MOST ENCOURAGING GIFT EVER

A PRICELESS GIFT!

ENCOURAGING WORDS OF SCRIPTURE!

The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR 2022!!!

Today's reveal of Time Magazine's Person of the year included not only Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, but also the "Spirit of Ukraine." 

Safety concerns keep me from listing the Ukrainians whom I know, who seek the peace and prosperity of the city in Ukraine where the Lord has placed them. (Jeremiah 29:7) As they seek welfare all the displaced people who flee to their city they are blessed themselves! 

These brave souls understand their exact location where they live was set by God that they might seek Him knowing He is always near!(Acts 17:26-27) 

"In Him, they live and move and have their being." (Acts 17:28)

That my friends is the true Spirit of Ukraine!

W0RK SMART!

First Evangelical Church has a Monday-Saturday "Six Challenges Prayer Guide" followed by PRAISE Sunday.

I like the way Saturday's focus is to Work Smart as it seems like a great way to be ready to work to be ready for a serene Sabbath full of PRAISE!

Jim Walker, editor of 4Memphis, sees work as a gift. He starts the November/December publications editorial page with the verse Psalm 90:17.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work

 of our hands for us; yes, establish the work out our hands.

The work that Walker commends goes beyond just the jobs that come with a paycheck. He, as always, applauds those who the peace & prosperity of our city.

"These Memphians work daily to help others who have such obstacles to overcome in their lives.....and it is done with God's love and provisions." Walker highlights those folks who give us a picture of the "Godly call to work quietly serving our fellow Memphians." (4Memphis, November/December 2022)

That my friend is what FEC calls "working smart".

HELP NEEDED!

I need help. Don't we all!!

Dear friend, Doris, sent this pic to me to remind me of the One who is my help!

Immediately "a very present help in trouble, " came to mind. 

A picture with the answer to all my woes and fears......JESUS!

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. 

Past. Present. Future.

He is all the help I need!

NEW WORDS!

As we age it is not only difficult to keep our word bank relevant but it's even more difficult to understand all the new words the younger generations bombard us with daily. When I'm with 5 of my teenage grandsons, I have difficulty following their conversations often accompanied with hand gestures.

It's always interesting when the OED adds new words each year based on upticks in usage. This past week folks at Webster include "gaslighting" as a relevant new word addition, I had never even heard of it but my daughter had and she enlightened me.

Instagram post by my dear friend, MP, who speaks fluent German and French, https://www.instagram.com/shellphoenix/ reminded me, "Actions speak louder than words." Regardless of the language.

Hubby concurs as he shouted Faking!!! at the TV yesterday during the match between USA and Iran.

All words, new and old, as well as actions, should be grace-laced especially on the international stage.

ABOUND IN HOPE

Yesterday's F.O.C.U.S. verse was Romans 15:13 as I was praying for a Ukrainian gal who is very much in need of the God of all hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so by the power of the Holy spirit you may abound in hope.

I also visited a widow lady at her new assisted living facility and there on her counter was Romans !5:13, in part. 

My Monday meditation had certainly included that but it even went beyond as I applied the F.O.C.U.S. formula. Because of my meditation time, I knew how to "fix my eyes on the unseen" part of the verse. Believing and abounding.

Beyond that it was like a blessing from the Lord...a God wink, of sorts from Bobbie's kitchen counter! Close to skywriting from above.

Needless to say. I am now abounding in hope for an answered prayer from Ukraine.

F-O-C-U-S

FOCUS on........God's Word everyday!

Acrostics can help me do just that. FOCUS!

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Get ready for the confetti! 

Thankful Thursday is here. The 4th Thursday in November is probably the penultimate "Thankful Thursday" for Americans.

I have been "shooting" prayers for family, friends and neighbors all day as God brings folks to mind. Gratitude is heart filling!

ευχαριστώ 

In everything give thanks....

THX!

Thanks be to God.

Thank you,O Lord!

Get the idea.

A WAY WITH WORDS!

It is one thing to be a wordsmith.....

but it's much rarer to express one's self in both words and art. EMYO does just that.

What a privilege it was to attend the launch at Dixon Gallery and Gardens last week of her book, Marisol's Dress. It began with a reading by Emily herself with the accompanying Spanish translation as her mom sat in the audience.

The story itself was inspired by her mother's journey from Cuba during the revolution as she fled the communist revolution there with only her abuela, one white dress that twirled and only one doll to a place across the blue ocean where she knew no one and did not even know the language spoken there.She carried her Mama's words in her heart. 

Remember you are brave and you are loved.

When lonely in her room in America, Marisol has only white paper and some pencils. A great truth enters her mind.

She realized what she had in front of her was enough for today.

The book encourages all to face hardship with courage....

When life gives you lemons, make paper dolls.

EMYO's book has young readers searching for lemons on every page.

From the large impressionist art works from which the illustrations were drawn to the unique words and phrases included, the book itself is truly a complete  work of art.

Marisol's Dress is so special to me because the book depicts the life of EMYO's mom, a dear, dear friend of mine. It also can inspire others, regardless of the age, to know they are brave and loved in the midst of challenges.

Needless to say, I will pass this treasure on to each of my granddaughters.

THOUGHT PROVOKING......

Thought provoking or just plain ole sin?

"Let go and let God" is what my AA brother learned.

Act on what you know. Leave the rest to God.

Paul says to "throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us." (Hebrews 12:1) 

Overthinking is wearying me out. My worrisome thoughts are a euphemisim for control attempts...people, events and things I cannot change.

Entangling me. I need to throw it out! Not only does hubby see this in me but friend Jerrie does as well.

She gifted me lately with something she knew was right up my alley....sticky notes!

But.....the quote, probably, also right up my alley,  gave me pause. Not a refreshing pause.

Hmmm...back to square one for me, the consummate overthinker!

Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

We need only to have faith and leave the details to God!