Easing into and Enjoying a Day..........

4/17/13  ....the "Blackberry" way.

Starting the day with yummy, healthy breakfast, good conversation and an abundance of laughter.

Celebrating Blackberry Farm's Master Gardner,  John Coykendall's, 70th birthday .

Ah-h-h-h those rocking chairs and that view!

BF luncheon appetizer with the BEST bleu cheese ever

Wine cellar tour at The Barn----and Doris got a box.

Farmer John and "his" visiting ladies

MOUNTAIN MAJESTY

4/16/13 A picture is worth a 1,000 words as the old adage goes.

This plaque says it all.........

....except I would swap the word lucky for blessed and add....especially if one is with 3 great friends at Blackberry Farm!

God Speaks--- "Hearing God's Voice in Creation"

4/14/13 Last week's word search on "simple" lead me to meditate on Psalm 19 which lead me to an Old Testament reminder of God speaking in a general way through creation. His fingerprints are carried throughout nature. That speaks volumes to me. God speaks through nature. Springtime has His voice singing to me. In living color! A colorful melody.....but His voice all the same. No wonder this song was written by David "for the director of music." 

The heavens declare the glory of God;
 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Mayapples covering the Greenline Trail

God also speaks through His people. As we worked all day Saturday at the Kingdom Camp, I thought of what our actions were saying to those who would enjoy the fruits of our labor. When we are the hands and feet of Jesus, His love to others speaks through us. I hope the kids who walk those trails and pathways we created will hear His voice and heed.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: In the Pink of Memphis Springtime

4/14/15 Remember Robert Browning's "Pippa Passes"---at least the "innocent parts?" I do because my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Munday, whom we called "Miss Alice" used it to proclaim God given moral order. (Back in the day when you could do that sort of teaching in public school.)

The year’s at the spring, Day's at the morn..........
God’s in His heaven—
All’s right with the world!

I see God all over our Memphis springtime! 

At my feet on the Greenline walk

Pink cherry blossoms against a blue sky

Pink shades of the tulip 

The Terry's bright neighborly border

"My" Molly's azalea, planted in 1979---just beginning to bloom

Have mercy, O God!

4/13/13 The entry I had intended for today seemed too frivolous to post. Our neighborhood is grieving as "one of us" lost her son yesterday. The pain. The grief. The blow to the heart, the stomach, the psyche and every other part of her being is so evident. The tears of his sister. Her grief and deep love for her brother written in her eyes and seen all over her tear-stained face. The hugs, shared tears and other  attempts of comfort from neighbors and friends seems like so little. What can one do but cry out for God's mercy! But God, who is rich in mercy, (Ephesians 2:4) is plenteous in mercy to all them that call on Him. (Psalm 86:5b)

In Memory*

of

William Grove

1972-2013

loving son, devoted brother, caring father

He will be sorely missed, especially by sons Max (9) & Wyatt (4)

* A beautiful memorial service was held at his family's home in the outside "sanctuary"created by his mother, Lynda, a true master gardener. His life was celebrated on a glorious and sunny Saturday--even the neighborhood hawk came to pay a visit.

"POURED OUT"

4/12/13 I am no Paul, though I do have a Barnabas in my life---a friend of spiritual encouragement. Today she even came to my back door with just the book I needed in my consideration of "strategic service." 

I sat in my prayer chair with Bible and journal open, books scattered here and there and poured my self a "cuppa." And then I asked myself, "Am I willing to be "poured out" for others. 

The Lord is teaching me anew in an ongoing struggle. Life lessons that I need.

But God.....poured out His Spirit and spoke to me through His Word. Relevant scripture had me thinking of sharing these truths & life lessons

with others in an intentional way.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2: 1-4)

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. (Philippians 2:17)

Pour me out, Lord.

Simply seeking.....

4/10/12 Seeking.............

• simple faith 
• simple sustenance
• simple serenity

....for  sacrificial giving, strategic service and sowing seeds of hospitality.

 A simple quote from C. S. Lewis and a simple scripture passage kept me focused.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.  (Classic quotes collection, C. S. Lewis)

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29: 9-18)

Simply said, it's all about seeking Him.

There's a Psalm for that....

4/8/13 Relating recently to friend Wynellen that I was once again "camped-out" in the Psalms, I actually felt guilty about that admission. It's been a year and a half now and I'm still there. I've even intentionally included praying and meditating in selected psalms on birthdays of friends and family.

So, why should I feel guilty? Possibly because I can "do guilt" very well. I think I was afraid that I was in a milk-toast study. I so loved the psalms that I didn't desire to move on, at least not during my quiet times of prayer and reflection. During study times, I am in Genesis and Ecclesiastes. (Listen to me---trying to defend my "guilty" choice of Psalms, as if any book of Scripture isn't a worthy choice, in and of itself!!!)

Summer 2010, son's Allen Bible Church did a series on "Engaging God and One Another thru the Psalms." 

So....I reread some of those blog notes to remind myself that Psalms are profitable for any season." "Psalms that can help me personally keep engaging God right where I am." (Buddy, 6/13/10)

RIGHT NOW I need a psalm of intercession---there's a psalm for that.....

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)

That Psalm is Psalm 5----for such a time as this.......in this person's season---a Psalm just for that.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Fix-up, Clean-up in the neighborhood

4/8/13 When the rain finally subsided, many neighbors came out anxious to begin Spring cleaning.....in both the house and the yard. 

He changes times and seasons; (Daniel 2:21) and in Memphis on our street, we are ALL so grateful for that truth.

All the tools needed, even safety glasses,  for  Owen to help Pop-Pop.

Not sure what this neighbor has in mind but I think I'd like to follow suit...if it results in less stuff.

Snack in one hand and rake in the other,  Miss A is ready to help Daddy. Love the boots!

LANGUISHING

4/5/13 "Languishing in Leviticus"---pretty much sums up our recent struggles. As part of Allen Bible Church's spring reading plan hubby reads aloud the selected chapter each week night. Reading through Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy together as a church for their "Mobile with Moses" reading plan. Possibly prep for a study of the life of Moses. 

Languishing does seem an appropriate descriptor as the chapters often seem repetitive on blood and other bodily fluids, sacrifices, disease cleansing and rigorous food prep rituals. Those events seem to lack vitality for us in search "help" in our daily walk. But God.....has inspired all scripture so we keep trudging on. 

Languishing as one studies can occur, sometimes without warning---as can languishing in one's belief. But, as Pastor Cole reminded in Sunday's message, if such "belief" languishing starts, "Believe it until you believe it."

Understanding the procedure for the Israelites rituals is not as important to remember as is the truth that a Great Savior has died for all our sins!

As the father in Mark 9:24 called out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Don't languish in your belief, cry out to the Lord!