MEASURING UP!

Measuring kids height on the side jambs of an upstairs door was a part of "growing up" at our house. These days it has extended to spouses and grands.

Often kids' friends would measure as well---some "cheating" to make them selves "taller." Years later these friends have brought their kids in to measure on the door & boast of their own measurement. Teddy. Tony. Katy. Stephanie.

What fun---especially when their own kids (Evan) see the discrepancy of height at the tippy-top of the side jamb compared to their true measure.Then they add their own measurements to compare to dad's "correct" one.

  

Measurements are a part of many aspects of life beyond physical to academic or career success, sports' prowess....even spiritual growth. What about righteousness? Could any of us measure up. 

NO is the answer. Paul David Tripp says it best.......Jesus has measured up on your behalf! (New Morning Mercies, January30)

LENS ON LIFE!

Paul David Tripp said it well. Prayer calls one to abandonment and submission. Abandonment of present day reality of self as the only "lens" perspective of life is too prevalent. Submission to Christ requires us to let go of "our" momentary agendas and to be committed to take up His view of eternal hope. 

God cares about our present life---with us, for us and in us.(New Morning Mercies, January 28)

What prepositions for life! But God....goes beyond. Lens that go beyond "the now" to see eternity. It's the "long view."

It's the view of life that opens a door beyond death. 

After four recent funerals, it's the "lens on life" in Christ, which brings hope! AMEN!

3 Rs OF OUR HEARRRT!

Renewed. Revived. Refreshed.

Great inner man descriptors both physical and or spiritual.

Even as one ages Lord, allow us to daily depend on you for strength, grace and courage to endure until we meet you face to face as Betsy so beautifully writes!

Renew. Revive. Refresh............our hearts until the end. 

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

Words from friends to lift one's spirit. Words one needs to hear.

A perfect card for today.............."Thankful Thursday." 

VALUE!

Others value true listening---not just waiting so they can jump in with their opinion or story.

Put on your listening ears, as your kindergarten teacher probably taught you. 

Pay Attention! 

Listen with grace-laced ears and heart. Value others more than self!

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (emphasis mine) 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

True VALUE---put others first. 

How do I know? "The Bible told me so."

HERE'S THE SCOOP!

Here's the scoop! Truths of scripture necessary to live a life of abundance.

Simple. Pure. Unique.  Created with loving, clean hands. 

Fresh daily. Served with love.

A 1 scoop            

                           I am God and there is no other. (Isaiah 46:9)

A 2 scooper       

                           I, the Lord do not change. (Malachi 3:6)  

                            I am God and there is no other. (Isaiah 46:9-20)  

A 3 scooper         

                           Love the LORD your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

                           I, the Lord do not change. (Malachi 3:6)  

                            I am God and there is no other. (Isaiah 46:9-20)  

A 4 scooper                 

                           Love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18)

                           Love the LORD your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

                           I, the Lord do not change. (Malachi 3:6)  

                            I am God and there is no other. (Isaiah 46:9-20)  

A 5 scooper          Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)          

                           Love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18)

                           Love the LORD your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

                           I, the Lord do not change. (Malachi 3:6)  

                            I am God and there is no other. (Isaiah 46:9-20)  

How many scoops for you today?

DANCE! DANCE AGAIN!! KEEP ON DANCING!!!

There's a background for this but until I clear the tears from my eyes see what these pics say to you. Having heard from an eulogy of a larger than life type person---full of grace, always ministering to others who had struggled at different times in life but God in his love and mercy had used those stumbles and struggles to comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) That was worth the pain. Hard times, medical scares, painful times, times of loss are always worth it when one can lead others to Jesus!

I have so stumbled in my own life!

But God has not given up on me. 

Perhaps, I don't need to give up on myself.....with His help!

Maybe that's just enough said.

DNA OF FAITH

Do you have a DNA in your faith? Is it recognizable in your life?

In other words.....What are the fundamental, distinctive characteristics that are unchangeable in your life of faith?

Foundational tenets of the Christian faith are the Triune God, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the son of God, who forgives sin that separates us from the Father and redeems us for his glory.

Above statement includes perspicuity of Scriptures for us to clearly understand. Inspiring. Inerrant. Sufficient.Grace-filled. 

