RECYCLED BLESSINGS1

Blessings in a mailbox, on the front porch, in a FedEx truck, in a text or email, on a doorknob or a voicemail or a hug on a back row pew are but a few ways my spiritual sisters support me! Even a recycled card from a hometown chum.

What a fellowship! What a joy divine!

There is no better way to find mutual Christian support than a shared devotion to the principles of God's word than by spiritual communion through the gifting of prayer and words of encouragement, verse by verse. So grateful for prayers for my brother! 

It's truly a Thankful Thursday!

Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Ephesians 4:3: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Philippians 2:1-2: "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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Blessings from fellowship---connected by God's Son, Jesus Christ our LORD!

GOD LISTENS! GOD HEARS!

God not only listens! God truly hears!!

Above all, hold unfailing your love for one another, (1 Peter 4:8a, RSV)

A privilege of true fellowship!

JOY INCREASING!

Happy First Day of Spring! 

Memphis has flowers and our snow has dissipated! (Pradip pic)

Just the thought of springtime brings me JOY!

In every season.....winter, spring, summer, fall, ordained by God;

Focus on Him. 

Lean in to others in the "church."

Result = JOY 

Think increasing JOY!

Come let us sing for "JOY to the Lord"! (Psalm 95:1a) for "all my springs of joy are in you." (Psalm 87:7)

Everlasting JOY!

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!

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING!

Fellowship, in an of itself, is a gift that keeps on giving!

Friend WH, who understands better that I, all my age-related maladies has a way of of giving that helps me embrace God's truths and my need for all of them.

Reminders wrapped in an acrostic!

A great focus to remind me to not lose sight of Who God truly is in my life (Psalm 46:10) even when I struggle to set myself aside and choose to surrender to Him! (James 4:7)

Remembering His promises is key! (2 Corinthians 1:20) Yes and Amen.

The outcome allows me to experience peace. His peace. (John 14:27)

A gift of joy in His presence! (Acts 2:28)

True peace regardless of circumstances. 

What a gift!

ABIDE! A WAY OF WISDOM!!

Believers desiring to know God more deeply realize the need to turn to Scripture. For me, it also includes studying with other believers. 

Bible Study w/ others---A Way of Wisdom! Studying & Sharing together!

Allen Bible Church, Allen, TX

I don't remember the lady's name but she lived in a 2 story house on Park Ave. in Memphis, with a curved drive way in the front. Not my 1st Bible study but one that emphasized "abide" as a relationship key. Remaining in Him and loving one another! Abide and love are key words in John 15:1-17.

Our abiding relationship with God and other believers helps us to abound more! A shared joy! True fellowship!

It gives rhythm and "full joy" to our lives with Him and each other! (v.11)

ABIDE! REPEAT!

STAY! STAY!! STAY CONNECTED!!!

KITH AND KIN!

Kith and Kin jumped off the page of MUHH devotional today. 

Kith was used in Angela's Ashes: A Memoir as a way of describing the feeling of relational loneliness. Even the dog was gone. 

In Scripture, Abraham's life was an example of one who left kith and kin to follow God. 

It's faith at its best. Faith might not know where God's leading will take them but knowing the One who is leading provides the faith and assurance needed to go. 

Kith, without  Kin, is an old English word for friends and neighbors. 

For me, the Kin part reminds me of kin as related by blood in family or by adoption. Kin can also include believers in fellowship---one's church family!  Think "heart" family! 

 

But God, in His love and mercy, has shown me the necessity of connection through the blood of Christ regardless if the mileage separation! I have greatly experienced that KIN in our recent move. 

I would have been dismayed if I had not seen the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

Kith and Kin are my land of the living!

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!

TASTE & SEE!

"Taste and See" that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8a) 

Yesterday, we we saw the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living. (Psalm 27:13)

Fellowship around a table, in the hallway & side by side standing and sitting.

How blessed we were to taste the goodness of the Lord as we trusted in the Him. (Psalm 34:8b) through this blessed friendship of believers.

We were treated to more than we could have asked for or imagined---including Rad's message from the book of Daniel.

When Calvin O. ended our fellowship time together with a benediction, singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" my heart was full of both joy and sadness, causing the tears to flow.

A BIG thank you to loving friends in Christ who made all this happen,

Thanks to Nancy Binkley for the pix.

FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY!

