SILVER CELEBRATION!

The "Silver Fox"...................

.....celebrates his silver birthday or 3x 25!

DECLARATIVE SIGNAGE

Declarative signage makes a declarative statement.

Lord give us all eyes to see "signs" which you have allowed to cross our paths!

I wonder if the car passing on the left of the Big M truck had eyes to see. Gospel message in a nutshell!

Each day we make choices----the narrow path where Jesus leads to discipleship and service .....or the wide path of pleasure and money which can easily lead to self-serving sin! This transport company/driver shared this truth visually. Hooray!

How about you? Do you live out gospel truth for others to see in your life? 

Our lives can be "declarative signage" for all to see as we make right choices.

Hmmm......maybe that becomes an imperative!

SNOWBALLS EVERYWHERE

Snowballs everywhere! Bushes, that is! It's 70º after all. 

My snowball (viburnums) bushes have a rich heritage and a circuitous journey.

They originally were propagated between family home places in Kentucky & Tennessee and back again---same Hooper/Davenport family generations just at different locations.

From this one plant have come snowball bushes at homes of extended family or friends in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee (4 towns) and Texas. A gift that keeps on giving.

Now I'll need to bring home some bluebonnets from Texas and see how they will bloom in Memphis....

......as part of a new floral family heritage tale. 

"Winter is past: ...........the flowers appear on the earth. (Song of Solomon 2: 11-12)

4/26 Morning text shared picture of this Batesville MS "heritage" snowball bush. How appropriate is the cross-shape as she is one of my ever faithful prayer warriors!

4/27 Morning text from Ellen in Walnut Grove/ St. Mary's area blessed me with another beautiful thriving "heritage" snowball bush photo.

4/27 PM text from "Alabama Ashlee" (before I even posted am one) thrilled my heart!

Both Mother and Mama Davenport are smiling down from heaven seeing their Hooper/Davenport/Adams/ Liles snowball bushes are continuing to spread joy!

4/28 Oh my, I received another snowball pic.... a Germantown "heritage" snowball that is showing signs of a cross formation! S & T must be using spiritual fertilizer.

4/29 This Texas snowball bush even comes with it's own Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog, Zeke. The owner is our older son, who is the great, great, great grandson of the original planter.

Addendum--2 years later in Apri 2024, after dying way back in 2023, this heritage snowball bush resurrected itself on Pleasant Run in Allen, TX. WooHoo!

Is this a "Battle of the Bushes"? 

In no way....this is a celebrations of Pa Hooper my great, great, grandfather on Mother's side born in the late 1800s in Hampton Station, KY. His daughter, my "Mama Davenport" was my spiritual mentor!

RACE TO EMBRACE

These days we all seem to be racing somewhere. 

Racing to and fro and getting nowhere.........Too often describes my race (unless exhaustion is a place).

Obviously my goal/destination needs to change. Does yours? 

We all need to race to Him. 

• Early in the morning as we first open our eyes. 
• In the middle of the day as we face struggles and disappointments. 
• As we close our eyes to sleep. 
• Even as we take our last breath.

He's waiting there , wherever we are----ready to embrace us. 

Race to the "new" realities he has for believers. A better reality.

"Withness." With Him. Regardless----as we run the race set before us by Him! 

A race marked out uniquely for each of us by the One who is always there to embrace us. (Hebrews 12:1)

RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants. 

(Psalm 116:15,NIV)

Ann Martin, Ashley Bryan, Caroline Price's daddy (DeweyHemphill), Charles McKnight, Dr. Louis Carter, Mary Ann Frazier,  Mary Minor's dad (John Walt).....a few of His servants, who made a deep impact on my life and will be spending their 1st Easter in their heavenly home. 

Allen bible Church 4/17/2022

For youth beginning their journey....How blessed it is when brethren/God's family dwell together in unity.

(1/17/2017) (11/24/2009) (4/23/2007) (12/24/2010) (9/15/2016)

Spiritual Birthdays

SATURDAY SCHEDULE!

Wherever I am Saturday always starts with prayer time. When in Texas much activity starts soon after. The family who prays together. Also family who plays together seems to have lots of fun together. (1John 4:12)

7 on 7  lower right grandson #0 is ready

Pic to follow of basketball  where grandson scored with back to the goal

3pm basketball scrimmage had "Coach Buddy" joining son #14 on court.

Also family who eats together always has tasty anecdotes to share and votes to take. 

Hands down.....Plano's Fish Shack hushpuppies are the BEST!

Gelato at Paciugo at the Village in Allen Texas is Yummy.....regardless of flavor. 

Not sure which flavor....Tastes are free! 

Regardless of the schedule, I give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS!

There are many reasons to celebrate each season especially in the Mid-South. We have a bit of all the seasons without too many extremes, until lately!

But God....in His Word tells us, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

Gof is with us in every season---not just those that are weather related. He is with us in every season of our life birth and death, feast and famine, war and peace. His Word helps us remember He is in control and working out every situation for our own good and His purposes. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Just a snapshot of one of my roadsides---it blesses my heart with my favorite color, favorite flower, esp those yellow tulips! As I drive by, I see them as "gifts from above." (James 1:17)

Springtime, that time of seeding and warmth just weeks after an ice storm and hours after tornado sirens blaring in our state helps us be of good cheer.

Lord may we continue to celebrate every season of life knowing that you are with us always. (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah; 41:10)

DANCE RULES

DANCE---these days it doesn't look like there are rules for many dances! Certainly some are more to my taste than others.

In many cultures and in my own life, dance can bring to mind praise and rejoicing. 

Even Steve Gaines, pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church, after mentioning "ain't no quiet side of heaven," (with an amended aside of proper PHD grammar) said in a "whisper",,,,,"even some Baptists might "dance a little" as they worship!" 

Hallelujah! Dance accompanying praise as an expression of worship especially for those with a longing soul for Jesus!

May we give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love....sacrifice thank offerings....with songs of joy. (Psalm 107:21-22).......and maybe even a tapping in our toes!

Regardless of how one expresses their worship, here or across the globe, God is pleased as we honor Him with our praise and rejoicing. Such worship is refreshing!

But God.....delights in us as we worship. 

He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:9, 21-22)

Fix my heart on my choreographer. He has the "rules" unique to my dance with Him.