What does life of faith look like when lived out? 

Full of grace? Peace? Kindness? Listening ears? Gratitude.

Does faith in one's life; love God first, love others as self, serve others well to His glory, and forgive others, encapsulate it?

DNA of the faithful includes, knowing "God is always with us" and gives confidence and trust to joyfully live a life of grace toward others. As Paul David Tripp states, "grace toward others grows best in the soil of gratitude." (New Morning Mercies, January 19)

TASTE OF WINTER!

Taste and See.

Taste and see that God is good..." in springtime and harvest, COLD and heat, summer and winter...."(Genesis 8:28) 

age 3

age 4

For everything there is a season. Some are able to enjoy the fun of winter more than others.

From New Yorkers in Massachusetts & Texans in Colorado to North Carolina--- fun on the faces of "kids, ages 40 & 50ish to 3, make me smile! 

I needed that today---a taste of family fun!

KEEP ON SINGING!

Keep on singing!?!? How does one do that in the midst of tragedy?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look fun in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace 

Refrain:
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow---It's what I'm finding in hymns of old as I pray for others. 

MORNING SONG!

"You hear me when I call. You are my morning song."

When the day seems gloomy and life seems hard.........

Start each day with a song in your heart. A song of praise.

Be filled with His goodness and lost in His love. 

(Blessed Assurance, Fanny Crosby)

May your amen be "God of the Angel Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle?" (Psalm 89:8)

HEART OF WORSHIP!

It's a new day dawning!

Daily I will worship you passionately

and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. 

I overflow with praise when I come before you, 

for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. 

You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul.

(Psalm 63:4-5, TPT; emphasis mine)

I'm coming back to the heart of worship.....

It's all about you---Jesus!

BLESS THE LORD!

The sun comes up it's a NEW day dawning! Let me sing!

As 4 yr. old Jack says, "The sun's awake so I'm awake!"

Can you see the cross in the sky? A great reminder that God's always awake!

God who  is rich in Love land has a kind heart. Bless the LORD!

But....the real question is.............will I still be singing when the evening comes?

The answer is? He is the answer! 

Bless the LORD!

AGOG....AGAIN!

Agog--is defined as very curious or eager to hear or see something---or maybe for others to see something in you!

This coming week I desire to see A Grip Of Grace in my life, not just day-by-day but moment-by-moment.

I want others to see God's grace in my life so clearly that it grips them---they too become joyful expectant for such a grip in their lives.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

God is able in all things at all times to bless us! 

We all need to stand AGOG as we "glimpse" &  "grip" this grace-filled" truth!

PRAYER POSITION OF THE HEART!

Prayer is more than words.

Prayer is a position of the heart!

A position with depth.

Well said, John Bunyan.

Enough said!

DANCE! DANCE!! DANCE!!!

Sometimes you just gotta dance!

Even if you're packing 100,000 food parcels? Yep!

Even if you're inside a church gym? Yep.

Is dance ever used in Scripture? Yep!

The young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. 

I will turn their mourning into gladness; 

I will give them comfort and joy instead of gladness. (Jeremiah 31:13)

Get moving. Gird yourself with gladness and DANCE! (Psalm 30:11) *

*This morning I heard Friday is "Happy Dance Day" on K-Love! Believers share God's goodness in their lives.  I say "FRI-YAY" to that.

PRAYER POSITIONS!

Be still---whether in your prayer place or in wide one spaces.

If you can't kneel physically, you can kneel in your heart.

If you can't bow your head because of neck pain, close your eyes and bow in your heart.

Prayer positions are inward. Positions of the heart.

PRAYER POSITIONS---A HOLY HUDDLE!

In 2015, Coach Joseph Kennedy of Bremerton high school lost his job after  kneeling post game on the 50 yard line in prayer. Some of his players and members of the community joined him. 

January 2, 2023, while playing in the Buffalo Bills'/Cincinnati Bengals game, Bills' player, Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a hit. After CPR and ambulance transport to an area hospital, the prayers started.....all over the field, in the stands and even aloud from the broadcast booth! At least from the lips of the 2 men...I never heard the word prayer from the "lady" commentator.

Prayers spilling way beyond the 50 yard line. 

