TIMES GONE BY---

Books, pictures, objects and chats with friends like Diane H., have a way of jogging my memory when I think I've lost it.

This morning I was reviewing some fave pages of Wilma Dykeman's book, The French Broad. Meeting her years ago at the Governor's Writers Academy in Appalacha influenced my continued intrigue of the area! Though she was the historian of the state of TN, she was a native of Asheville, NC.

A fave chapter (#10) involved a fervent old time preacher, speaking to a heat-oppressed crowd, with the real soul-splitting, happy-shouting kind of religion. ....not mamby-pamby, low voiced stuff. 

"Because, brother, I'm a-telling you straight, you've got to take the tonic of God and eat the whole word that will put some zip in your soul...." 

(p. 310) 

He reminded those listeners on the courthouse steps of a bone-deep thirst for God's word as similar to theirs for the little 6.5oz, green bottle of Coca-Cola. (a long-time fave of mine as well as Diane's)

The preacher's conclusion .....without God's word one can end up in the "muck and mire of hell" where there ain't  no relief.....

"There ain't no fans, nor no rest and, brother, there ain't no Cokes in hell." (p. 313)

Thx Diane for a fun, encouraging chat!

UNDETECTED INFECTION!

Undetected infection. Sounds like an inside job, doesn't it. A heart problem undetected.

Last week  I unexpectedly entered an unknown antigen area as I donned my mask and visited a loved one. 

Three days later she tested positive for COVID! I was advised of my exposure to her and followed CDC protocol. She and I had both been vaccinated. She ended up in the hospital and remains there. I had my first test 3 days later and today I had my 5th day test. 

Between the two tests I had enough time in quarantine to do a little heart/soul searching. 

If I have spiritual infection residing in my own heart, others might never see it. In some instances even I might be unaware. A pure heart is created by God. What's more, He must continually recreate it.

The solution? Ask God to search you & show you where you are infected with sin---maybe sin unbeknownst to you. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Today my COVID test was negative!! Hallelujah!

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) 

Hallelujah, also that the Lord can keep "cleaning me up" until I walk through heaven's gates and all infections will be gone. HALLELUJAH.........forever!

SIGNAGE---THAT GAVE PAUSE

I didn't stop dead in my tracks as it wasn't sudden or fearful....

but I did pause to ponder the sign as men of the cloth scurried past.
Do we more often take the path of working toward financial gain than the path of living for heaven?

Wonder if the finance committee has a meeting?

It seems seems that lately I have done more pondering as I've been "thinking carefully" (as Webster defines pondering) about heaven. I recently attended 3 funerals within 8 days. Factor in a heart catheterization requiring a stent for hubby and two recent hospital visitations, with one pending, and you'll understand my concern for self as well as others. 

I've prayed for all and actually prayed in person with two. My heart desires a heavenly trajectory for each.

But God......in my morning reading from Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven, reminded me.....It is God who "set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).....That's God's idea, not ours. (p. 114)

Salvation is God's work. (Psalm 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:4)

In Memory of Terry

Jeopardy is about to come on---an appropriate time to post this blog, as Terry and I share an affinity for that game show.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (Revelation 21:14)

The last time my friend Terry Parlow was coherent as I stood at his bedside, I cried.*
He cried too. But, as his face contorted in anguish, no tears came----so I shared mine, wiping them in his spiky hair.

Today was the memorial service for this godly man and longtime friend. Tomorrow I will post my remembrances for Aunt Mary and D.C. Julie to read.

*My last pic with Claudia---http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2013/11/waiting-on-god.html