GRANDPARENTS' DAY!

Grandparents' Day! What a privilege! 

How many grandkids do you have you might ask. Well.....not all are mine by blood. All are mine in Spirit. 

James 1:27 has become a "lifesong" for orphans and widows. Regardless of the version in Scripture James 1:27, expresses  caring for orphans and widows in their troubles is pure and undefiled before God. 

A paraphrase says, "One of the purest and most undefiled demonstrations of the gospel is to move towards hard places and broken people, not away from them."

A daughter and a dear friend both do that. 

Sometimes I'm blessed to join the action. I received lots of treats!

 

Next time, I'll have to drive to North Carolina for a Grandparents' Day!

EXPERIENCE THE GLORY! : INTERNATIONALLY

I love Ukraine! I love Ukrainians! I pray for Ukraine. Anyone who knows me, knows that.
Therefore, the chance to meet more Ukrainians was a no-brainer for me. But....to be so thoroughly entertained by their music was a BIG blessing for me.
America the Beautiful started the performance and it was a glorious rendition! "This Little Light of Mine" and it's familiar tune was a delight to hear in their language as was the praise chorus, "Bless the Lord,  Oh My Soul."
They shared fun, frolicking folk songs so easily understood even though we (at least I) didn't know the language.

Two pieces shared were composted by members of the group. An instrumental by the pianist's daughter and a hymn of prayer by one of the female vocalists. (to left in picture)

This group could sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" in three languages. English. Russian. Ukrainian. GLORY!

As my heart was moved by the music, my soul was moved by the ministry of this group who go into war-torn areas in their own country and take food, medical supplies, music and the gospel message to widows, orphans and families of veterans. (James 1:27)

Acts. 6:4 was cited by the director, Wes Janzen, who clearly stated that all of their ministry is pre-ceded by prayer.  A great reminder to me---an answered prayer as I have been trying to discern the ministry the Lord would have me to do as I've felt so scattered and overwhelmed lately.

"but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Prayer comes first! GLORY!!!
The entire night was glorious and I was blessed!

CHOOSE: TEA FOR TWO

Tea for two---had been on my heart as a way of sharing time with a dear widow friend. Yet, an overbooked schedule made that time beyond the limits of my schedule restraints.

But God, heard my heart cries for help and it happened.

"In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."(Proverbs 16:9) David Lloyd-George once said, The true test of a civilization is the way it treats its old people.” Hopefully, in the Judeo-Christian community, care for the aged is seen as both a privilege and a responsibility.

God is there for widows and He wants His people there for them as well. A ministry that is emphasized in the Bible.

Jeremiah 49:11".....let your widows trust in me." 

Psalm 68:5 "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." 

James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

Today's Tea For Two---a choice made possible by the Lord's "overruling and rescheduling" events in my life, was truly an answer to the prayer of my heart. How special to "brew" a cuppa with Miss Ann and enjoy that redeemed time as she regaled me with stories of times gone-by. Times with her Bob in Bloomington, IN when he worked for RCA. 
She smiled as she recalled those times---a smile that I had not seen in a long time.

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CHOOSE: A CUPPA speciali-TEA

Many of us need a good morning cuppa to start the day. For me it can also take on a TEA-rrific element of fun as I love word play!

A "Tea with Thee" quiet time of sorts as God helps me plan my day with my Bible open and my cuppa in hand.

Often the day's agenda helps choose the most needed brew. But.....no matter my plans, I need to ask the Lord to direct my steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB) Sometimes I have such a full schedule, that I cannot see a way to check everything off my list. But God.....

Today's choice for me was a cuppa sensitive-TEA. The Lord directed my FULL schedule so that I was able to spend extra time with a widow friend who needed a listening ear.

I left her sipping a cuppa sereni-TEA!!! PTL!

CHOOSE: RSVP

I don't remember what all the fancy french words are for that acronym---I just understand what it means. In southern speak, it means just let us know whether or not you are coming.

This morning as I was checking an invite, my eyes were open to "see" more than that. To see what my widow ladies seem to invite me to do weekly, more so when homebound.

Reach Someone Very Personally. 

They are that someone and they want more than my baked goodies, phone call or card.
They want my time. They want me. In the flesh.

Isn't that what we all want from friends? Especially when we are lonely.

Today, may I do that as God leads. It is more than ministry, it's a privilege. (James 1:27)

"Puri-TEA" of Faith

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27, KJV)

Many world faiths "do good." It's their version of "doing good," as well as their motive, that can bring the validity of such faith in to question, at least for me. Suicide bombers purport to be acting our their faith. But to what purpose? And to whose benefit?

Therefore, puri-TEA of pure faith is a cuppa poured out for the benefit of others.....the least of these. Orphans. Widows. 

Puri-TEA of faith is acceptable to God. For the glory of God---not for fame and glory for self. 

In the Christian faith, purity goes beyond this action of service to others, to keeping oneself pure, not soiled and dirty from the mores/morals of the culture.

Unstained. Unblemished. Spotless.

May I wait each day for God's purpose and motives in order to fill my empty cuppa with "puri-TEA of faith."