FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY!!

For most believers, every Sunday is a fellowship Sunday of sorts. Once or twice a year, our church gets together for BBQ, games and other activities on the grounds. Officially we "dub" this our "fellowship" Sunday, somewhat akin to dinner on the grounds of times gone by.

But, todays went beyond that! As I looked out over the sanctuary there was a sea of green!! Green in every spectrum. Even one of the young dads dedicating his infant son today wore green tennis shoes. Even Nancy, sweet friend in the faith, who was visiting with us today wore green as well!

Why green? One of the youngsters in our church is battling cancer, and as in similar cases, our congregation has stepped up to the plate! Unbeknownst to his parents, many in our "body" wore "Green for Griffin" whose young body has been invaded by leukemia. It was our way of saying to Griffin's family, We Got Your Back!" We're on your team!

So many scriptures whirred in my mind as we all prayed for this young man and his family. We are family---his family.

• So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10)
• Continue steadfastly in prayer,  (Colossians 4:12)
• ....pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
• Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
• How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
• May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (Romans 15:5)
• Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Unity Prevailed----baby dedications, responsive readings of scripture, spontaneous baptisms, prayers and WEARING GREEN---lots of it!

One in the Spirit----that's what we celebrated this "Fellowship Sunday!

INSPIRATIONAL!!

Congratulations my dear "humble" friend, Ashley Bryan, who is a finalist for the 2016 Kirkus Prize.

His latest book, Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life was nominated in the Literature for Young Readers Category. Click the title read all about it.

At 93,  Ashley continues to inspire everyone in the literary world. For me, Ashley's inspiration is very personal as he is one of the kindest people I have ever known!!

PITHY GRABBERS...............D-R-A-G ON!

"Pithy grabbers drag on" sounds like an oxymoron to me. I wanted to add a few more........so I

searched for  my "PG" file, ljj searched for her pithy file as well---- but to know avail. 

The good news is that some blog readers from here there and yon offered a few suggestions.

Most were along the lines of spiritual quotes. Now if my brain will just quit leaking so I can remember where I put them, this entry will be completed.

But......still dragging my feet----as I'm now looking for comments from others. Will return when I find them. 

Feel free to send me your own contributions anytime.

Pithy Grabbers

Succinct phrases that "grab" your attention have been dubbed by me as pithy grabbers----of which, I am a fan! No one knows that better than ljj who finally made a "pithy grabbers" file for our library.

When entertaining, Mother 's pithy grabber was, "a doily covers a multitude of sins" (think foibles/faux pas/mess) 

"My" Molly & I are always saying a doily covers a multitude of something__________.

Recently  she added "a vest is the doily of outerware as it covers a multitude of sin__________(think overeating) 

Religiously I assume that the Catholic doily-like head-coverings worn by women and the skullcap/yarmulke worn by Jewish men are an example of penitence as a way of "covering a multitude of sins" so that they can honor God.

Church Signs 

especially in the "South" 

often display thoughts that are....

pithy with a punch----

packing a lot of weight 

to remind others of "doing right!"

Sweet friend, Margie Hornor, is always adding to my "pithy" repertoire. She introduced me to arrow prayers.  Just those  two words indicate the forceful trajectory of said prayers----launched from earth and heading upward to God. 

Panic Prayers are similar (pithy plus alliterative, of which I am also a fan). Think URGENCY in all CAPS when there's no time for words. "HELP!" comes to mind

Recently Margie introduced me to "stinking thinking." Doesn't that just "reek" of negativity. 

The good news is, she gave a remedy for the stinking diagnosis---a grateful heart!

Dorm friend, Susan Featherston Coates, who knew me well suggested a pithy grabber for my tombstone---"just down for a quick nap." NOT only do fewer letters appeal to this "frugal fanny," but it lets the world know of my sleep patterns.

Nowadays, I'm rethinking that choice.

How's this for a tea aficionado?

"She ran out of tea." More a epithet than an epitaph....but it's a perfect final "pithy grabber" for me!

SEPTUAGENARIAN???

Septuagenerian---who knew??? Obviously Google did and........

......."baby" brother, Bobby. He informed me of that new personal age ID first thing this morning. 

He seems to derive a perverse sense of pleasure from reminding me, especially when I "move up" a decade ahead of him. Oh well, it sounds nicer than sexagenerian!
It's one of those family things that binds you together and I have 2 great brothers who I am bound to by old family jokes, memories and traditions. Sometimes things that only we understand. For that, I am grateful!

GRANDPARENTS DAY???

The morning newspaper ad announced it! 

National Grandparents Day! The first Sunday after Labor Day. 

Who knew? Obviously Hallmark does! Hallmark should know those privileged to have "grands" don't have to have one day set aside!! We celebrate that positional title at all times----moment by moment.

Grandparents are the ones who are blessed. 

Children's children are the crown of the aged....(Proverbs 17:6)

But.....today it was a great reminder to thank the Lord for all my grands! 

May the Lord bless you .......and may you live to see your children's children! (Psalm 128:5-6)

Grandparents Day----We don't need a day----We celebrate that privilege daily!

