MEASURE OF A MAN

How does one define a man?

As one of our male grands once put it after reading a movie marquee...how will I know when I am an adult?

Age might determine adulthood on a ticket price. 

But....how does one define a man?

Does age always define a man? 

Age of maturity?

Does 21 sound about right?

I've known several 21 year olds who fall short of that definition.

How does one "measure" a man?
There are many varied aspects of maturity which one can use to measure a man's maturity. 

From a philosopher, an author and a former Sooner quarterback/politician to civil rights  activist and a 17 C English clergyman----many folks have stated their opinions on the "measure of a man."

• The measure of a man is what he does with power. (Plato)
• If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. (J. K. Rowling)
• The measure of a man is not how great his faith is, but how great his love is. We must not let government programs disconnect our souls from each other. (J. C. Watts) 
• The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. (Martin Luther King, Jr ) 
• If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives. (Robert South)   

A better question might be, "How does God measure a man?"

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

WOW FROM TEXAS!

WOW for PopPop's early morning picture while returning from Andrew's walk to school!

A double rainbow!

WWOW for  Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom from God's Word.

When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. (Genesis 9:16)

WOW for a covenant keeping God!

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9)

WOW!  WOW!! WOW!!!

SUNRISE--SUNSET

Thankful Thursday ( 9/20/18 without WiFi) had me thanking the Lord for travels with friends and remembering family travels from east to west this summer. Anytime loved ones travel, it seems I implore the Lord to open their eyes to see His creation and also to see the glory of the Creator.

The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Bowman Lake--Glacier National Park--August 3, 2018

From the rising of the sun to the setting....The name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

New Suffolk (Long Island) New York--July 13, 2018

All That's Good and Great and True

Mercies dawn with every day, 

Newer, brighter than before;

And the sun's declining ray

Layeth others up in store. 

(Geodfrey Thring, Anglican clergyman, 1863)

TESTIMONY OF AN UBER DRIVER

Do we speak it or do we wear it? Our testimony, that is!

Sharonda literally wears hers---on her ears. JoLynn pointed that out to me and then I saw the crosses dangling from her lobes. My ears had already heard the kindness in her voice.

This morning as I was having my cuppa, the word "tes-TEA-mony" came to mind followed by thoughts of Sharonda, our "Sha-Sha full of sunshine." (Matthew 5:16)

I wonder if she knows the T-Cups dubbed her that?

What a reminder that it is for our actions to share Jesus, not just our words.

In our daily lives it's so easy to relegate Jesus to the back seat.

Jesus rode in the front seat with Sharonda. I know because I noticed her pink Bible right up there with her. How grateful I am to the Lord that he allowed our paths to cross with hers! One who not only loves the Lord but goes above and beyond & sometimes even out of her way, to bless others.

"Question to Self"---is Jesus seen front and foremost in my life? 

Does he ride alongside throughout the day?

Have I moved Him to the backseat or shoved Him in the trunk where He is unseen.

Not Sharonda! Our "ray of SONshine" has Jesus in the driver's seat right along with her, as she allows Him to steer her way!

MUCH OBLIGED

Old fashioned? Maybe.
Small Town only?  Maybe.

Southern? Probably.
Polite? Definitely!

A Daddy phrase often heard by his daughter





I will be "much obliged" if you
are patient, waiting on my next entry.

TEA-RRIFIC TRIO

The most difficult person in my life is "moi."

God wants me to love the ones I don't understand.
God wants me to get to know their names,.
God wants me to accept, not to label. (p. 43)

This and many other stories from the author's life can draw one's attention to truth from God's word in a variety of "real life" situations.

In previous weeks, I have shared stories from this book with family, a dear friend, Carolyn McKenzie who was at the Jewish Home rehab and in a Town Village Bible Study.
The chapter which struck the "aha" cord from everyone, along with tickling their funny bone, was "Bucket List." A good read for drawing one's attention to "What's in Your Bucket?"

Tas-TEA cuppa, TEA-larious book & TEA-rrific read, What a trio!

WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK

When hubby spoke at his dear friend Charlie Mazzone's funeral yesterday, he commented that Charlie always told him, "I've got your back." Everyone knew those words came out of their deep, trusting friendship which spanned 40 + years. They both knew they had each others back because they knew each other so well.

I thought about that today as the tree climbers in the tall tree in the backyard had me fearful. I was so tense when I watched the climber going higher and higher and higher. I was more fearful than he. He "knew" who was holding his rope and trusted him. Implicit trust. A trust based on confidence in the one whom he knows.

Christians have faith in the One whom they know. The One who always has their back. An assurance that grows the more we spend time with the Lord in His word and get to know Him better.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,  that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)...

...and give thanks to the One who has our back, especially during times of struggle.

s l o w i n g VERBS NEEDED

Wordsmith Wednesdays seem to frequently have me exploring verbs. I have spent several years focusing on dance in both the verb and noun parts of speech. However, the last 2 years I have focused on a single "action" verb each year. I know because in 2017 I logged over 200 "choose" blog entries. Sunday, I reread a "choose" entry on nearness of God as I was praying for others through Psalm 73. 2018's verb focus has been "consider" and I've learned in all my actions, it's important to "consider" Him first! (Hebrews 12:3) 

I might need to focus more on Him today as I seem to be  growing weary and losing heart, as the rest of the verse states. Lysa Terkeurst's Embraced, stated, "We run at a breakneck pace to try and achieve what God wants us to slow down enough to receive. (p.19)

Maybe I need to focus more on "to be" verbs ----verbs of being, not action.

Maybe for me, a compromise is needed---action verbs indicating a slower speed.

Amble. Linger. Relax. Soak. Be still. Bask. Be refreshed.

Pause before speaking.

Pause before seeking.


Slowing verbs might be just what I need. How about you?
.

FOUR WORD TRUTHS

Simple.

Straight forward.
4 words of truth.

Four words for focus.

1. I live in you. (Galatians 2:20)
2. I give you strength. (Isaiah 40:29 & Psalm 59:16)
3. I am with you. (Joshua 1:9)
4. You are My Beloved. (Song of Solomon 2:16)

Beloved, we are God's. Therefore, we will benefit when we focus on these  4-word truths as we start our Monday with meditation!

FELLOWS' FELLOWSHIP

Gals have friends. Childhood friends, college friends, garden club friends, Bible study friends & neighbors.

Guys, not so much.
Unless you are Larry Liles and Charlie Mazzone.

Larry and Charlie in their Starsky and Hutch years in the 70s.
From lots of hair, even facial hair, to "glow in the dark" white hair and less hair!

Friends from the "get-go." From the competitiveness in sports at arch-enemy high schools---to ping- pong and cork ball duels at Memphis State/UM. Games of fervor!
Fellow coaches from the university supporting each other's chosen sport. Handball & Racquetball-- even being doubles partners in senior racquetball tourneys. Traveling to Las Vegas, Colorado, Houston and to Jacksonville or just across town to Redbird's stadium to "be there" for encouragement as well as celebrating awards. UM Silver M Club. Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame.
So many stories. Heartwarming to hilarious!

"Ranger Years" at Shelby Farms. "Ranger Down. Ranger Down!" Oh the stories they tell! (Most not appropriate for this public blog.) From the saddle of a horse to the cold, wet seats of a fishing boat, or under water with their scuba gear at Lake Ouachita & breakfast around a campfire--a terrific twosome having fun.
Sharing the winnings on the floor at Circus Circus, in the earlier years, to sharing the load of care when each has had turns in the hospital in more recent years. They are there for each other.

A comic duo of sorts.  Think, Laurel and Hardy. "And what will you have Stanley? I'll have Tutti-Fruiti!" Being in the car with them as one tells the other how to drive is also a "road rage event" with Charlie threatening to get out of the car.

A friendship that has spanned the decades---and matured from friendship to fellowship, "walking in the light as He is the light." (1 John 1:7)
A friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17) and the friendship/fellowship of these two exemplifies just that!!
All genders could learn the value of friendship topped off with true fellowship from this dynamic duo!