THURSDAY THERAPY!

Be anxious for nothing.....

There's an RX for that!

Praise the Lord--

Trust RX refills are free for life.

SISTERS IN CHRIST!

Opening one's mail can incredibly lift one's spirit. 

Not only an encouraging card but a perfect "gift" for an avid reader was included! A bookmark!

A bookmark filled with words that resonate for all female believers....

.....not sisters by birth but by heart!

Sisters in Christ are Sisters for Life. 

Amen, Sisters!

THRUST OF TRUST REMINDER!

THRUST OF TRUST has me leaning in to the Lord for needed strength.

PRAISE GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

(2 Samuel 22:33, emphasis mine)

This card in the morning mail did just that for me. 

Think trust (hope in; wait on).

May I use the Lord's strength today for His glory and the good of others as the joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

MORNING MUSINGS!

Beginning the week with BIG truth in few words!

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF OTHERS

ABIDE IN JESUS.

BE CHANGED BY JESUS.

EMBODY THE WAYS OF JESUS.

ENOUGH SAID!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

A blog to have you mostly use your imagination.....because I only took 1 pic.

Celebrating Mother's Day was special for BB and me & our spouses! 

Her son and my daughter treated us and our "joint grandboys" to nearby Deep Creek for picnic with all the fixin's! Plus, chatting, laughing, campfire s'mores and BB's lemon blueberry poundcake to take home!!

A perfect way to honor their father and mother. (Exodus 20:12)

Before the munching started, I followed the younger grand who removed his crocks & sat right in the water of the COLD creek. Nor far from him were LOTS of tadpoles on an underwater rock in the creek. 

We talked about tadpoles turning into frogs. 

I was unable to scientifically answer his question with eggs, gills or tails to answer his question, "How do they know how to do that?" 

I answered truthfully, "God made them to know how to do that!"

As we packed up to leave, a large pileated woodpecker joined our gathering. (photo by PopPop) 

A "Happy" time was had by all the mothers and their kin!

RIGHT TURN!

"RIGHT TURN" could be a directional turn that is opposite of left turn. 

In the journey of life it could be the correct turn that will have one going spiritually in the right direction.

Often times it helps when believers walk together!

Critical support in times of struggle.

Brethren, be followers together of me, (Philippians 3:17a)

Think, trust Jesus and walk with others who have the same mindset.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 2026

National Day of Prayer!

1 Chronicles 16 suggested by First Evangelical Church 

with my "snippets of praise and petition" for today, (emphasis mine) 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30     tremble before him, all the earth;
    yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” 
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

Intentional Worship teaches that God's Presence constantly calls for thanksgiving, and praise. Let's do it together today!

May we all be prompted to "Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All generations."

A perfect "prayer theme" for 2026.

CHOCOLATE DAY!

The results are in----"I am Weird" according to my family and folks who know me best. I only eat chocolate on certain days of the week. That's my discipline! AKA weird to others.

Tuesday. Thursday. One weekend day, can vary.

Never chocolate after 3pm---in whatever time zone I am located.

Do I ever "over do it" on those  days"? 

Today was one of those ('til now) rare days.

Ice Cream Station, 48 Big Cove Rd. Cherokee, NC 28719

https://icecreamstationandmore.com. 

Just look for the pink house!

Delish! Made with the cream from NC Jersey cows (Riverbend creamery) to give a naturally rich and creamy texture.

My perfect Tuesday Lunch! Yes--LUNCH! 

A waffle cone with a scoop of Mint Chocolate topped with a scoop of Rich chocolate with chocolate candies. Hubby's choice was butter pecan, the best he's ever had, topped with a scoop of toasted coconut.

In everything, give thanks! So grateful for family and friends who accept we with all my quirks.

So thankful to have found the pink house filled with the BEST ice cream ever! A fabulous "Tuesday Treat" for me!

LISTEN MORE!

 LISTEN MORE......

.......but discriminate when necessary!

Often many reels that come through on one's phone can be a waste of time. Instagram can lead one down rabbit trails. 

Look to God's Word to verify

Identify truth through Scripture

Summarize revelations

Take away fewest so as not to overwhelm

Embrace relevant parts

Nurture others with pertinent truths 

Some on-line pastor's spout self-serving messages.

Not this one. Consider words by each pastor to know his source. 

Listen closely and decide.

Pay attention to TRUTH! Truly Listen to Truth!

Psalm 143:8 is the wallpaper for my computer screen. 

A great reminder to refocus on Him anytime I open my computer!

