P.E.A.C.E.

P.E.A.C.E.

Acrostics to help us remember. Used often by me for self and others

Pray.

Enjoy. 

Accept this as "father-filtered.

Center your thoughts on Him and His will for you...

Expect to see God's hand in your life during this struggle.

P.E.A.C.E. Come up with an acrostic of your own to share with me or others.

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES!

Shug and PopPop take a look at this! "Who are these people, Jack?" Mommy asked.

"They're humans." he said.

Jack knows who's in the manger. He hollers it out. BABY JESUS.

He's not ashamed. His excited hands show it!

He knows Jesus came down for him. "ME." Jack points to himself.

So he can play with Him. Jesus meets Jack right where he is.

Later Daddy came in the room and asked Jack what he was doing.

"I'm playing with God," was his response. Hmmm...beginning triune God thoughts!

 Yes....out of the mouth of babes!

SUNRISE TO SUNSET

From sunrise to sunset the earth shows forth the wonder of our creator!

PRAISES! SONGS OF JOY!!

So grateful for a church whose prayer prompt for Sunday is PRAISE!

PRAISES for a Serene Sabbath with a choir loft filled with symphony members and angelic voices joyfully singing to our Lord.

Praises began early this morning and are still lingering as the sun is starting to set on this glorious 3rd Advent Sunday of joy!

WALK IN THE LIGHT

Many candles bring special light.

Advent candles. Birthday candles. Christmas candles. Emergency candles, Wedding candles.

This one candle was made overr 53 years ago. One from many. Mother made it by melting all the candles that shone in the windows and by the altar on my wedding day, 8/9/69. As  I placed it on the kitchen table this morning, I was reminded to pray for those who attended my wedding, in particular my Quad Squad. Three friends who not only were there but had entertained me with luncheons prior...and were serving or attending me that day.

The light from the candle led me to Isaiah 2:5.

Come,.....let us walk in the light of the LORD. 

May we all walk in the light of the LORD as we focus on the ONE who is the reason for the season!

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.