WITH GOD

With---a four letter preposition "with" a BIG life in scripture. A "function" word. Accompanied by. Possessing as a feature of accompaniment. On the side of. 

Together comes to my mind.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, emphasis mine)

With-ness is key---if that's even a word. Lately, I have been "with God" early in my day praying from Psalm 143:8. Setting my agenda before Him asking his direction in the way I should go. You see, I want to go with Him. I want Him with me as I face the "tyranny" of the urgent along with fears that haunt me and minutiae that distracts me.

I need to quit "straining at a gnat." (Matthew 23:24) My focus is on the small things, which blind me from seeing the big picture of God's faithfulness. His word reminds me, "it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, emphasis mine)

I need Emmanuel---"God with us", with me all the time.

QUOTES AND QUIPS

Addictions come in all sizes. One of my al anon prayer partners confesses she is addicted to quotes.

Comparatively speaking, that's not a bad addiction.

Yesterday, alongside my collection of her quotes, "Suggestions are control coming through the back door", I added her latest one, "Expectations are pre-meditated resentments."

Seriously. Those are worth pondering, for many of us, I'd say.

At church Sunday, teacher, Rad, who is full of quips, shared two quips---"lunch on the grounds" in the south is *deviled eggs up to your eyeballs" (Mother called them dressed eggs. Maybe, she felt the devil's name should have no access to a church event.) His second quip reminded us that too often folks go home,

after church, to feast on "roast preacher." 

Son, Buddy, recently quipped, with serious undertones of truth, that parenting is difficult in this generation of "eye rolls and earbuds." He also quipped that he too often had "IDS"--irritable dad syndrome.

Humor's purpose in the midst of a sermon is often a way of facing the realities of our day to day lives in an accepting way. 

Together. Fellowship on the same side of "suffering" whether it's addiction or parenting difficulties. Knowing earth is not our final home does in no way negate that it is our home today. Humor can help make the best of what life offers us in the moment.

The quotes are helping remind me to leave my "control" tendencies in God's hands and the quips are helping to lighten my load/burden with humor as I stumble.

Quips that bring laughter can be therapeutic.

According to scripture, "He who has a merry heart has a continual feast," (Proverbs 15:15) even when one, with an egg allergy, attends his church's fall dinner on the grounds".

GAL PAL GETAWAYS!

What does a "Gal Pal Getaway" look like......

I already know that a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9)
For T-cups--it's a mystery trip known only to one who plans the trip. Destination usually revealed at start of trip but not this time. New jaunts were explained upon arrival. Those in back seat felt as if we were somewhere beyond our state---California, maybe.

A Full Circle of "Tennessee Treks, Trail and Back Roads"included.............Walking Tall Trail, Civil War Trail, w/ catfish at Hagy's, Amish wagon rides,

RR crossings,

Hoopee Rides....

and lots of cuisine from old timey boardinghouse to mealhouse....

.....dips from Capt'n Rodneys (REAL Capt'n Rodney joined our Pic.)

not to mention fried pie sundies at Soda Pop Junction

and hominy casserole & collards-- plus baked apples with a little of the Lynchburg"product" stirred in and a touch of the "product was tasted in the REAL whipped cream on the buttermilk pie at Miss Mary BoBo's......

to RH Cafe with lobster  rolls. Champagne was also available.

.....Even met Bubba at 9 Back St. (backroad address) Mulberry, TN lavender farm.

Banana pudding for the Banana Pudding festival.

BREAKFAST! BREAKFAST! BREAKFAST!

1 Banana w/ 1 Egg--Delish! we had to try it to believe it.

Feasting and feeding on God's Word after breakfast!

"New" Long Island friends at Marcy Jo's Mealhouse community table

So grateful we ended each day for Triple R---Rest & Relaxation at the Ranch--filled with cows, horses, chickens + 1 rooster, a baby doll sheep, a mini horse, a mule named Duke, bee hives,

an amazing "she shed" 

& LOTS OF PORCHES.

"Full Circle" Ranch, no less.......

