Showing posts with label Jeremiah 29:7. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeremiah 29:7. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR 2022!!!

Today's reveal of Time Magazine's Person of the year included not only Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, but also the "Spirit of Ukraine." 
Safety concerns keep me from listing the Ukrainians whom I know, who seek the peace and prosperity of the city in Ukraine where the Lord has placed them. (Jeremiah 29:7) As they seek welfare all the displaced people who flee to their city they are blessed themselves! 
These brave souls understand their exact location where they live was set by God that they might seek Him knowing He is always near!(Acts 17:26-27) 
"In Him, they live and move and have their being." (Acts 17:28)
That my friends is the true Spirit of Ukraine!

Saturday, December 3, 2022

W0RK SMART!

First Evangelical Church has a Monday-Saturday "Six Challenges Prayer Guide" followed by PRAISE Sunday.
I like the way Saturday's focus is to Work Smart as it seems like a great way to be ready to work to be ready for a serene Sabbath full of PRAISE!

Jim Walker, editor of 4Memphis, sees work as a gift. He starts the November/December publications editorial page with the verse Psalm 90:17.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work
 of our hands for us; yes, establish the work out our hands.

The work that Walker commends goes beyond just the jobs that come with a paycheck. He, as always, applauds those who the peace & prosperity of our city.
"These Memphians work daily to help others who have such obstacles to overcome in their lives.....and it is done with God's love and provisions." Walker highlights those folks who give us a picture of the "Godly call to work quietly serving our fellow Memphians." (4Memphis, November/December 2022)

That my friend is what FEC calls "working smart".

Friday, September 30, 2022

A-MAZE-ING!

Memphis has received bad press lately---
going beyond the local and state level to national & world news.
But.....the September/October 2022 4MEMPHIS Memphis, delivered to my driveway, reminded me once again, 
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city 
in which I have placed you. (Jeremiah 29:7)
The same day, the nightly news shared another reminder! The Halloween maze will open once again but without the planting of corn in a design. A robot will now do all the work!
That was not the best reminder. The best reminder.....

....to me was recalling Acts 17:26. It was God who made all the nations ....to inhabit the whole earth, marking out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their dwelling place. (paraphrase & emphasis, mine) ESV verse 27 states God's purpose for those boundaries, "so that they should seek, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet, he actually is not far from each one of us." (Though it might sound like me, even "actually" is ESV, not mine)

4MEMPHIS publisher Jim Walker's comment said it well, "....brokenness is their inspiration to bear fruit by loving their fellow Memphians. (p.26) 

The A-MAZE-ING truth is that God is near me right here in Memphis; He has me here for a purpose, regardless of scary reports from Nightly News. (Psalm 34:18)

Thursday, September 15, 2022

PRAYER SUPPORT!

Prayer support! Where does one find that?
"At the foot of the cross," many would say!
Others sing:
"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear, What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!"

The BMH lobby sign says, "Bring your prayers to the Cross."

That's the prayer support one needs---to have a prayer friend/intercessor for our discouragement, sorrows, trials and temptations.
No specific direction given----anytime night or day......fill free to bring all prayer
requests to the cross and place them anywhere you desire! 

God all meet you there.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

4 MEMPHIS!

I am always 4Memphis.  Memphis has been His choice for me for past 68 years!  
I also am 4Memphis during the pandemic....God determined Memphis during college days to this day as the boundaries of my dwelling place. (Acts 17:24-26) May I serve well where He has placed me even when others are fed up and disowning.
Jeremiah starts it all---at the top of every magazine issue of 4MEMPHIS  "From the Publisher" page of the magazine.
"Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City in which I have placed you." (Jeremiah 29:7)

Such a worthy read in every publication I have seen.

Monday, October 26, 2020

SHOP LOCAL

I am a big fan of public libraries. I go there often to pick up the many books they "hold" for me. I love "my" librarians at the Poplar White Station Branch. They even recognize me behind my mask! 
I also read a local magazine publications. Think 4MEMPHIS. Not for the society news but for the From the Publisher page that always has Jeremiah 29:7 at the top!
Recently when reading was difficult, due to an "episode" in my occipital lobe, I counted on their Libby app for audio books.
But.....when I am unable to get a much desired book..............I shopped local!
I think that's scriptural. 
Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City in which I have placed you. (Jeremiah 29:7)
Put Jeremiah 29:7 into action. After praying for our city where the Lord has placed each of us........... SHOP LOCAL!

Sunday, September 20, 2020

A HEAPING SERVING OF SALT FOR MEMPHIS

Who would have thought that a "social" magazine would have more than just pictures of the party crowd.
4memphis was left at the end of  my driveway a few days ago and I left it on the bench. It's free at the grocery stores but who "goes" to grocery stores these days? Who goes to parties these days?
But..........the editorial page had me at the get-go! Jim Walker writes from the heart and he starts with scripture. A scripture worth heeding for the sake of our city.

Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City in which I have placed you.
 (Jeremiah 29:7, emphasis mine)

INFLUENCE--a word that can sound impressive but have no meaning. Today, especially in the media, influence can be used to move the heart or actions of someone else---whether for good or evil. Do these influencers care about truth anymore, he asks.

