Gift From the Heart

12 day reminder from a friend---literally bound in Scripture. 

Called to be light and salt by the One "who is Light" and Love. Thanks to my dear friend for that "lovely" reminder---all 12 of them.

Heart-felt

Valentine's Day 2015.
A day of messages with Texas basketball video games, smiley icons from friends, texts that made me puddle and creative gifts/cards from grands.......

.....my fave flowers from my fave man. All appreciated.

My heart "felt" them all!

Celebrating Life

Celebrating life......even in the midst of death.

Last week's funeral of my sweet Aunt Evelyn Davenport was such a service of honor. At age 90, she had continued to serve others, albeit not with the same physical intensity as in earlier years, but continued service all the same. She did not waste time in her final season of life----but chose to continue to minister to others.

It was a time of celebration and affirmation. The morning of the service, as I prayed from John 14:1-3 for both Carl and Joy and the rest of the family, I asked the Lord to give them both comfort and assurance----that they might know Evelyn's heavenly destination was assured. Her faith in the Lord sealed it. Without a doubt. Not because of all the ministry which she had done but because God's word said, " Ye believe in God....and also believe in me.... that where I am, there ye may be also." When the pastor shared some of those verses as well, I felt AFFIRMATION in all caps and I hope they did as well!

Thus, this time of "remembrance".....for one feisty caring and kind lady from the "greatest generation"...... had been an honoring celebration of life.
Evelyn knew the Lord.  She was His beloved daughter.
The officiant and all her friends and family were praising her as a "woman who feared God."

"Her children arose and called her blessed." (Proverbs 31: 28-30)

Quite a celebration.....even though my tears flowed!

God-Speak

First and Foremost-----Know this----God speaks through His word!!!

Yet, occasionally, I can't help but see God's hand in "mysterious" instruction.
A "God-wink" of sorts, as Ann Martin says.

"Take Time for Family and Prayer. Always give Praise."
It's even quoted on their web page.

Thanks to Rucker's Candy for this sweet taste of God-Speak!

"Make do" Generation

I recycle. I make do. Is this mindset a part of aging?

Maybe it's being frugal. Maybe it's abhorring waste. Maybe it's environmental concern for my "grands" generation from this grandmother of the "mostly" cloth diaper generation.

Mother, and her generation, knew the value of "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" philosophy. I think I inherited just a touch of that.

Hubby says I gift wrap our garbage.

I know I'm an oddity in this throw it away, disposable society.
Replace. Buy new. Update seems to be the buzzword.

Maybe it's a subliminal message to self. I don't want someone to throw me aside or prefer an "updated" version. An "out with the old, in with the new" mentality.

Last year while "languishing in Leviticus," I did hold on to a verse that gave meaning to life in one's "winter" season.

You shall rise up before the gray-headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:32)

So....maybe youngins can cut us seniors some slack---accept us with all our idiosyncrasies and learn how to make-do---making the most of all that God has provided in your lives, even the old folks, whose paths you cross.

Chance or Condfidence

"Human pride loathes the suggestion that God orders everything, controls everything, rules over everything." (John MacArthur) Fate or chance defines the theology of the prideful.

I, along with many others, find confidence in God's sovereignty/

Rest : God-given

God's rest to His beloved is a gift. One just has to choose to accept it.

Do you ever feel such fatigue that you just want to "lie down in green pastures"...?(Psalm 23:2)

God provides green pastures of contentment and rest, refreshing and restoring the soul.

He even gives sleep to His beloved. (Psalm 127:2)

I think I'll let His fingers close my eyelids and take a nap. 

Around Town #4

What's with all the "Around Town" blog entries?

Part of it is in preparation to share all the activities going on in M-town with a group of widow ladies.

But....now it has become a conviction of my mine. There are good things happening in Memphis---regardless of what the front page of the Commercial Appeal says.
"Positively Memphis" is a way to continually confirm to me (and readers) the good aspects of Memphis. Think positively.

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted...(Proverbs 11:11)

So....I have set out to love my neighbors and thus love my town.

Dance to the Music

Do you ever get a song humming in your head? My toes tap. My feet want to get up and dance.

I don't even know all the words---but that little "Dum-dumm du-du-du-du-du-dum-dumm--Du-du-du-du-du-dum-dumm - du-du-du-du-du-dum-dumm" keeps whirring in my head.

Whose music is it anyway?

I need a song that "in my heart rings a melody." With a bit of heaven's harmony.

I want to dance to the music of my soul. A song that Jesus gives me. I want to dance with Him.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. (Psalm 40:3)

Around Town #3

Overton Square is on the rise.

"Thursdays Squared" was last summer's concert series and it showcased the energy that was pulsing thru this recently dubbed "Theater District." 

New restaurants there were also on everyone's culinary destination list. Babalu was my first find with their tableside "best guac on the bloc." 

Today's "find," Belly Acres, would be a "build your own burger" paradise for lovers of grain fed beef. I, on the other hand, was "rurally"enchanted by the decor and the unique street signs assigned with each order. 

I also have a quirky habit of checking out a restaurant's restroom---it's part of a  many a "lady's" dining experience. Since the restaurant's interior has been described as looking like "Willy Wonka" bought a farm," I knew checking our the restroom was a must. 

A bucket sink and straw on the walls----I was not disappointed.