MEDITATE AND MARINATE!

It is Monday! Meditation Monday!

Recently Pastor Scotty Smith added a new verb, think herb, to times of meditation. After this past week, it 's what I need.

His words. His power.

When one meditates, sometimes a little spice is needed, especially when one is aging and weary. Smith suggests "trusting the Lord with our fears and weaknesses.....especially as we meditate on His Word, marinate in the Gospel and keep your gaze tied on Jesus."

So....it's back to my prayer chair with gospel-icious meditation marinated with salt from the Psalms. (Psalm 71:18, Psalm 9:1, Psalm 40:5, Psalm 117:10, Psalm 96:3)

A WAY WITH WORDS!

It is one thing to be a wordsmith.....

but it's much rarer to express one's self in both words and art. EMYO does just that.

What a privilege it was to attend the launch at Dixon Gallery and Gardens last week of her book, Marisol's Dress. It began with a reading by Emily herself with the accompanying Spanish translation as her mom sat in the audience.

The story itself was inspired by her mother's journey from Cuba during the revolution as she fled the communist revolution there with only her abuela, one white dress that twirled and only one doll to a place across the blue ocean where she knew no one and did not even know the language spoken there.She carried her Mama's words in her heart. 

Remember you are brave and you are loved.

When lonely in her room in America, Marisol has only white paper and some pencils. A great truth enters her mind.

She realized what she had in front of her was enough for today.

The book encourages all to face hardship with courage....

When life gives you lemons, make paper dolls.

EMYO's book has young readers searching for lemons on every page.

From the large impressionist art works from which the illustrations were drawn to the unique words and phrases included, the book itself is truly a complete  work of art.

Marisol's Dress is so special to me because the book depicts the life of EMYO's mom, a dear, dear friend of mine. It also can inspire others, regardless of the age, to know they are brave and loved in the midst of challenges.

Needless to say, I will pass this treasure on to each of my granddaughters.

PUZZLED!

PUZZLED!

I've always heard, the 3 stages of life are...youth, adulthood and "my you're looking well!" When you reach the last stage you are checking the last box on all forms---65 or older!

Yesterday, I went to teach Bible Study at Town Village, a residence for "senior" living. I had hoped to "bless" their day through sharing God's word with them and to encourage them to be steadfast in their faith.

These folks continue to "walk with the Lord"---even if that walk is a bit unsteady or includes a cane, a walker or a wheelchair. One came fresh out of the shower so his wife had to save him a seat. His strength has been a bit "spent" lately but he didn't want to miss. He brings with him a sense of humor that lifts us all. Pretending to take a bite of the "apple" of our object lesson had all of us laughing. He is one who continues to "fight the fight" to finish the race and keep the faith.

There was fellowship in that room of "mature" people on the same side of the physical struggles brought on by aging. Other trials and problems as death of friends and family to loneliness and diminishing finances are shared but not despaired. 

How can that be? Puzzled? Not really. They have remembered to "number their days and apply their hearts to wisdom" (Psalms 90:12) so they show up.
They know aging can be a blessing for Christians.

This framed puzzle, put together by some of the residents of Town Village, says more to me than the beautiful teacups of the finished work. Their eyesight might be dimming and their frail hands translucent with visible purplish veins..... but together they keep the faith, 

encourage each other and complete a masterpiece. 

I go to bless others---but everytime I teach, I am the one who is truly blessed. 

PUZZLED? No....that's the way God works. 

A NATION HONORS A PRESIDENT & PATRIOT

George H. W. Bush, the 41st US President, who died Friday, November 30, 2018,  is lying in state at the US Capitol. Though our nation is in mourning for the loss of this exemplary man, it is also extolling his moral character and service to his country. 

All the pageantry due a US President, who served in the military during wartime, was breaking news on TV this afternoon. How grateful I am for that interruption. How encouraging to see the respect and gratitude poured out on the Bush family.

Not only was President Bush's legacy honored but his faith was front and center also. As the casket proceeded to the steps of the Capitol two hymns of faith were played. "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." Hooray to the Bush family for not worrying about political correctness but only about honoring their "Pop" and his faith.

How fitting was the glorious sunset provided by the Creator God of the universe as one of His beloved's casket entered the rotunda of the US Capitol. 

Thank you Lord for a godly man who passed on His faith to the next generation. (Psalm 71:18, Psalm 145:5)

3 FUNERALS IN 3 DAYS

Life lessons can be learned anywhere, even in the midst of death!
Many different lessons I learned as I attended 3 funeral events, three days straight. Some lessons varied.
However, the one constant, in the lives honored, was  that of a godly life well lived.
A spiritual heritage!
Having heard eulogies and commendations from family members of the deceased, I understood their true legacy. Not just an "inheritance," which more often than not, is equated in financial terms.