My friends are little lamps to me; their radiance warms and cheers my ways.(Rainbows The Book of Hope, 1946 p.47)

Page edges may be a bit yellowed (paper oxidation) as friendships have multiplied & some have died but the sentiments have been there since the 4th grade at Morningside Elementary's Book Fair when I chose this book of poetry with spiritual leanings. (Thank you, Alice Munday)

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”  Proverbs 27:9

FELLOWSHIP-LACED FRIENDSHIP!

Fellowship + friendship = perfect duo!

The longer it goes, the better it gets.....especially when you can still make each other laugh during the hard times.

On our most recent visit, I shared some verses I recently prayed for someone dear. She got her Bible and asked me to read them to her. It became a "reminder moment" of the ease of getting to the Psalms by opening the Bible to the middle.

Voilà! She did it.

She then found Psalm 71.

Next, she took my picture as I read her Bible....

saying she wanted to remember me reading to her. 

What a moment! 

A grace-laced moment I'll never forget! 

FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY!

Fellowship is defined as friendly association especially with people who gather to share one's interest.

Art Lovers Gather.

Book Lovers Gather.

Sometimes the two coincide @ Germantown Library with chess lovers added to the mix.

Runners Gather.

Jesus Followers Gather. 

Christian fellowship denotes participative sharing and mutual encouragement towards Christ. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

KIDSPEAK WISDOM & OTHER GOD SOURCES,

Storms of life can sometimes bring darkness. Sometimes the storms can seem so dark that one forgets to look for the blessings. How grateful I am for ones in my life, from family to friends who offer the right reminders, from words to pictures.

Youngest grandson gave one of those "out of the mouth of babes" comments that was so relevant.

The sun's awake so I'm awake.

What a positive way to approach each new day for a little tyke. 

In his 80s, Daddy, would say each morning, "I'm grateful for everyday the good Lord gives me."

Photos sent from friend, Anne B. 

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

Result--Today My prayers changed from petition to praise!

ADDENDUM: Just minutes after I had already typed this, brother Buddy, called from Vanderbilt Trauma PT saying he is being released on Saturday to go home to Louisville, KY. Hallelujah! 

What a praise!

COLLECTIVE NOUNS INTRIGUE!

At a recent fish-fry with friends at the Tackers, my on-going intrigue with collective nouns surfaced. 

Sometimes a topic of discussion can take its own turn as that night I shared a term I had read in a detective story. Pam's phone helped jog my memory when I could only come up with the first letter. 

M-- for a group of crows. 

A "murder" of crows. 

Today I saw said group of raucous crows at GAC---so large they could fit right in with Poe's ravens. 

That sighting had me pondering other collective nouns as my thoughts returned to that time with Lynn, Connie and Pam.

What is an all encompassing noun for believers in fellowship? (Acts 2:42)

Is there a collective noun for faith folks?

Bevy of Believers. 

Calm of Christians.

Choir of Christians.

Congregation of Worshippers.

Folks of faith. 

Grace-forged friends = fellowship.* (1 John 1:7)

How about, "All the Above?"

*Scotty

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY!

"Cultivating Community" communicates relational identity that requires deposits from participants. Plural. Think reciprocity.

A continual devotion to apostles' teaching and fellowship of believers.

Cultivating Community in no way negates getting alone to spend time in prayer or meditating on God's Word.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states that the "Lord has placed eternity in our hearts." Embedded in each of us is a sense of something more..... a longing.

Two needs of life resonate with each of us....to belong and to matter. Fellowship supports those truths. Longing for belonging.

Long to belong--a bedrock for Christian fellowship

Theology of Togetherness. Made to be known. Knowing we matter to God. 

NO "I"-dentity.

"We"-dentity. In Christ together.

Sounds like fellowship at its best.....aligned with awe and one purpose.

Single-mindedness in worship; yet, unity in diversity. Practicing/preserving that diversity without slamming another's politics or opinions on social media. Do unto others....for their benefit. (John 13:34)

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. (John Bunyan)

A community coming together to know Him and make Him known not in words alone but in our actions. 

Cultivation that bears fruit of awe and purpose that blesses community.

GRACE-FORGED FRIENDSHIP DAY!

In our culture there are days for everything, even food! 

January 12-Hot Tea Day. January 26-Peanut Brittle Day.

April 5-Caramel Day. 

June 10-Iced Tea Day. July 1-Pecan Pie Day.

October 28-Chocolate Day. 

Yesterday was National Lemon Meringue Pie Day.

You get the idea---or at least an idea of those I celebrate "in the flesh."

What about more significant days for believers???

Scotty asked, "When is "Grace-Forged Friendships Day?" 