His next word, SALT reminded us of Lot's wife, who became a "pillar of salt" in Genesis 19:6. Salt, the very substance that preserves everything from decay. Salt, is not a flashy spice as Walker describes but an essential one, basic yet essential. Salt is not self-promoting but brings out the "flavor" of other ingredients. He commends the people and organizations he is associated with as full of salt, bringing joy and taste to the culture of our city. They are the seasoned with the "salt of service" often laboring and serving with little or no attention. Often underfunded, they continue to promote and nurture our city.
Jim Walter's editorial challenges all Memphians to be salt in the community by "ignoring the negative influence of the broadcast and social media and reach out in compassion to all God puts in your daily path. HEAR! HEAR! (Matthew 5:13)

Pick up a copy of "4MEMPHIS"from your driveway or  the next time you're at the grocery store. If you discarded it immediately, go dig it out of your recycle bin. Not for the social events though many of them are charities that benefit our 901 community, but for "From the Publisher" comments. 

For those of us who care about our city, it's worth the read

Friday, May 11, 2018

PEACE BEGINS .............

.....wherever we, the peacemakers, are located!
Seek peace and prosperity for your "town." It's a great place to start. The earlier, the better. That's why many SCS schools have an international fair as a culmination of their year long international studies! What an extravaganza! 
It all began with folk songs 
and dances with music from 10 countries, including Norway's Troll Dance.
Each grade focuses on a different country.But....the pre-school focuses on their town. Memphis. We met the "mayor," Elvis, a grizz and a miniature "Penny" along with the duck master of the Peabody Hotel with his ducks all in a row.. Each 4 yr. old knew their speech and then treated all visitors to BBQ (Central) as we left. 
Each grade presented information on their country through displays, speeches and other creative artsy ways.....from computer slide shows to pottery and hands on art. During the Russian tour we were treated to "bottle people" of famous astronauts, ballerina's and conductors, all created by the students.
Plus, an international food tasting......African fruits, French pastries and Nutella, Japanese sushi, Mexican tamales. Russian caviar, borscht and black tea along with good ole PBJ sandwiches from the USA!
Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it has prosperity, you will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7)
Seek peace and prosperity as Jeremiah says----wherever God has put you.
Why not start in an elementary school!

Friday, April 7, 2017

CHOOSE: TO LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

Words can come at us from every direction. A cacophony. Too loud to discern......
....But a picture can speak volumes enabling one's heart to "hear" with a quiet, yet distinct, voice.
In this instance, the Memphis representation of Jeremiah 29:7 by our pastor's wife, Lynn, spoke straight into my heart. It was her depiction of the verse which gave personal relevance to an already brewing conviction of my heart.

I desire to "work and pray" on behalf of "my" city, starting on "my" street, knowing that the Lord "...has determined the boundaries of my dwelling place." (Acts 17:26)

This "visual encounter" aided me in Choosing to Listen to My Heart."

Thursday, March 16, 2017

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE

Where does encouragement end and self-aggrandizement begin?
Scripture reminds us the importance of doing 3 things in secret; fasting, giving and praying.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6, KJV)
Certainly "the" closet, or war room as Priscilla Shirer states, is not just a "supply" closet. One doesn't just open the door to ask for "things" but rather to enter into the Lord's presence in order to strengthen one's relationship with Him.

My quandary yesterday was whether to tell someone "important" of my intercession on his behalf. While "lunching" with dear friend, Nancy E. downtown at The Little Tea Shop, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, came in.
He was greeted by many folks familiar to him. I, on the other hand, was in no way familiar to him. However, I felt compelled to approach him just to say thanks for  serving in a difficult position and working hard to protect our city. (Jeremiah 29:7)
My commendation was accompanied with a hug and the statement that I pray for him every Saturday. He replied saying, "I need at least 18 thank you hugs a day and I really need and appreciate your prayers."

Did I cross the line of encouragement? I hope not. I do think one's motive is revealed by one's heart attitude. I truly have been thankful for his intervention in so many impending crisis situations. Of course, blogging about it can up the level toward self-aggrandizement so I hope readers will see it as a reminder to choose encouragement----thank those who serve us and maybe even give them a hug.
First of all, then I urge that petitions, prayers and intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Therefore, I want men everywhere to pray.....(1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8, BSB--emphasis mine)
Then, if you choose to pray for them as well, and choose to encourage by sharing this intercession with another.....well, that's between you and God.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

A Picnic is a picnic is a....

....PICNIC!
A picnic is.......
  • An outing 
  • FOOD--folks bringing their own indigenous dishes 
  • Sunny and Breezy 
  • Scenic landscape 
  • Mississippi River lapping the rocky shore 
  • Squealing kids
  • Friendship
  • FUN!!!



Laughter, squealing, lip smacking eating.....are the same in any language.

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare. (Jeremiah 29:7)
When our city, in all its diversity, prospers----we prosper---so enjoy the picnic!