ROAD TO NOWHERE!

A muddled mind can be a side-effect of a stroke. An occipital lobe stroke can increase the muddlng. Factor in amyloid build up....you get the "up, up, up idea. Weariness looms. To muster my energy, hubby tries to encourage movement.

Yesterday, he said we could find the "Road to Nowhere" for a 20 minute walk.

We found the sign............

...but that's all we found!

There was a locked gate across the road. No parking area was anywhere close. It seemed, as the sign said, a broken promise f sorts for my walk.

As Son, J said, "It seems the road took you nowhere." I did not laugh. 

Maybe my mind was too muddled/concerned about backing down the narrow hill.

I'm sure there are more life lessons in these events "somewhere"----Yesterday, my mental condition was too confused a state to figure them out.

But today, Jesus, the One who is "the way," can refer to pathways of life or the journey we are on as we choose to trust Him, as we "walk" even when our mind is mixed-up!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING......

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas on WRD!

Thanks to friends, neighbors  and family who are spreading the true joy! 

It all started with a BIG fragrant wreath arriving in the mail from Collierville! I "puddled!"

Note purple door.....royalty.....a child of the king must live here!

A nativity built piece by piece over the years from Memphis friends.

(Luke 2:8-12)

A.B.'s "Beauty of the Earth" in a 2025 Photo Calendar 

Even at the high school the students worked together to write, and produce a "fun" play that includes acceptance and forgiveness and made our pre-schooler use his "excited" hands a lot!

 Plus, the sound and light crew guru is family!

SAVIOR = REDEMPTION

REDEEMER.....every Jesus follower has the One who is true!

How do we know? The Bible tells us so!

Redemption is an act of being saved from sin, error or evil. Similar to regaining possession of.....like clearing a debt. In biblical terms it involves deliverance from bondage based on payment of price by a redeemer.

For believers Jesus has redeemed us from alienation from God through the  death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:7)

REJOICE-----

        REDEEMED ONES!

ADVENT!

Advent ie a faith season of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus' birth and anticipation of His return at the Second Coming! 

The candles and wreath are accessories and may vary but all point toward Christ, the world's true light, who was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 1:8)

WEARNINESS RX-- INTRO!

WEARINESS RX will be shared after my nap! (or 2 or 10)

Yesterday, Jack said, "I am most thankful for my dinosaurs and stuffies." 

Then he took a nap in his closet.

I am most thankful for Jack's example, without shame!

BUNDLES OF BLESSINGS!

CALLS! CARDS! TXTS! E-MAILS! FAMILIAR FOODS! FAMILY!  TV GOBBLES!........

from Personal Shopper......

.....to full tummy with 2 desserts followed by l-o-n-g nap .....

and a grateful heart with bundles of blessings!

FOOD & FAMILY & FAITH!!!

Food but not just any food. 

Spiritual food. Think God's Word.

Family--all people in God's family......i.e. fellowship! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) who stand with others in the faith. A caring community which builds a "culture of caring" through all generations. (Mickey Bowden)

Faith---a gracious and merciful God, who sent His only Son to redeem those who accept Him as Savior to have eternal life with Him. (Nehemiah 9:31)

FOOD. FAMILY. FAITH. 

                FOUNDATIONAL SOURCE OF SUPPORT!

ANCHOR OF HOPE!

A Biblical Anchor represents hope!

A hope based on Jesus and God's Word. Promise in Scripture!

Anchor is firm and secure. Metaphorically.....God and faith.

Thank you, Lord for that Anchor of Hope that keeps me grounded during this latest struggle. 

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

My Amen Anchor! A Secure Anchor!

*entry per A & G Cook

ROOM WITH A VIEW!

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Oh what a day!

Smoky Mountain Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy.

PT. Efficient Renee. Smiling Hannah. A busy Eric.

Mounds of equipment.

Blurr. Woobly. Imbalance.

Exercise Repetition.

Water. Fat pretzel. Can't swallow.

Upchuck.Weak. Fear. Unsteady. 

Ambulance Ride (backwards)  70-90 MPH, per hubby in pursuit

"Stay with me, Mrs. L." 

Open your eyes. Lift your arms.

Projectile Vomiting. Source?

Increased intra cranial pressure.

Mission Hospital Asheville, NC.

Woozy. Gurney Ride.

Room A#523. 

Testing Blur.

815 beds.

A bed. Warm blankets. Ebony/LEL contrasting humor. 

A VIEW comes into view!

A wide-eyed "Ahhhh.............."

Spirit-led adjustments needed.

"I sought the Lord." Others sought the Lord on my behalf. (Psalm 27:13)

"He delivered. No more fear".....(Psalm 34:4) only discomfort......

in a tiny room with an exquisite view. 

STOP! SMELL THE ROSES!

Smell the roses---

???What if there aren't any roses?

Choose any flower.

What if there are't any flowers? 

Skip rocks in a creek!

What if the creek is too shallow??

Take your shoes off and stick your toes in the cold water!

Why?

Because it is good to give thanks to the Lord. (Psalm 9:1)

He will enable you to "sing for joy." (Psalm 92:4, emphasis mine)

Quit making excuses! Be grateful. Pappy Young thought gratitude was

like duct tape ......there was no problem it couldn't fix.

Choose joy! 

When you've grown weary, remember the One who is your joy.

STOP! Lean into Him! Allow Him to gratify and satisfy.

Who knows, you might even get a whiff of roses from afar!

NEEDMORE?!

What does one do when her GPS fails? Possibly switching back to God's Positioning System, when one needs more clarity of direction in her life would help!

Even with the latest GPS system, one can still lose her bearing when fatigue & insecurity are factors. Sunday was such a time. I needed more clues and old timey street signs which were still readable to help hubby best navigate the road to return to our new homeplace.

A good reminder appeared on the back of a BiG truck.

When we missed the turn indicated by the GPS we were reminded again that we needed more help.

When one is going in the wrong direction, for me, the answer is obvious.........

As always, I "NEED MORE" of Thee and less of me!

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!

LIGHT IN THE DARK!

I feel as if I'm sitting in darkness.

Be a light to me O Lord. (Micah 7:9)

Even though the Hunter's Super Moon lit up the early morning skies (2am) my heart sensed darkness. 

Thank you for the truth of your word.....When I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me....pleading my cause and bringing me out to the light. (Micah 7:8-9, paraphrased) His marvelous light!

Thank you Lord that your are a God of restoration.....a God whom I can trust to bring me back in to the light!

FOREVER FRIENDS!

There are no words yet……only tears!

Rest in peace, sweet Ellen, my dear, long-time friend❣️ l love you and so cherish all our memories & times together! You will always be a part of who I am—the kind, gentle parts. 

Ellen Thomas Cockrell

 12/12/1947-10/16/2024

May You O Lord, quiet/calm alll her family and friends with your love. (Zephaniah 3:17) 

abun-DANCE!

abun-DANCE is the "dance" of celebrating life right now! It's dancing to the music of life. Yesterday it was "dancing" with hubby in the booth at Peter's Pancakes in Cherokee NC because that's what we do, wherever we are, when "Ain't to Proud to Beg" by the Temptations plays. And to think I almost said "No" to going because I felt too frumpy to leave the house.

It's special to have traditions that become special memories as you age....especially when extended family understands as well. As Candy Paul says, "It's saying "No" to fear and "YES" to LIFE!

Scripture reminds us, God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Even when our mind seems to be a bit wishy-washy at times, God can provide the ability to discern His will for each day & every moment. Music for our soul....enough to have our toes tapping in step with Him.

That's abunDANCE!