I couldn't tell you anything about those "inheritances" they left to others, but I clearly saw the legacy their lives had imparted to each of their loved ones.

They hid God's word & deeds of faithfulness in their hearts and then shared them throughout their lives. That's the legacy they left, each in his own way.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

Their faithfulness has endured to all generations----at least their "generations" I have met and known. (Psalm 119:90; Psalm 145:4)

They left a legacy. So what's the one BIG life lesson from the 3 funerals?

One must a have a legacy in order to leave a legacy!

"Prosperi-TEA for Posteri-TEA"

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:18, ESV)

Prosperity means many things. For most it indicates affluence based on a healthy bank statement. In both scripture and Winnie the Pooh, it can indicate "milk and honey." For the Christian, prosperity goes beyond one's calculated financial wealth. Prosperity for all Christians is made up of faithfulness to and trust in the Lord----regardless of their bank statement. Most of us know believers who have eked out , scratched by and suffered "lack" most of their lives, yet lived lives of utter fidelity to God. How prosperous are they!!

A "Prosperity Gospel" imagines the Lord as a "vending machine" God. This health and wealth gospel teaches that all one has to do is believe and receive, as they ask for God's blessings. The prosperity gospel is a half-truth, perhaps less.
Yes, God is good. God is faithful and God does bless His people, but God.....the one true God of the Bible is the God who will see us through regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes blessings are obvious and it is easy to thank Him. Other times when it seems times are so hard that one is not experiencing the blessing of God, one can still trust that God is there,  just waiting for us to turn to Him, and learn that in loving Him we have life's deepest blessing.

Posterity, on the other hand, indicates a future generation of people. People who need to know the truth of God's faithfulness. Who will tell them? Who will pass on the prosperity that accompanies a life of true faithfulness to the Lord?

As Crickett teaches," God is more interested in our character than our comfort." Our faithful character will be our legacy for posterity.

If one wants to pass on prosperity for posterity, he/she needs more than a T-shirt to tell of God's truth. The whole truth will be told by their life.

Serve a cuppa of true prosperi-TEA for the posteri-TEA of the next generation.

"connectivi-TEA"

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18, NASB)

iPads, iPhones, iPods, e-mail on my iMAC----so many devices to allow me to stay connected with my grands. (grandchildren) But....do they allow me the ability to connect spiritually? Maybe in the not so distant future, when I no longer have voice or possibly can't even find my brain, then hopefully this blog will continue to be a reminder of God's truth that was such a part of their grandmother's life. That's the legacy I want to leave them. A life well-lived. A life lived for God.

A cuppa connectivit-TEA sweetened with a God-filled legacy to keep my "grands" and me connected on the spiritual level in the years to come, regardless of the condition of my mind or body.

***Interestingly enough---this thought was on my mind 4 years ago today as I blogged about the "grands" visiting. Very similar activities---we even have a "tummy bug" once again. Plus, now there's another boy in the family. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Scriptural Nudges

PRAYERS OF A 4 YEAR OLD
"Pray again, Pop-Pop. We forgot to pray for protection."

For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,

But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

NEARING HOME
 a book not just about dying but about living well as  one ages

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,

Until I declare Your strength to this generation,

Your power to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18)

HOPE BLOOMED!

The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I have hope in Him. (Lamentations 3:24)

DRENDA'S FLOWERS
Light on her yellow tulips, my favorite, have me remembering the Lord.

……the LORD, 
Who gives the sun for light by day.......(Jeremiah 31:35)

PHOTO WORKSHOP ASSIGNMENT: SHADOWS

Keep me as the apple of the eye;

Hide me in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalm 17:8)

 

Sh-h-h-h…..Pop-Pop is napping

3/21/10 Sure is quiet around here. It is a serene Sunday of sorts --- a stark contrast to what it was just a few hours ago, before the Texans left. In fact, I feel lonely and sad.

Eventually, (still moving slowly from aftermath of tummy bug) the train room will once again be the living room, the carport will house 2 cars rather than a putting green, “kiddie” golf cart and a hockey rink and the parking lot for the red wagon and the little red car will revert to the laundry room.

Eventually, (NY guests arrive in 5 days) clean linens will be on all the beds and the linen closet will be replenished. Tummy viruses (5 victims & counting) call for lots of middle of the night bed changes. Why is it that such “episodes" always seem to occur at night?????????????

It’s enough to give you gray hair---which yesterday’s haircut revealed. No matter how sick you are, you keep that hair appointment. It’s a female rule and I stand by it. Besides, Larry was well enough, at that time, to drive me.

Was it a fun week with 4 little boys ages 22 months to 8 years? Unbelievably fun! I am so grateful to be given this time with them. Were we able to share our heritage in the Lord with them? Yes, indeed! Would I do it again? You bet----just not next week.

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18)