FAITH--FOOD--FUN!!!

FAITH. FOOD. FUN.

Alphabetically correct!

All found today in Waynesville, NC while awaiting a cardiologist appointment.

Faith in print! Think faith in God! Honesty! Service! Quality for others! Dependability for what we believe and serve daily!

No food pix available! It was an easy "1 Thessalonians 5:18" moment of giving thanks! So-o-o-o delicious they scarfed it down. Even chocolate pie for dessert!

FUN! FUN!! FUN!!!

Fun with family! 

Fun with food! 

Fun after a good cardiologist report! That's serious fun!

TUESDAY TRIADS!

Few pastors are as succinct as Scotty Smith! He says the most with the fewest words!

Think crisp with clarity!

A BIG thanks to Doris, one of his faithful followers, and Quad Squad member for sharing a recent Scotty NT Gospel Triad with me.

1. Who are believers? "Called, loved and kept" (Jude 1:1)
2. What are believers given? "Grace, mercy, and peace" (2 John 1:3)
3. What will last in a believers life? "Faith, hope, and love" (1 Corinthians 13:13)

How do I know this triad was for me? 

I needed it after a week's worth of being "off the grid" to focus on & care for Hubby after his serious reverse shoulder replacement surgery. 

He needs it as well. Think "right-hander" living with only left hand usage and pain.

For us, tonight's Allen Bible Church selection from the  ABC 2026 Reading Plan is 1 Corinthians 13 (A favorite Scripture of his)

Romans 12:12, a fave Bible verse for me from dear friend Dixie, is on my side of the bed to see as I get up to aid Hubby during the middle of the night! Controls to access his recliner are on the right side and unable to be reached by his left hand. One more affliction he faces. Grateful so many friends are faithful in prayer for us as Hubby heals. 

 

These triads are God's truth for all believers.

Today I see them as "God winks" for me, a needy believer who is so-so grateful!

NEIGHBORLYNESS!

Neighborhoods are less about zip codes and more about being a part of  each others' lives! (Rev. Kenny Chapman)

For believers, think fellowship! Those walking with God leave their zip codes (of holy ground) often to go to serve others. With a quiet word. A gift of being there to encourage during physical needs or grief. 

Faith bearers serve others in the neighborhood and beyond.

Strength in one's inner being allows Christ to dwell in one's heart through faith and follow the call to serve others.

Serving others honors them. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10,ESV))

Out do one another in showing love says it well, neighbor!

BOX OF BLESSING!

Sometimes a gift box has its own blessing!

Looking forward to showing you the wisdom for me in this gift!

True wisdom is "rare" and comes from God's word!

God's Word.....a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

(Psalm 119:105)

Just 4 letters to help my short term memory focus! Not a random focus but one that is meant for me as a believer. Think "Believer's Apothecary" with a great acrostic.

Come back next Wordsmith Wednesday to see the gift that encourages me to continue to do small things that God leads me to do so they become great things In His name for His glory and my good as I have ways to serve others even if limited!

FORWARD IN FAITH!

Go forward in Faith.

Remember, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." (Dave Hawes)

Choose the way of faithfulness (Psalm 119:30)

FRIDAY FINISH!

For me, Friday finishes a week and leads into a "Serene Sabbath" weekend. 

Today it was also the wrap-up of a book given by a prayer warrior friend. 

A wrap-up of reflection. A fixing of our faith. 31 Days of Praise for the first 31 days of 2025.

Fixing our focus. Refocusing when necessary.

Faith fortified with praise.... gets us back on the "ramp of the freeway of faith." (p. 114)

Finish the week as you rest in God, delighting Him with your praises!

Finish the week, remembering--- 

"God inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalm 22:3)

BOLSTERING FAITH!

Life is full of challenges. Ups and DOWNS. Highs and LOWS, 

Life is full of difficulties. 

Struggles strengthen.

Some brought on by ourselves....others by loved ones.

All can be used to bolster one's faith.

Our reactions to these difficulties can also bolster the faith of others.

Respond today in His strength. Allow Him to bolster faith in your life for others to see. They might need a faith boost as well.

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)

SPIRITUAL ORDER!

ORDER??

Alphabetical? Branding/ Focal? Spiritual?

The lines at Everett Street Diner in Bryson City, North Carolina are long even before 7am opening time. 

Why? ESD has reputation as the best breakfast in town!

Their mug branding attests to this. It's all about food!

Though food is the focus....family and faith are all so included.

I might consider spiritual branding first, which would also include alphabetical correctness, also important for a "word nerd." Faith first.

FAITH. FAMILY. FOOD.

"Through faith the righteous have life" to enjoy the other above mentioned components. (Hebrews 11:6)

Always put God first. Spiritual order counts in life!

SIGN FROM THE LORD!

Sometimes when you're so down, disheartened, anxious and trust challenged... 

....one needs to look up.....to refocus.

Who would have thought that looking up from an exam table at the doc's office would give one an encouraging sign.....but it did!

What a sign....like a miracle to confirm one's continuance in faith.

For an avid reader and former librarian, even the wording was familiar. 

Just what I needed. A sign!