Picture taken from my screen----I have no idea where I found it. Words below might be easier to read for those of us with "aging" eyes.

"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,"   

MINDSET MATTERS---FILL IT UP!

Needing a refresher on the "mindset" citation for Colossians 3:2, I chose the New International Version. Think "Pithy with a Punch" for my choice with "Set" as the first word. (A transitive verb in the imperative mood acting as an action word commanding one to direct his attention toward something specific.....i.e. mind.)*

 

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)

I included other versions for readers to consider version that speaks to both their mind and heart!

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. (AMP)

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (AMPC)

Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. (CJB)

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJ21)

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. (MSG)

Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. (TLB)

* For my wordsmith readers.

ROCKY PATHS!

ROCKY PATHS.....

........some are worth the struggle. Some seem to lead nowhere.

Possibly learning patience in our struggles strengthens hope along the rocky paths.Hope is a much needed attribute of life. 

Think--- Mindset of hope often strengthened in our struggles comes as we lean into Him for Strength. Remember, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Set your mind on it!

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Mindset #4 Allow struggles of life to remind us to rejoice even in our sufferings along life's rockiest paths.

God's word provides the best mindset on this Thankful Thursday!

MINDSET MATTERS #3!

"Mindset matters" for the 3rd day.....and beyond!

Awakening with a "muddled mind" this morning, I opened God's Word!

I praised! Think rejoiced in the Lord (Philippians 4:4)

I prayed & asked. Think supplication for my Wednesday Women. (in red ink) (Philippians 4:6)

I went back to God's Word. Eventually, I took a walk with my book of Philippians in hand. Picking up where I left off. At verse 7, words were "mindset" specific. "Peace to guard your heart and mind" in Christ!

Philippians 4:8 came immediately to mind---a familiar "mindset" (since March 1965, KJV) to think on these things.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Perfect Mindset Words became BOLD in my mind!

"Wrap-up words" from Philippians 4:9 inspired action---

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Positive thoughts to fill my mind 

on this Wednesday Wisdom Walk! 

MINDSET MATTERS! #2

"Set my Mind, Lord."

Repetition is important in teaching! So is prayer.

Renewal of one's mind can transform one's mindset! (Romans 12:12)

Did the Preacher learn, if a mindset of wisdom doesn't give God glory it is vanity? 

Wisdom without faith is also vanity of vanities---a striving after the wind. What lies within your mind and heart counts and is visible to others in your actions.

Mindset does matter. But it's not a one-time end all. 

When all has been heard, the end of the matter is, "Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man". (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

MINDSET MATTERS!!

Does one's mindset matter?

Be present where you are----not worrying about achieving the next thing on your to-do check list. Such things are fleeting! Transitory.  Unsatisfying. Meaningless.

Hebel (הֶבֶל) is a Hebrew word used 38x in Ecclesiastes translated as vanity, ie. "chasing after the wind" in life. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Think striving after a vapor or mist. 

Live in the pleasant tense.

A wise man (Solomon) asks God for wisdom. (1 Kings 3:12)

Mindset does matter. 

Set your minds on things that are eternal!

LOL!

LOL---and it's not laugh out loud! 

It's my version of Language of Lament! (Think Lots of Lament)

My thrust of trust!  Too often, it's difficult to live without complaint. 

I beat myself up when I fail. If this idiom were true physically, I'd be black and blue daily. No one can criticize me or punish me more excessively than my own "self-critical" intense feeling of guilt. 

But God reminded me, through a Mark Vroegop article that part of the book of Psalms deals with the Language Of Lament. That's my LOL!

Vroegop states, A Psalm of lament "is pain that leads to trust." 

Self-criticism is never mentioned.

(No Bibliography info available on my torn out sheets)

Today for me, prayers prompted from Psalm 71 

also  focused on Vroegop's four elements of lament from Psalm 77, Psalm 22, and Psalm 13.

• Turn:---Talk to God while in Pain (Psalm 77:1-2) (I Think filled with fatigue as Psalm 71 subtitle, ESV p. 586) states, "Forsake me not when my strength is spent.")
• Complain:--Something I try not to do but Vroegop recommends as a part of Biblical lament---as one lays out the nature and depth of his.her sorrows.(Psalm 22:9-11)
• Embrace: biblical promises. (Psalm 22:9-11)
• Trust: Believe in God's trust worthiness (Psalm 13:5-6)

Mark Vroegop sees these elements as a legitimate framework for lament, a track of grief which allows a believer's prayers to move his/her journey from heartbreak to hope. 

