BLOG IMAGES ??

Because you asked.......most of Dotsy Details blog entry pictures are captured by an iPhone 7. Cell phones make it so much easier & more spontaneous than it did when I carried around my BIG Canon Rebel or even my smaller Canon PowerShot. The transfer from my cell phone is almost automatic.

Thus, if something catches my eye, I snap it---usually because it triggers an idea of a blog entry.

Monday's Dotsy Details entry was from two such happenings of spontaneity. The "Over Yonder" picture was taken from a napkin label in the "Over Yonder" restaurant in Valle Crucis, NC.

There was also a t-shirt for sale. Though my childhood represented the saying I didn't like the price, so I just took a picture. Looking at the picture brought back memories of a fun weekend with friends. Most pictures I take have a story.
I included a "neck of the woods" picture to emphasize direction. but then I came across the same phrase with a heart gripping story of spiritual direction. The simple wall hanging was on the door of a resident at the KDS nursing  home. Leaving the room of one of our July birthday residents I passed the door.

Standing outside the door was a woman who inquired about "my" health. As we chatted, she revealed that she was 95 and she had been visiting here weekly for the last 45 years. I assumed she was here visiting her husband, but it was her 51 year old grandson who had been a patient since he was 6 yrs. old. as result of severe injuries from an auto accident when his grandfather was at the wheel. His parents also continue to share those weeks so that family is always there. The door hanging represented the good times he had with his grandparents as a youngster--- as all of them loved camping together. She assumed that when the Lord called her home, her grandson would follow in a few months and vice versa. Until then, she thanks the Lord for all the times she has been able to have with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I was a bundle of emotions as I left---with a heart that was both sad and glad. Sad for a family whose son/grandson had experienced so few years of mobility in life and glad that God's steadfast love & grace had been so obvious in their lives as they cared for him.

But make no mistake---if you're feeling blessed not to have such "tragedy" in your life, they feel blessed because God gave them Chris. Circumstances are secondary to their great love for him.

DIRECTIONAL DIALECTS

Do you ever wonder how God translates all our prayers. Not just in different languages but through myriads of dialects.

I grew up in a small town and we had our own vernacular. Think colloquialisms with a little regional dialect factored in, i.e. "Kentucky hick". We were the ones who didn't "chicken out" in red rover or crack the whip on the playground. One's mom could be "fixin' to" get the switch if you "din't mind" her. If your actions were really bad/disobedient she would threaten to "skin you alive" or "tan your hide".  If it were Saturday you could pretty much "reckon" that you'd be sittin' on the same pew tomorrow as you did every Sunday.

If you asked for directions, a simple finger point and the words "just down the road a piece" was only understood if you were from our "neck of the woods."

"Over yonder" was also a directional term frequently used if the place was within sight of the one giving the direction. It's just over yonder thru that field a ways.

Linguists or grammarians might describe small town talk as esoteric---but that descriptor would be too formal for our ears and one "might of" had to get out the Websters for direction to that definition.

God hears when we call out. Right into His ears regardless of language or dialect. (Psalm 18:6)

God gives understanding in a language all can understand. (Psalm 119:130)

How grateful I am that His word gives me directions I can understand.
Words that go directly to my heart.

Even if I'm "over yonder" in my thoughts, reading His word can pull me back in for godly wisdom with will give light to my path as I go the right direction.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY

If there's one thing I've discovered on our NE USA trek is food. Trust me, if it's seafood or blueberries, I have eaten it. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
All sorts of food are lawful to eat but not all is profitable. Think sufficient to superfluous!

Holy doughnuts----made with Maine mashed potatoes.
They're worth the drive!!

THANKFUL THURSDAY RECAP FROM DownEast MAINE

The earth is the LORD'S and the fulness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)

Great FULNESS of God's creation caught in a small cell phone, which did not do it justice but does evoke great mind pictures of the experience.  How easy it is to give thanks for such days---even in fog and mist, (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I learned that even the acceptance of weather can be an attitude of the heart.

I stood amazed in the surrounds of DownEast as the residents "dub" this eastern coastal section of Maine.....from early morning to setting sun. From the granite pink rock...

...and the balance rock along Bar Harbor Shore Path as we began our "misty, cool"day with a stroll.

...to the boat ride past Bear Island and the Bear Island lighthouse, located in the community of Cranberry Isles on our way to Isleford in Little Cranberry....

with an abundance of foliage both natural....

 ....and cultivated...

...to the home of one of the kindest men the Lord has ever created "to dwell therein" His world---Ashley Bryan ...

