "Light Sky Blue"

"Deep Sky Blue" at Church Time 

"Cornflower Blue" of Noon Time 

If a camera doesn't reveal those "Alice Blue" skies, then focus on the radiance of God's "leaf" handiwork, as son-in-law, Corey captured.

"I'm late. I'm late......"

11/2/13 "I'm late. I'm late for a very important date......" said the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. A storybook rabbit who understood that "time is of the essence." Alice chased him thinking that the very important date must be a party.

Lateness seems to be the character trait of many. Excuses vary but usually have a commonality...running out of time.

Well tomorrow all of us get an extra hour in our daylight. Some will sleep through it, some will overwork in it and some will miss the opportunity completely because they forgot about the Day Light Savings time "fall back" instructions. 

"Time is the Measure of Life Itself" was the intro Donna Taylor wrote in her monthly newsletter. I paraphrased some valuable "time-life" snippets I gleaned from her:

• Time is God's gift and should not be wasted. (Ephesians 5:16)
• Busyness that robs us of time....can rob us of important things left undone because we ran out of time.
• Twice a year when we adjust our clocks and watches for DST, maybe we should check our inner clock and see if it needs adjusting.

Evaluating our time usage my keep us from being late for important events. I dare not run in to church in the morning saying, "I'm late, I'm late......" because it's important not to give up meeting together...so we can encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:25) 

**Fun pictures that just appeared in my email---so 

"timely" and adorable that I just had to share them!

• 
  

  

  Lucy, our own Alice in Wonderland

  

   A very important event---experiencing the Sweet Rewards of learning to say "Trick of Treat" at local businesses 

UNRECOGNIZABLE

11/1/13 Unrecognizable.....at least to most folks. When the masks are on, people don't knew what really lies underneath. Masks can make one feel safe. 

Only when the masks are removed can the "real" person be seen. So why is it so hard sometimes to take off the masks, especially in Christian circles. Inferiority. Shame. Fear.

Yet to those who truly know and accept them, warts and all, the person underneath those layers is visible and loved, regardless. Masked or unmasked.

God loves all His children in that way, even when our potential for goodness is unrecognizable by others. Masked or unmasked---just loved.

5 little (& not so little) Texans, recognized and loved by this grandmother.