MEET THE SHEEP--FAITH

Faith is the sheep at the far left on our mantle. He is the starting place.

Just like in life. Faith is the beginning point.

F ast forward

A ll

I ssues

T o 

H eaven

Unwrap faith anew this Christmas and spread it abroad! (Romans 5:5)

FAITH AND GRACE

Faith and Grace go hand in hand. Sweet friend Amanda McElrath knew that. Her life showed it.

Her journal notes remind us all of how she lived her faith/grace combo life in fellowship with God's beloved. (Acts 2:46b-47)

Amanda is in heaven now so there's no permission needed to show this-somehow I don't think she'll mind.

Thanks from all of us in her H2H & other groups whose lives were better and much livelier from having walked the earth with her......in her season of faith and grace!

Back row--Amanda, her sister Charlotte, Wendy B., Debbie M., Anne J. 

Center--Dotsy 

Front Row--Debbie F.,  Claudia S. Jeanie D. Crickett K

Dancing DANCING AGAIN

To all my prayer warriors & encouragers, I want you to know that I appreciate your prayers, love, wit, puns, Encouragement and concern! I am dancing again but this time it is at Baptist East Hospital ICU room 215! Once again the Lord has turned my mourning into dancing! I am just doing it while I am all wired up—figuratively & literally.

Next test will be at 4:30 PM central standard time.

🥰 & hugs to all! I hope you dance! It’s the life of abunDANCE. I know that for sure!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways  acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

   And......if your name is Dotsy, you can dance all seasons of the year!

SATURDAY SUPPERS!

Saturday suppers make me smile, at least this one did. 

"Is supper the same as dinner?" she asked. "Yes, but tonight's supper is going to be breakfast!" I answered.
How's that for confusing a young mind!
Sweet friend Nancy (1Thessalonians 5:24*), a true helper of the fatherless (Psalm 10:14**) is in the process of loving and caring for 3 extraordinary kids as they all await final adoption.
When N had to go for overnight testing at LeBonheur  hospital,Larry and I had the privilege of a "semi" slumber party with the other 2.
Thus, the breakfast for dinner, as they are limited to "soft" foods.
So.....eggs and pancakes became dinner and PopPop babysat M's babydoll, Sarah.

Pancakes with a twist. Squiggle pancakes, a Liles tradition.

M & M got to take a hand at cooking them....

....and "showing off" their culinary skills.

All enjoyed EATING breakfast in the PM......

.....and a good time was had by all at our chilly Saturday Supper/Dinner.

* For the God who calls you is faithful, and He can be trusted. (! Thessalonians 5:24)

**But God....you are the helper of the fatherless. (Psalm 10:14)

CONSIDER FAITH

Considering faith gives you hope and confidence in hard times. (even in 18 days of sickness)

Considering starts with perceiving in the mind and after some pondering, it enables one to perceive clearly and move toward understanding. Quite a process for this finite mind.
So....How thoughtful of the Lord to provide it in BIG bold print.

Consider faith and then choose faithfulness.

It's head to heart action---then the feet take over.

Know it. Do it.

Because of His faithfulness, I can do it.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalm 119:30)

WORDS OF WISDOM

Real "wordsmiths" have a way of saying the most with the fewest words.

My dear friend and MAC cancer mentor, Michèle Phoenix, has once again done just that.

CHOOSE: TO MAGNIFY YOUR FAITH

Magnifying the Lord is the way to magnify one's faith.

Even sweeter is having that loved one, family or friend, to come alongside and magnify the Lord with you.

That's what fellowship entails. Coming alongside the brethren.

O, Magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:3)

Together in the faith makes it so easy to choose to magnify the Lord.

CHOOSE: A WORTHY READ

Not all books are an easy read but a worthy book can be edifying even as it relays horrific hardships of a faithful woman, as a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII.
When Darlene Deibler, after cleaning her husbands feet of jungle rot followed by separation from him and other unbelievable, to me, gruesome tasks, could no longer sense His Presence she remembered that FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

So, choose a worthy read to "pop into." I just happen to choose my favorite snack, popcorn and a glass of lemonade to enhance the experience of reading of another's miraculous faith.

CHOOSE: NEW EQUATION

New mug at brother Bobby's for my morning cuppa says it all as I begin the day and share "tea" with him, a fellow hot tea aficionado. A morning ritual  carry over from childhood days at 2211 in Hoptown!

Start the day grounded in faith (Colossians 2:7) and filled with hope (Colossians 1:23) to give joy for one's self that it might be poured out into the lives of others to bolster their faith. (Ephesians 3:17)

Equation of the heart: Rooted and grounded in faith + gospel hope = joy and love poured in to one's heart and then out to others!

Choose this equation daily!

Prayer Warriors---near and far

Morning call, filled with prayers, from way across the pond---think France, coupled with yesterday's email, with Dr. Jeremiah's quote, from Eads, TN---think a stone's throw away, reminded me of how BIG my God is! 
"God's woman in the center of God's will is immortal until God is finished with her!"
God's purposeful peace accomplished.

Different countries. Different type residences. Different denominations. Same God.
Prayer warriors both.