AUGUST 20, 2019 NEW ARRIVAL

....a special delivery of sorts!  A perfect package. Worth the wait. A delivery that brings smiles!
Grandchildren are indeed the crown of the aged! (Proverbs 17:6)

The big sister smile says it all!

Even the "package" smiles!

She's wide-eyed and curious to see what Aunt Maeve has seen.....

And is wide-eyed to hear her big sister read to her!

But.....eyes closed for her serene Saturday walk at just 11 days old.

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

LOTS OF 50th LISTS---until lists are edited & print ready you can reminisce with us...from by-gone anniversaries.

Wedding 8/9/69

10th anniversary---Folks folly but smaall tin cup gift b/c we splurged on the food.Our 13th was lunch at Doeblers Dock. We went on a Saturday for the “special,” 10¢ shrimp and oysters. ..................

14th anniversary was on a brief (1 night) cruise to Bahamas w/all 3 Our 15th in Hot Springs AR at the renown Hamilton House, a treat from friends Boyd and Deborah (kids too just not at dinner)

Our 15th in Hot Springs AR at the renown Hamilton House, a treat from friends Boyd and Deborah (kids too just not at dinner)
From the mid-80s to the early 90s, Larry’s 


Our 25th anniversary was just a month after Mommar and Grandaddy's 50th (7/21/69)....which we

 later we shared our silver anniversary (25th) with dear friends Sam and JoLynn---1994 in North Carolina at Greystone Inn w/ lots of tee time guys & tea time gals. 

position as coach of US Racquetball team gave us opportunities to celebrate anniversaries in exotic places: Le Meir in Hamburg, Germany and an outdoor restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela.

Our 30th found us as empty nesters with a little spare change so the gifts were memorable---tickets to symphony in the garden (though Josh & Molly came too) and a fall weekend "alone" (so no pics) at the Hemlock Inn in NC.

41st  anniversary---at Baptist Hospital for Mommar's surgery, fulfilling of those 1969 vows “in sickness (we include family here as well) and in health, for better or for worse” which we made unto the Lord on this day 41 years ago.

MEDITATION CONTINUES....

Last Monday's passage meditation had me on a single verse---Psalm 143:8, specifically the last 2 lines of the verse.
This time the selection prompted prayers beyond family to prayers for friends---so many friends. Sisters in Christ who seem to struggle as I do when it comes to being confident in God's daily plan for them. Such wonderings require daily focus on scripture.
I prayed the verse especially for sweet KDS friend, Sandra, who was hospitalized for observation after a scary blood pressure event. Taking a few treats to Methodist Germantown to celebrate her recovery, I saw she had her Bible opened to that verse.  I had told her earlier I was praying Psalm 143:8 for her.

After  she was dismissed from the hospital, she shared this picture from her morning quiet time. 

Her morning cuppa---tea and truth. Her special Psalm143:8 teacup served as bookmark for that same verse in her Charles Stanley study Bible!  

Then........Sunday's "responsive reading" at church that week was from Psalm 143:8----of course it was.

God is gracious to keep me meditating on a verse until "I get it"!

The meditation continues so I'm excited to see all that He has for me within these 31 words!

MINDFUL MEDITATION: A GREAT REDUNDANCY

Robert Morgan's, All to Jesus, day 203 was last Monday's  (July 22) devotional reading. It was right on the money for this gal whose life is too often filled with fear, flurry and fretting. His reminder was from a quote by St. Francis de Sales, "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in in a calm spirit." Mull over God's word. No flurry.

For me, cultivating a quiet mind requires much mulling over scripture. Perfect assignment for Meditation Monday. As I will be teaching "Meditative Prayer" at Town Village tomorrow, the reminder was very timely for that lesson as well.

THOTS

Trusting Him On This Subject/Scripture

Today, God used another Morgan book, Redeeming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation, to continue my "mulling over mindful matters"---as I call to mind, holy thoughts of what God has for me today and allow Him to show me the way to go. (Psalm 143:8)

This month I have had this picture posted near my kitchen table---a great morning reminder. A verse for meditation. A verse to pray for my adult kids, their spouses and all "my" "grands. Plus, God has brought many others to mind so I've prayed for them as well. Psalm 143:8 is also on typed card by my prayer chair and on a post-it note upstairs in our computer room. 