EVERYDAY! 

It makes everyday "gospel-icious." (Cole Huffman) especially as we desire to age gracefully. 

"A gospel-posse." (Scotty)  Dynamic Duo. Terrific Trio. A Quad Squad.

Christians on the same side of the struggle. (Ellen)

Believers who have been there, i.e. experienced that, can offer deep understanding, like-minded prayers and comfort so one does not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:16) 

A Fellowship of Believers' Day......

.....grace-forged with hope-filled prayers.(Romans 15:13)

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

WOW! What an auspicious beginning to may day!!

So concerned (not worried, that sounds like SIN).....but this morning I questioned if I had chosen to lead devotionals at 2 assisted living places without undeniable leading from the Lord.

But God..."showed up" as I was adding honey to my toast.

Certainly I have use this honey often, maybe with sleepy 1/2 closed eyes because I had never seen the verse underneath the WILDFLOWER label.

God graciously opened my eyes today, right when it was needed, as an answer to my heart's prayer. I had eyes to see! Scripture! 

My teaching was on meditative prayer---that I might allow them to understand the importance of using God's Word to make prayer sweet to the soul and healthy for the body in accordance with God's will and purpose for our lives as we wait expectantly for His answer.

I think I got my answer! I am thankful as I was the one blessed beyond measure this Thursday! 

JUNE IS HERE!

I don't always remember what day it is but I'm always excited to turn my calendar page to a new month! Flipping the page means I get to see a beautiful picture taken by dear friend and incredible photographer, Anne Brewer!

This photo is not only spot-on for June but the verse is perfect!

Of course it is!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.....(Hebrews 15:13)

God's timing! June is here with hope renewed.

BENEFITS OF BELONGING!

Fellowship aka Christian community is the bond of believers! 

It is belonging. Daily. Weekly. Spontaneously. A time to reconnect and rekindle because of "whose" we are.

Believers have taken off the old self, aka corrupt and deceitful life (Ephesians 4:22) and put on the new self which is true righteousness and holiness which is a bond of belonging.(Ephesians 4:24)

According to Taylor Park, those who "take off the old but don't clothe themselves in the new are like a naked Pharisee." Think hypocrite!

True believers who have put on the new self have that incredibly deep bond of fellowship! His love which binds everything together...(Colossians 3:14)

Coming together informally, zooming or in face to face worship is always a celebration because it is done "In His Name!" 

Fellowship is belonging in Christ.....therefore do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

IN HIS NAME!

Sometimes a day off from distractions, a fast of sorts, is helpful in seeking direction.

One of the results was a tweak and a sharing! 

Fellowship---think "glue of God" for believers. 

Many of us have lots of friends. Often among friendships there are boundaries or commonalities. Caregiver companions. College chums. 

Work friends. Work-out buddies. Or today---a true commonality. 

A common cause of service to others out of love to our Lord Jesus Christ! 

 

I am a companion 

of all who fear you,  

of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)

 

Fellowship. Believers together regardless of the time or place. At the Home or Regions Bank. 

Sharing and caring are the manifestations of such a fellowship; it's life sharing!

“Exercising with one another.” Not at just at a gym or on a walk. Fellowship, is essential for growth, from physical to spiritual!  

Fellowship, sharing time in God's word laced with prayer enabling us physically coming alongside others in their struggles of life ---Our folks. Being there is an important earthly exercise with an eternal result. (Acts 2:42, 44)

 

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  (Romans 14:19) Mutual Upbuilding sounds like fellowship to me! Fellowship without grumbling. 

You. Me! We!! Thee!!!---the BEST UNITY!

Fellowship is fun! Fellowship is more than fun!

Fellowship is the blending of thoughts, words and actions as we live together in the Truth we know! The One who is the TRUTH.

Fellowship is a solidarity of like-minded, yet uniquely gifted, believers as we align our hearts with God the Father through Jesus His Son and His Spirit within each of us.

 

REMEMBER>>>A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.(Proverbs 29:7) 

FELLOWSHIP = FRIENDSHIP PLUS! A step above all the rest! 

 

Fellowship of believers bound through the blood of Christ.

A relationship where heart speaks to heart! 

 

May our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ…make your love increase and overflow for each other (fellowship) & for everyone else whom you serve. (1Thessalonians 3:11-12) To lend a hand 

 

Today may we magnify the LORD & exalt His Name forever! (Psalms 34:3)

 

To God be the glory in our KDS FELLOWSHIP. Amen!

4/28/2023