The Bills met the Patriots in the play-off game in their on stadium on January 8, 2023. 

Gathering for pre-game prayer for teammate Hamlin 

and dedicate the game to him.

Notice the crosses under Hamlin's eyes.

What a way to start a game.....A holy huddle for sure!

AGOG...........

Are you agog with the Spirit?

Or....do others see you as a greedy ole geezer or a grumpy old gal?

Hopefully others get a Glimpse of God as they see your life?

A

Glimpse

Of

God

As Paul urges us in Ephesians 4, "walk in a manner worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness with patience, bearing with one another, in love."

Such a lifestyle enables Christians to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond f peace.

Maybe others will walk away with a new life as they are now AGOG with the Spirit after a Glimpse of God in your life.  

SUSTAIN UKRAINE!

Sustain Ukraine!

What a privilege---being on a team to pack 10,000 food parcels for a land and people whom I love dearly.

When the gong sounds we will go ---and keep going until the job of supplying 100,000 meals is complete.

LET'S GET PACKING & SUSTAIN UKRAINE!* (1 John 4:7-8)

*Note Ukrainians delivering previously delivered parcel to eastern Ukraine/front lines wear helmets and bullet proof vests!

ROSE PARADE

I love a parade. If we're going to be out of town, I record it. This year I forgot.

I didn't even want to leave our hotel room in Oklahoma yesterday just so I could see it. That would NOT happen...per my driver!

But.....when we arrived home, I found out the Tournament of Roses parade had not taken place on Sundays since 1893. WooHoo! 

Why? There was a fear of disturbing the horses--the preferred method of transportation used in attending churches back then! I love it, church trumps parades----even if the horses waiting outside is the stated reason.

The TOR Parade committee choose their own favorites some according to the year's theme, "Turn the Corner." I have mine as well, usually for personal reasons.

Cal Poly is always in my top 5---done by the students there.

This year Judge's award appealed to me because I thought how much children would love to see all those petals turned into jungle animals from the scary to the beautiful toucans and macaws. Hubby, too, would love all the birds.

I love the beauty of giraffes and they enhanced this Safari themed float.

My children and grands have all watched the Wizard of Oz. Plus, I had just spent 18 + hours on the road, these last two days and to me there was "no place like home," and my own bed!

BPOE. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A fraternal organization of service to our Hopkinsville, KY community. 

Daddy was an Elk, serving as treasure, secretary and Exalted Ruler. 

Enough said! 

Donate Life float theme, "Lifting Each Other Up" appealed to me because my precious niece, Allyson, donated her organs to help save others. The judges awarded it Sweepstakes Trophy!

My favorite float, with the cross high atop the church, was created by Lutheran Hour Ministries....of course it was! This year it had a special memory as it reminded me of sweet friend, Stephanie, whose husband Les, went to his heavenly home less than a month ago. He served for years as a Lutheran pastor.

That memory, the words, "A New Day With Jesus" accompanied by the music and lyrics of "I Can Only Imagine" sealed it for me! 

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

MY "BEST THEME DEPICTION AWARD TROPHY"-----

as one begins each day of 2023 "turning the corner" with Christ!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! EAT UP!

BLESSINGS FOR 2023!

Black eye peas. Black-eyed peas.

Nothing spiritual....just traditional. Southern traditional.

Mildred Davenport Adams aka Gigi traditional. Black-eyed peas cooked with hog jowl, served with a side of fresh turnip greens and piping hot cornbread.

A can in the pantry with 3 "just-in-case" freezer packs in Memphis.

Hoppin' John from a food truck in Bryson City, North Carolina.

Perfectly delectable from Brooklyn, New York by the resident chef.

Hopeful for a "bean" of some sort in Panda Express take-out in Allen, Texas---anything to appease Gigi! More importantly to please God.

Enjoy your New Year's Day meal to glorify God/honor God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Regardless of the translation* of the tradition---Whether then, you are eating or drinking or whatever you are doing, let everything be done to the glory of God. (Weymouth New Testament)

So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you - you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them.....but Him.

*Whether therfore ye eate or dryncke or what soever ye do,

do all to the prayse of God. (Tyndale Bible of 1526)