Mindful meditation on this one verse has me focusing again today on, "show me the way I should go." Not "my" way.....but "Thy" way, O Lord.

Trusting God instead of my "to-do" list has calmed my spirit and allowed me to see His priorities and today that means I "stay put" at 1152. Obviously more mindful mulling is still needed.

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Funerals offer truths that one can really take to heart---especially funerals of the faithful. (Psalm 116:15)*

Joe Black---Uncle Joe's funeral was such an event. His granddaughter, Rachel, added proof as she recalled her grandfather's continuous love and encouragement for her from when he first bounced her on his knee until his last hug from his deathbed. Family knows the real truth about ones life not just what the world sees. In this instance, the two matched. (Romans 10::9-10) A letter from son Joey shared more examples of this life well-lived and son Jeff strumming his guitar and singing, "How Great Thou Art, brought many to tears.
From boxing and body-building  to railroad man, this meek man with quiet power, power under control, gave respect to others and therefore received respect from all whose paths he crossed. He enjoyed fun times with others---especially his SAW meetings near his Oakland home. Seniors Against Work.

Joe Black was Mommar's only surviving sibling, the one who watched after sibling Charles when she (Mary) and her sisters, Liz and Maxine, had all passed away, and even before that. How fitting it was that Joe put the urn of  brother Charles' ashes inside his own coffin for his final resting place as well. A brother who was faithful to the very end. Joe knew though his "earthly tent was being destroyed that he had a building from God, an eternal house in heaven." (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Do I hear an "Amen"?

*While attending this family funeral another friend in the faith passed away. A godly man. A faithful husband. A devoted father. A respected lawyer. 
His passing is precious to the Lord but it certainly leaves a big hole in hearts of our entire church and others who knew him as he fulfilled his vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. (Psalm 116:14)

How appropriate was the verse on the front of his memorial service bulletin---because everyone who knew Lance could see that he "had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) Even the quote on the back gave insight into this lifelong Memphian's faith as He trusted God's plan for his life regardless of the struggles. Like Eldon Roark, former Memphis Press-Scimitar "Strolling"columnist from 1933-1979, Lance believed Scripture to be the final authority for all faith and practice.

Be of good cheer. God is in the plan. (Mattie Dear) A frequent contributor to "Strolling".

Each believer can be of good cheer knowing that both his/her earthly life and eternal life are in the hands of a loving sovereign God.

Do I hear another "Amen"!

SERENE SABBATH: a synopsis

Sunday in an analogous capsule---since I've been swallowing many recently in my  somewhat homebound state

--Wake-up jolt---arrow prayers of thx.

--Swallow predniSONE w/food.  Breathing treament #1.

--Conviction.
--Reminders on prayer chair pillow, on journal, plaque and computer room wall calligraphy.

--I am waiting for the storm of this obstructive pulmonary disease to pass. Waiting for better days instead of seizing "ordinary" moments with a grateful heart.

I have quit dancing.
Dance Dotsy---as you did on your cancer journey. Get your eyes off of your circumstances. Look up into the eyes of your dance partner.

--Sabbath Rest * needed. No brick and  mortar church today. *Adam Mabry describes "Sabbath Rest" as a holy rest, a lingering with Him---a time of refreshment. A time to "breathe, pray, eat, reflect, worship." (p.113-118) Sounds like a plan to me!!
--Son Buddy's "One Anothering" sermon, Sing to one another." 

--I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing...
I'm gonna pray when the Spirit says pray, and obey the Spirit of the Lord.
--10am Symbicort puffs.
--Chat outside with 4 neighbors.
--Postural drainage with percussion treatment (clapping back w/ cupped hand.
--Another breathing treatment.
--PM vitamins & pro-biotic consideration.
--A healthy leftover salad for lunch (no prep needed by me) & an entire Hershey Bar w/ almonds for snack--& it wasn't even dark chocolate...........hm-m-m-m!

