GOD'S BEAUTIFUL WORLD

The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)

This past summer, Hubby and I experienced such fulness as we trekked from Long Island to Maine, in and out of coastal towns through park paths and hidden walkways.

We experienced nature as God's beautiful creation---through which, He was able to teach us, speak to us and provide for us.

1. For the beauty of the earth,
   For the beauty of the skies,
   For the love which from our birth
   Over and around us lies,
2. (Chorus)
   Lord of all, to thee we raise
   This our hymn of grateful praise.
3. 2. For the beauty of each hour
   Of the day and of the night,
   Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,
   Sun and moon, and stars of light
4. Chorus)
   Lord of all, to thee we raise
   This our hymn of grateful praise.

A-men and A-men! 

Today I saw it again---in the ordinary aftermath of a fall rain. Right on my doorstep. Raindrops from Him on a single pumpkin created for such a season as this.

God's creation is beautiful no matter the location.

EXPERIENCE THE GLORY! : INTERNATIONALLY

I love Ukraine! I love Ukrainians! I pray for Ukraine. Anyone who knows me, knows that.
Therefore, the chance to meet more Ukrainians was a no-brainer for me. But....to be so thoroughly entertained by their music was a BIG blessing for me.
America the Beautiful started the performance and it was a glorious rendition! "This Little Light of Mine" and it's familiar tune was a delight to hear in their language as was the praise chorus, "Bless the Lord,  Oh My Soul."
They shared fun, frolicking folk songs so easily understood even though we (at least I) didn't know the language.

Two pieces shared were composted by members of the group. An instrumental by the pianist's daughter and a hymn of prayer by one of the female vocalists. (to left in picture)

This group could sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" in three languages. English. Russian. Ukrainian. GLORY!

As my heart was moved by the music, my soul was moved by the ministry of this group who go into war-torn areas in their own country and take food, medical supplies, music and the gospel message to widows, orphans and families of veterans. (James 1:27)

Acts. 6:4 was cited by the director, Wes Janzen, who clearly stated that all of their ministry is pre-ceded by prayer.  A great reminder to me---an answered prayer as I have been trying to discern the ministry the Lord would have me to do as I've felt so scattered and overwhelmed lately.

"but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Prayer comes first! GLORY!!!
The entire night was glorious and I was blessed!

OUTSIDE ART---AVAILABLE IN NEIGHBORHOODS

12 Memphis neighborhoods are "showing" 21 different installations of characters "plucked" from our own Memphis Brooks Museum of Art collections by French artist, Julien de Casabianca.

Art scattered all over Memphis--from Orange Mound & The Edge Medical District to Cooper Young, Overton Square and Beyond! What fun! 

Here are five of my favorites of the 13 I saw before the rain came. 

"Slaying of Medusa" (LucaGiordano)  3177 Summer Ave.-on west side of the building

"Reading by the Brook" (Winslow Homer) 959 S. Cooper on east side wall of Cafe Ole

"Windy Corner in Vera Cruz" (Carroll Cloar) 2571 Broad Avenue on west side wall

 "Historic Encounter Between EH Crump & WC Handy on Beale Street" (Carroll Cloar)

1709 Lamar at Gloco Iron

"Gladys" (Abbott H. Thayer) 600 S Perkins on front wall facing west toward Theater Memphis 

"Neighboring" has been on my church's radar lately and I so agree with that truth! 

God has made from one blood, every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, (Acts 17:28)

God has placed me in Shelby County---the boundary of my dwellings for 50+ years has been Memphis.  

I want to be positive about the city where he has placed me. Venturing "out and about" neighbor hoods in my own town has been a blessing for me as I have met others on these "ventures." From the lady in Cooper-Young, with whom I shared my info (when she saw me taking my favorite picture of the girl reading by the brook) became a time of gratitude and blessing to the 4 ladies and 1 little girl in the University of Memphis area, as hubby offered to take their picture, we all had a "POSITIVE" experience in the city where the Lord has placed us as we all had a blessed day!

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)