SCATTERED, SMOTHERED, COVERED & _______________!

Sometimes it seems so difficult to live a spirit-filled life in a "Waffle House World."

Waffle House defines its hashbrowns as scattered, smothered and covered.
Lately that describes my life. Scattered. Smothered. Covered.
Scattered thinking is putting it lightly for  my ADD--"Always Distracted Dotsy"!
Smothered with an unrelenting schedule. My calendar is a jumble with crossed out appointments, rescheduled doc visits and interrupted plans, think "shingles". "Tyranny of the urgent" seems to reign while I try so hard to get a handle on it.
Covered in doubts and fears and a lethargy that has a way of zapping my zeal. Yet, I believe. (Mark 9:24)
Sadly, I could add "out of focus or overwhelmed" to my blank. Yet, that's not the desire of my heart.

So....I pray---whether I feel like it or not.

A.W. Tozer quoted Dr. Moody Stuart, who said, "Pray until you pray."

That's my plan for the day---barring no interruptions.

Sa-TEA-sfaction of Answered Prayers

A cuppa served in Tyler's Georgia Tech gift mug was a satisfying way to begin my day! It spoke of kindness and generosity of a young adult, who has been the focus of my Saturday prayers for many years. 

Watching him hug his "Grammy" recently at The Varsity evoked all these memories!

It also stirred my heart to pray for all my Saturday "Kingdom Kids," especially those in college, that they not grab at the "things" the word offers. May they empty themselves today and fill themselves with "all the fulness of God" as they grasp the deep love of Christ, which is the only true and lasting satisfaction! (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Memories from a mug of sa-TEA-sfaction and God's Word satisfied me this morning with a reminder of "God's steadfast love." (Psalm 90:14) 

BROTHERLY LOVE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER BUDDY!

If one's birth order places her in the "middle" it can be a BIG blessing if she is the opposite gender---such was my placement. Born between two brothers who are caring and who carefully continue to follow Mother's final days instruction to "take care of Dotsy," I am doubly blessed. (Proverbs 6:20)

Beloved, let us love one another".......(1 John 4:7)

As my older brother reminded me two years ago, he has always been "beside" me. How right he is. He sent me the proof in the pix below. 

Even as we aged and "little" brother, Bobby, out grew us all at 6'5", there was always room for me in the middle----right between them.

Of all the folks left on this earth, brother Buddy has known me the longest, stood beside me the longest and loved me the longest. How grateful I am! 

On his birthday, I lift birthday prayers of praise and thanksgiving for him in my life----yet I know I'm the one who has received the gift of an "always beside me brother."

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS

Maitins to begin the morning. Praises from the song of my heart and the First English Prayer Book.

Finally, a Texas family photo.

Worship Time at ABC with son at the helm.

Church Picnic.....with food, fun, fellowship....

...games, games......

....and more games where grown men joined in the kid's "don't touch the trash can game" fun

...until the sun started to go down and families headed home....

grateful for clear skies, cool breezes & a perfect picnic day!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, ESV)

All the people had done just that---and this person said, "A-men!"

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!