...a place to refresh one's soul! **

**Trip Addendum---A few hours after we returned Saturday one of the gals had a stroke. Tuesday another gal had gallbladder surgery. Life Lesson learned----enjoy  the  moments God gives---because our days are gifts from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
We could be of good cheer knowing that God was in the plan (Mattie Dear) Even in those scares & struggles, there was fullness of joy in His presence as we prayed together for each other! (Psalm 16:11)

30 DAYS HATH SEPTEMBER.....mostly on the road again & again

So much travel for us lately that it seems as if we're home long enough to unpack and repack.
Whether by air or on the road, the trips have been to visit family or dear friends so all are special! Children, grandchildren, brothers and 3 cousins. In between times we even had visitors---from both Colorado and Florida.
No problems along the way except those that are "age related"---a medical term used often for me lately.
Physical problems have been easier for me to grapple with than spiritual ones. It seems that when my routine varies, my quiet times get skewed. Factor in fatigue and even my best attempts flag. "God observes my travel and my rest." yet, when travel increases my rest is moved to the back seat, literally. (Psalm 139:3)
But God.....uses many "visuals" too help me refocus. On recent highway home, church signs to bill boards whizzed by and brought both humor and warnings but my reflexes wren't fast enough to record them. I do remember a billboard just west of Sulphur Springs, Texas, "Real Christians love their enemies." One that I was able to capture on I-30 in Texas was a jolt---a real positive surprise! A gospel message for all to see.

Truth on the tail end of a truck!

A crossroads visual. The way to Jesus includes service and discipleship.
We all choose each day the path we will choose. The straight and narrow that leads to Jesus or the "other"----path to sin. Believers choose Jesus---I'm grateful to be on the road with a "truck driver" who shares an eternal message.
A reminder for all to heed--- on the "road again".

TIMELY THANKFUL THURSDAY

No time. No panic. No pressure. 

Having a "blended" cuppa this Thursday morn.

A BIG spoonful of gra-TEA-tude stirred in to my at-TEA-tude cuppa.

Trying not to slosh---

ACRONYMS OF ADVICE

In times when one is overwhelmed---even trying to read a newspaper or text full of acronyms---of which one doesn't have a clue---KISS comes to mind.

K eep 

I t

S imple

S weetie

Just yesterday a friend sent a text explaining acronyms for "senior" (OLD) citizens. I needed a laugh so the timing was perfect.

Will continue this thought on more of a spiritual realm as I recall and reflect on two personal acronyms as I have focused meditating on words lately---SEEK & FOCUS!

I will share those two acronyms of advice soon. 

MORNING MESSAGE FROM "THE MESSAGE"

Last week's message dealt with "moments"---a real challenge for me!
Living in the moment sounds simple but for type A personalities not so much.
Living in the "if only" regrets of the past or the "what if worries/fears of the future can rob one of the "present tense life" which is a gift especially for those who walk with God. (Matthew 6:34)
Son, Josh, has been reminding me of this and I am trying to "unschedule" and enjoy as I remember walk is a present tense verb.

 

Steep your life in God-reality, God initiatives ad God-provisions. Don't worry about missing our. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:33, The Message.

Having precious granddaughters around helps me get back to the now and enjoy the "present" which is a great morning message for me as I steep a cuppa His reali-TEA!

MOMENTS: MOMENT BY MOMENT

Why is it so hard for me to stay in the moment?

A. D. D. (Always Distracted Dotsy)

Remain. Simply focus. Remember; He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Started this morning with a cuppa simplici-TEA---will let you know how it goes through out this jam-packed Labor Day weekend!
Last night's supper for AHS wide receivers.

Nathan Liles #89, our favorite Allen High School senior and team members rejoiced and found satisfaction in all their labor--which is a gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

Andrew and John Parker, future AHS athletes with YaYa and Poppy while Noah was in the sound booth and Caleb was with friends somewhere in the vast stadium.

Auburn vs Oregon @AT&T stadium.

Auburn was only ahead in the last few moments but those were the 9 seconds that counted---27-21!

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.