...who captures creation in his own style to share with others. Regardless of the style, (oils, puppets, collage, stained glass) Ashley does it all---while giving thanks to the Father! (Colossians 3:17)

LESSONS FROM A LIGHTHOUSE

Metaphorically speaking, Christians should be lighthouses for God’s kingdom, internally and externally. May our inner light manifest itself as a reflection to others of Jesus, the One who is the “Light.” (John 8:12 & 9:5)

Curtis Lighthouse, Camden Maine

Ram Island Ledge Light

Thus, seeing first hand lighthouses along the northeast coast of Maine, I was reminded that I, too, am to be a lighthouse for the Lord, standing firm & praying for others in their storms.

Portland Head Light

 Lighthouses are built to protect. 

Lighthouses stand strong and firm in the storm. Portland Head Light has stood since commissioned by President George Washington in 1787.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse South Portland, ME 

Though built in Fort William for protection, I like what evangelist, Dwight Moody said, “ Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining---they just shine" just as Bass Harbor Light in the FOG!

Lighthouses are built to serve--even as inspiration for this Arizona artist at Owl's Head Lighthouse.

A light to guide us “home.”

Rockland Breakwater Light--1.7 mile walk over boulders with water splashing over our feet. I was glad to reach a "home" of solid ground!

God's love is like a lighthouse---a bright light of love reaching out to us through the darkness of any storm as I prayed for dear friend, Winslow. Shedding God's love abroad.
 A great reminder during my eastern shore travels---

See a lighthouse--Be a lighthouse!

MONDAY: A DAY OF MISTY MORNING MAGIC & FOGGY FUN

Text to follow----have to use wifi when I have it  But weather did not put a damper on this "magical" day!!!

SUNDAY FROM START TO FINISH

Congdon's Doughnuts---what a great way to start the day.......

 ....Followed by a meandering birding walk to help cut all those previously ingested calories.

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)

READ, READ, READ....REPEAT

Morning, noon, and night reading is a BIG part of Lucy's day.

 READ, READ, READ....REPEAT

Read, eat, read, beach, eat, library trip, read, cook dinner, read bedtime stories from Tuck-Me-In Tales. Repeat Daily: Read. Eat. Beach. Read. Eat. read. Sleep.

 

"Thank you, God" prayers and a goodnight kiss. AND--- Yes, Lucy we will read another chapter in Gooney Bird Greene tomorrow. That is "absolutely true."

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you O Lord make me dwell in safety.”(Psalm 4:8)

TEMPERING OUR TASTE BUDS

Taste buds number 4 if you just count sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Nowadays, others add a 5th tastebud--umami. Umami, discovered by a Japanese soup lover, it has a characteristic savory flavor of soy, mushrooms, parmesan cheese and Marmite.

My first experience with that Brit loving spread, convinced me I'll never  use Marmite to explore the 5th taste bud.

Researchers say there are 10,000 hairs on our tongue which make up our tastebuds. A hairy mouth seems a YUKY thought, even if they are microscopic. TMI, right?

All this to say, sweet and salty are my fave buds. Just like in my spiritual life, I'm one who prefers the sweetness of God's word as well as wanting to be salt and light in the world. Sour moments in life and the bitterness of hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12) can make me "sick" at my stomach.

On this "pondering my palate day" I realize that bitterness is distasteful and sometimes I try to "stuff it" or just leave it simmering on a back burner. But bitterness can spill over and ruin the taste of everything if one doesn't deal with it. (Hebrews 12:15) A good reminder for those seeking to deal with bitterness---"taste your words before you spit them out!"

Disappointment or discouragement from pity, unfulfilled expectations and self-imposed comparisons with others can lead to bitterness. Bitterness that alters the sweet taste of today's relationships and fellowship. All bitterness...... must be put away from you. (Ephesians 4:31)


Even the literary world from the Bible to O'Connor and Shakespeare are aware of this.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. (Psalm 62:5)

To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness. (Flannery O'Connor)

But O' how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes. (Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing Act 5 scene 2) 

Chew on these literary quotes. May the understanding they give be your "Pepto" today for overeating those thoughts and words bitter to your taste.
Worry. Comparison. Why Me?
Even Marmite tastes better than those!

HOPE NOTES

Hope fulfilled shows in one's countenance. (Psalm 15:13)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12)

Who is your hope? What do you hope? Why do you hope? 

Therefore, consider what you hope for and put your trust in the One who is your eternal hope, regardless of the current outcome!