3 FUNERALS IN 3 DAYS

Life lessons can be learned anywhere, even in the midst of death!
Many different lessons I learned as I attended 3 funeral events, three days straight. Some lessons varied.
However, the one constant, in the lives honored, was  that of a godly life well lived.
A spiritual heritage!
Having heard eulogies and commendations from family members of the deceased, I understood their true legacy. Not just an "inheritance," which more often than not, is equated in financial terms.

I couldn't tell you anything about those "inheritances" they left to others, but I clearly saw the legacy their lives had imparted to each of their loved ones.

They hid God's word & deeds of faithfulness in their hearts and then shared them throughout their lives. That's the legacy they left, each in his own way.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

Their faithfulness has endured to all generations----at least their "generations" I have met and known. (Psalm 119:90; Psalm 145:4)

They left a legacy. So what's the one BIG life lesson from the 3 funerals?

One must a have a legacy in order to leave a legacy!

Summer of the Hummers

It's been said-----actually lots has been said---about aging and much of it isn't so wonderful.

However, speaking as one who is fast approaching the BIG 7-0, I don't miss those high-energy experiences of younger years. I just watch my "grands enjoy them.

As hubby ages, I've noticed that little things seem to mean more to him.. Sitting outside with his morning coffee is a real treat---even when it's too muggy for me, he'll turn on the fan and sit out there-----after he has made fresh "juice" for his" hummers."

Recently the antics of those hummingbirds have added to his delight. They must have called in friends on their migration route to stop here for "ever ready" sustenance. 

Early mornings they buzz above his head and he has even heard their small chirp. Nine swoop in and out for a sip or to chase off another hummingbird. There seems to be an "alpha-type" hummer. So hubby spread out the feeders and even bought a new feeder---of course he did. He's my "resident shopper!"

Also as  my "resident ornithologist" (when he's not being my "resident meterologist") he takes good care of his backyard birds, especially his hummingbirds! 

This summer, some might think he has taken it to an extreme. He will even call from work and ask me to check their feeders and to refill any empty ones.

Now he is hopeful that one will"drink" from his hand. Wild Birds Unlimited, who had sold him several feeders, recently gave him a small one to hold in his hand. Ever the optimist, this morning he went for the solo cup!!!

He waits with hope---enjoying his summer of hummers. 

Ah-h-h those little things in life that make one smile.

Gift Extraordinaire!

I have known my sweet friend Lilly longer than I have known my husband. Our friendship has spanned 50 years. In the early years we worked together.  She and her husband Fred signed for me to purchase a mattress "on time"----at $10 a month, I think. She (Fred's name was also on the invite) orchestrated a couple's bridal shower for hubby and me and both their girls were rice girls in our wedding. And.....the family introduced us to Deep Creek, even providing the tubes for tubing. It is #1 on list of favorite vacations by our family.
We've always stayed in touch. We share a love for "greens" and "Should Taste Good" multigrain chip/crackers. In more recent times, we've taken our "grands" to Deep Creek hauling the surviving 2 tubes and renting the rest. Our grandboys loved it too!

I've sat with Lilly when her husband was at the ER and later hospitialized. I even spoke at his funeral. I've visited her at several hospitals, in rehab, in two different nursing homes and most recently at her daughter's home.

Through the years she has brought me Easter goodies, scrapbook papers and handmade gifts---her paper-cutting skills are exceptional. She also made a special effort to come to "support" me when I spoke in church or at "He Cares." On two occasions when illness prevented her attendance, she allowed me to come ahead of time and "practice my speech" on her. Her approval always counts.

She has never lost her love for the Lord or her smile. He's the reason she keeps on smiling! Even her need for a walker hasn't overwhelmed her.

Today Lilly and her equally creative daughter, Melody, dropped by for a visit----what a treat!!!
At some point, Lilly must have put a "bug" in daughter Melody's ear that I had often admired her quilt creations. Which I had!!!

Voilà---here it is----"Sunday Drive," just for me. 
I love the stained glass window pattern! I love my lap quilt!  I love Lilly! I love Melody! I love Rachel! With Lilly it's a package deal!

How wise I was back in my college days to "listen" to Lilly and allow her to guide me. (Proverbs 13:20) 
I now attend the church which she has always attended and I thought was a little "weird" when she told me they didn't pass an offering plate.

Lilly has always been a kind, loving friend and now her daughters walk in her footsteps. (Proverbs 12:26 & Ephesians 4:32)

What a blessing!!

Relationships and a quilt--a gift that keeps on giving is truly a gift extraordinaire.

FIT BIT---Making a statement

This is just a "bit" of an entry concerning keeping fit---both physically and spiritually as one ages.

One way of making a statement while exercising is in your choice of gear---a bicycle helmet to cover your gray hair is a good start in the physical arena. It can protect one's other "gray matter" and double the fitness aspect when one's transportation mode to the gym is a bike.

Spiritually, a T-shirt can make a big statement as this fitness gent wore "scripture" and had several folks commenting and asking biblical related questions.

 I am....

• More than a conquerer (Romans 8:37) 
• clothed with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25) and... 
• God is for me (Romans 8:31) therefore... 
• I live without fear (Isaiah 41:10) 
• I am a child of God (1John 3:1) 
• He designed me (Psalm 119:73) for...
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

Whatever it takes to do one's "bit" to keep self and others "fit" both physically and spiritually is worth emulating. (Do I hear an A-men!)