BOOK DAY!

National Book Day is today! 4/23/2026! 

A great day for readers to explore their library.

Today book marks were given out!

Some libraries had tables set up for children to create their own bookmarks.

However, Scripture warns, "Of making many books there is no end"! 

In other words, be selective in your choices. These days I choose short story collections while hubby chooses many with 1,000 pages. A first grader I know chooses easy books to mostly chapter books.

Some prefer reading alone.

Others enjoy being read to whether by a sister or a friend!

Many folks join Book Clubs. One year, my friend Jerrie H. belonged to 4 different books clubs and none were on-line ones.

National Book Day gives all readers a day to celebrate---enjoy it!

EARTH DAY!

"Earth Day" the American way began April 22, 1970! No way I knew that because I was expecting 1st child and that was only thing on my mind.

Truly, even now, Earth Day belongs to Him! 

In the beginning God created .......and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalm 33:5) 

Let all the earth revere the LORD, For He spoke and it came to be. (Psalm 33:8-9)

Every Earth Day belongs to Him. It's His!

Enough said!

BE STILL UNTIL YOUR EYES ARE OPENED!

Across the sanctuary screen, words of scripture and song lyrics are written for all to view. Recently these letters were shown......

.....clearly showing a list of letters. Any wordsmith would immediately decipher, based on what his life at the moment brought to mind. What's the first thing you see? 

My pondering---saw the untruth written first.  

If only spaces between the letters were added, those spaces could reinforce albeit, a misconception of words. Pastor Hawes did just that.

The true lesson here is remembering God's truth. GOD IS NO WHERE, even with spaces added, is untrue. God not being seen doesn't mean he is No Where.He is seen in the lives of believers. He is vivid through them. But God...... allows spaces in one's own life to see God.

He allowed Jesus to be seen even when Jesus wasn't visible On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus went with two disciples, who did not"see" Him until He took the bread, blessed and broke it...."and their eyes were opened,"......Jesus had been with them but until His actions opened their eyes, both were unaware. 

Appropriately the service closed with all singing Hymn 502.* From their hearts, "Open My Eyes that I May See" came out loud and clear as we opened our mouths, ears, and our hearts! (Refrain)

We all knew..............

When circumstances have us seeing God as absent, space with Him (in time alone) needs to be added. Spacing is key in our time with the Triune God. 

Seeking Him, He can open our eyes, so with Him we can "live and move and have our being"....(Acts 17:28a)

*

SOUNDS OF MOTOWN!

DATE NIGHT WITH GRANDSON!

Nothing quite like it!

Hopefully More later......computer on the fritz! Or maybe it's me⁉️

It was me!

What a great experience to share!

When they started the music with 🎶 "Can't Help Myself" 🎶 by The Four Tops my toes were tapping and I was singing along......(Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) Anyone in the audience over 60 was doing the same thing! When listening to Sly and the Family Stone's "Dance to the Music" an old fogey or two went down to dance.

I just tapped my toes louder from the aisle seat on the back row.

After the break when revue ended with The Temptations, My Girl (#1 selling Motown record of all times along with my FAVE, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, I was so glad I stayed to the very end!

My grandson couldn't believe I knew all the words----he probably was surprised I could remember! 

FLORAL FRIDAY!

Horticulturists of great repute in one's neck of the woods and beyond is known to me as my kind neighbor Susan. Chatting today as she was  using mulch loaded with molasses (never heard of that) from Cherokee reservation,  Bill and Ann, gardeners from street behind us, made their frequent drive-by to see what was happening in this renowned garden on WRD.

 

I, on the other hand, use my SEEK app to find my way around a garden. When Susan shared her Apricot Peonies, I was fascinated by these which had 3 different colors on the same plant. 

My pix don't do justice but I want to remember her enthusiasm as she shared info with me.

Bachelor buttons, planted in the fall (key time) now blooming in blue and white, with Eastern red columbines all behind her apricot peonies.

Note small green bud @ bottom of pic

...and a larger green bud opening to red

From small green to green openings to reddish sprouts....... 

........to full red blossoms and blooms, "whitened fluffy as a petticoat," as she described them!

Scripture uses flowers to show God's provision and the beauty of His creation.

Song of Solomon refers to a time when winter is past and verse 2:12 rang out as I stood at her garden's edge:

"The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land." (literally on our street)

I hummed, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Him" even as I typed this as the second line was in my heart and eventually on my lips!

🎶 "Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, 

opening to the sun above."🎵