Began NYX best seller The Second Mountain.
Brooks had me at the intro.....describing one who radiates with joy as a person who delights in small pleasures and grateful for big ones, not perfect people but exhausted and stressed BUT they live for others, not for themselves. (xi, emphasis mine) Having reached the top of the first mountain of our culture that is built on personal identity, money, career, success and finding it "unsatisfying," Many reasons knock people of this mountaintop to the valleys, often breaking them open to bewilderment or a season of suffering. The valley is the making of them and as it interrupts the flow of everyday life. Within themselves they see an ability to care, to transcend self and care for others. They are finally able to love their neighbors as themselves, not as a slogan or scriptural type cliche

 

.............but I did check the Index to see where he was going. Found;  Christainity (15), grace (1), Jayber Crow (5), Jesus (8), Kierkegaard (5), C.S. Lewis, (16),
 --Listing "Breath " verses to ponder.
--Pausing to pray for Susan, my discipler, as it is her day & to ponder NT verses; Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 4:19, Mark 12:31-32 & Acts 17:25, with Serendipity NewTestament given to us by the Duntsches 30 yrs ago.

--Praising Him.
--Posturing for a nap, in a sitting position to aid breathing and allow for needed physical rest.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." (Psalm 150:6)

GLORIOUS FREEDOM!

Freedom is celebrated! In local parades as well as DC. 

In cookouts, al fresco dining and fireworks. **

It's the American way---for a country founded on freedom.

Expressions are emailed, tweeted and recorded. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation, (Meacham & McGraw) recalled hymns and declarations from the past reminding me of our country's independence founded, "under God" and for the people. Even Abigail Adams is quoted as she urged her husband John & other members of the Continental Congress not to forget our nation's women, "I desire you would remember the ladies." (Songs, p.27) 

McGraw reminded all that, independence in America is not easy---it's a never-ending struggle to pursue the promises of liberty and freedom that our Founding Fathers envisioned. Again, "one nation, under God" comes to my mind......

......as I picked up my Bible for reassurances of the "freedom" that truly counts. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..that's glorious freedom! (Gal. 5:1)

**Remembering a 4th of July (2004) with long-time friend Ann Martin at Blackberry Farm w/our our own fireworks.

ETCHED IN STONE

Sometimes great reminders are right at your feet.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY!

• Romans 15:13. ... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Nehemiah 8:10. ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Isaiah 35:10.....Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Psalm 16:11. ... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Psalm 27:6. ... I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
• Psalm 28:7...The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him 
• Psalm 126:2-3. ...The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

CHOOSE JOY--ETCH IT IN STONE! 

BETTER YET, WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART!

WILTING AWAY

Why is it so easy for good intentions to wilt away right before my eyes? Just like my sunny bright yellow bouquet did yesterday! Wilted & faded right before by eyes---just as my breath has faded this week until breathing treatments began to kick in. 

My energy cuppa is depleted. Do I need a cuppa S-TEA-rength???? 

"For with You is the fountain of life;" (Psalm 37:9a) I need to draw energy and direction from the "Fount" of every blessing. Inhaling deeply comes to mind. Inhaling at much all has been such a physical struggle this last week. 

But God......lead me to an Oswald Chambers quote. "Watch how God will wither up your confidence in natural virtues....and in any power you have, until you  learn to draw your life (my very breath) from the reservoir of life.... of Jesus."(My Utmost For His Highest, 12/30) Then Chambers added, "Thank God if you are going through a drying up experience." So, that's what I'm doing as I hang on to his word, especially in different translations of Psalm 87:7. It's keeping me focused that my strength comes from nothing "natural" or pharmaceutically but only from the Jesus, One True Source.........

And while they dance, people sing: “The source of my life comes from you.” (CEB)All my springs of joy are in you. (NASB)The source of my life springs from Jerusalem! (NLT)
All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you. (AMPC)            My fountains are in Thee. (YLT) 

As I was pondering these truths, Hubby came in the door with a perfect focal point from the farmer's market---A sunflower!....

...."not wilted" in any way and had survived last night's hail storm. Note all the seeds of hope in the middle of it!
Sunflower----a happy gift, a gift that symbolizes adoration of the One who created the sun and the sunflower. 

SUMMER SWEETNESS!

What a perfect quote for all book-loving folks.

A permission granting quote of sorts. So.....grab a book and find some shade.

Better yet, share a book with your granddaughter......or grandson.....
and let them choose between 2 of your offerings......

or go to a book group and discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, not light-hearted fare but intriguing, none the same.

A summer read, how sweet that can be!