PHILIPPIANS' FODDER!

How I love to "feed" on God's word!

Especially in the 13 Pauline epistles in the New Testament.

Four of my favorites are the mnemonic General Electric Power Company which have been my way to keep those books straight in my mind. Thanks to a bible Study teacher's suggestion years ago.

If anyone remembers her name, I would appreciate the reminder.

Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians.

Today hubby and I start a new book, Considering Sparrows,* by Kevin Burrell, a PCA pastor (Presbyterian Church of America) in Charlotte, NC. It's a book which blends creation's beauty with Scripture's depth from the book of Philippians. The subtitle of the book clarifies it well.

What Birds Teach Us About Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus.

Hubby, being an avid bird watcher, will keep me grounded as I'm one who would prefer flying away. (Psalm 55:8)

*A 2026 summer book study at First Evan, in Memphis, to be led by Anne B. and Mary E.. 

A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!

Hope in Print. Eyecatching and heart touching! 

Rejoice in hope. (Romans 12:12)

In you Lord do I hope.(Psalm 38:15 + Psalm 71:5)

Hope continually (Psalm 71:14) and praise You more and more. (Psalm 100:4)

Hope for all we cannot see as we wait patiently for it. (Romans 8:25)

Hope of the righteous will be gladness. (Proverbs 10:28)

Be of good courage. He will strengthen the heart of all who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 34:21) 

Always be ready to give to others the answer of the HOPE that is in you.(1 Peter 3:15)

Threads of Hope a gift of praise from Anne B., a true prayer Warrior.  

May these hope verses be passed on prayerfully to the McCormacks!

WONDERS ON WALK-A-BOUT WEDNESDAY!

I forgot my phone for pix----
Blessed to have dear friend and professional photographer, Anne B. with me, so there's hope. 

On the trail, a lone observer commented, "There's someone with a "real" camera." There was indeed! Hubby got her pic at Tom Branch Falls,

Dwarf Crested Iris Along the Trail

Buttterflies--Blue spotted purple + Giant Swallowtail

Praises-----walking sticks in hand kept us vertical!

BLUEBIRDS AFLIGHT!

Bluebirds never leave NC but we see them only occasionally until they begin their nesting search. These cavity nesters breed from March through August. Bird loving hubby tries to aid them in that pursuit though it's been difficult since his shoulder surgery. 

Carefree birds don't grow their own food, primarily eating insects.(insectivores) Hubby makes sure there is also plenty of mealworms in our area as another fave food.He does not want to leave "his" fave birds in decline due to food or habitat loss!

Birds in the Bible symbolize God's providential care. 

When help is needed environmentally, many want to help this beautiful part of creation God has created to fly above the earth!(Genesis 1:20)

Hubby is chief among them to keep birds aflight!

WHAT A GIFT!

Dear friend, Anne B. celebrated her birthday today! I sent love and prayers from my heart---from North Carolina to Memphis, TN!

But....her fiancé, Jeff, took a picture of the red moon to send to her.

What a gift!

Anne, has always been my photographer friend and she shared this gift with me!" She sensed God put that red moon out for her birthday!

I call it a God wink." Either way, it's a perfect early in the day gift!

What a super gift??

FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP FRIENDS!

True friends from afar....are never far!

Faithful friends.

They are God's servants who accompany Him to serve me when I am going through Deep Waters. (Isaiah 43:2)

Mightier than the waves of the sea 

is His love for you. (Psalm 93:4)

Friends in fellowship keep in touch with prayers and notes.....many days, not just Friday.

BEAUTY FOUND IN TANGLED WEBS!

Photographer friend, Anne B., has a way of finding and highlighting beauty in the messes of life!

I, on the other hand, lately have a way of making messes in life or walking in fear that my decisions might mess things up for everyone. Decision making is so difficult as "what ifs" flutter all around in my mind.

My Uncle John Edward learned during WWII to "pull self up" by his boot straps. I don't even have any bootstraps. Plus, it sounds self-reliant to me!

If I have been constantly reminded of anything since our move to NC.....it's the need to lean into the Lord every day. It's His strength I need. His path I want. Leaning in to Him gives both strength and a straight path.

Today, even in the tangles, may I find fulness of joy in His presence as I follow the path of life He has made known to me. (Psalm 16:11)

REFLECTIONS!

REFLECTIONS.....

......in God's creation can easily get one's attention!

In the beginning, God created! (Genesis 1) God separated waters (seas) and dry land. (earth)  How blessed we are to see the dry land vegetation of earth reflected in the waters gathered together.

Rocky Mountains National Park, 2019---

Waters reflect not only the dry lands but also the  beauty of the clouds and blue skies, as reflected in Anne B.'s amazing photography!

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. (Proverbs 27:19)

REFLECTIONS.......

.......are all around us! I tend to avoid the ones in the mirror first thing in the morning! Plus, the dark chocolate others see on my lips shows my  lack of discipline.

In Scripture, James 1:3 uses an analogy of man looking into a mirror & then forgetting. The mirror of God's word can reveal truth that needs to be remembered and reflected in one's life. One's life needs to reflect the glory of God----as Jesus is the perfect reflection of His Father.

REFLECTIONS.....

....from God's word, His creation, and one's own heart are the actions that need to reflect the applications of Biblical truths in one's on life!

AMEN!

POWERFUL HEARTFELT WORDS!

A timely card from a talented friend brightened my day. 

I thank my God in all remembrance of her. (Philippians 1:3) She uses God's word to share that she" holds me in her heart." (Philippians 1:4)

On a week when I await the funeral of two friends' husbands, those words offer comfort that I can pray for them as well! 

"When I pray for you, my heart is full.....for you have a very special place in my heart." 

PERFECT GIFT!

Gift Giving can be a little intimidating for some of us. I, being one of them. Too often, I wrap with guilt. All the other females in the family have a knack for just the right gift for each person. But God in His love and mercy reminded me from my Anne B. calendar on our fridge....

...Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)

We see it through every pine tree, black-capped chickadee or believer's heart, who share acts of kindness with others! 

Those are all good gifts......but, the perfect gift came from God the Father of lights when He sent His Son as our substitutionary atonement. Therefore we believers have eternal life through His death, burial, and resurrection. His righteousness became ours! 

God's perfect gift to each of us is wrapped in love! His love!