AGOG....AGAIN!

Agog--is defined as very curious or eager to hear or see something---or maybe for others to see something in you!

This coming week I desire to see A Grip Of Grace in my life, not just day-by-day but moment-by-moment.

I want others to see God's grace in my life so clearly that it grips them---they too become joyful expectant for such a grip in their lives.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

God is able in all things at all times to bless us! 

We all need to stand AGOG as we "glimpse" &  "grip" this grace-filled" truth!

PRAYER POSITION OF THE HEART!

Prayer is more than words.

Prayer is a position of the heart!

A position with depth.

Well said, John Bunyan.

Enough said!

DANCE! DANCE!! DANCE!!!

Sometimes you just gotta dance!

Even if you're packing 100,000 food parcels? Yep!

Even if you're inside a church gym? Yep.

Is dance ever used in Scripture? Yep!

The young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. 

I will turn their mourning into gladness; 

I will give them comfort and joy instead of gladness. (Jeremiah 31:13)

Get moving. Gird yourself with gladness and DANCE! (Psalm 30:11) *

*This morning I heard Friday is "Happy Dance Day" on K-Love! Believers share God's goodness in their lives.  I say "FRI-YAY" to that.

PRAYER POSITIONS!

Be still---whether in your prayer place or in wide one spaces.

If you can't kneel physically, you can kneel in your heart.

If you can't bow your head because of neck pain, close your eyes and bow in your heart.

Prayer positions are inward. Positions of the heart.

PRAYER POSITIONS---A HOLY HUDDLE!

In 2015, Coach Joseph Kennedy of Bremerton high school lost his job after  kneeling post game on the 50 yard line in prayer. Some of his players and members of the community joined him. 

January 2, 2023, while playing in the Buffalo Bills'/Cincinnati Bengals game, Bills' player, Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a hit. After CPR and ambulance transport to an area hospital, the prayers started.....all over the field, in the stands and even aloud from the broadcast booth! At least from the lips of the 2 men...I never heard the word prayer from the "lady" commentator.

Prayers spilling way beyond the 50 yard line. 

The Bills met the Patriots in the play-off game in their on stadium on January 8, 2023. 

Gathering for pre-game prayer for teammate Hamlin 

and dedicate the game to him.

Notice the crosses under Hamlin's eyes.

What a way to start a game.....A holy huddle for sure!

AGOG...........

Are you agog with the Spirit?

Or....do others see you as a greedy ole geezer or a grumpy old gal?

Hopefully others get a Glimpse of God as they see your life?

A

Glimpse

Of

God

As Paul urges us in Ephesians 4, "walk in a manner worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness with patience, bearing with one another, in love."

Such a lifestyle enables Christians to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond f peace.

Maybe others will walk away with a new life as they are now AGOG with the Spirit after a Glimpse of God in your life.  

SUSTAIN UKRAINE!

Sustain Ukraine!

What a privilege---being on a team to pack 10,000 food parcels for a land and people whom I love dearly.

When the gong sounds we will go ---and keep going until the job of supplying 100,000 meals is complete.

LET'S GET PACKING & SUSTAIN UKRAINE!* (1 John 4:7-8)

*Note Ukrainians delivering previously delivered parcel to eastern Ukraine/front lines wear helmets and bullet proof vests!

ROSE PARADE

I love a parade. If we're going to be out of town, I record it. This year I forgot.

I didn't even want to leave our hotel room in Oklahoma yesterday just so I could see it. That would NOT happen...per my driver!

But.....when we arrived home, I found out the Tournament of Roses parade had not taken place on Sundays since 1893. WooHoo! 

Why? There was a fear of disturbing the horses--the preferred method of transportation used in attending churches back then! I love it, church trumps parades----even if the horses waiting outside is the stated reason.

The TOR Parade committee choose their own favorites some according to the year's theme, "Turn the Corner." I have mine as well, usually for personal reasons.

Cal Poly is always in my top 5---done by the students there.

This year Judge's award appealed to me because I thought how much children would love to see all those petals turned into jungle animals from the scary to the beautiful toucans and macaws. Hubby, too, would love all the birds.

I love the beauty of giraffes and they enhanced this Safari themed float.

My children and grands have all watched the Wizard of Oz. Plus, I had just spent 18 + hours on the road, these last two days and to me there was "no place like home," and my own bed!

BPOE. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A fraternal organization of service to our Hopkinsville, KY community. 

Daddy was an Elk, serving as treasure, secretary and Exalted Ruler. 

Enough said! 

Donate Life float theme, "Lifting Each Other Up" appealed to me because my precious niece, Allyson, donated her organs to help save others. The judges awarded it Sweepstakes Trophy!

My favorite float, with the cross high atop the church, was created by Lutheran Hour Ministries....of course it was! This year it had a special memory as it reminded me of sweet friend, Stephanie, whose husband Les, went to his heavenly home less than a month ago. He served for years as a Lutheran pastor.

That memory, the words, "A New Day With Jesus" accompanied by the music and lyrics of "I Can Only Imagine" sealed it for me! 

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

MY "BEST THEME DEPICTION AWARD TROPHY"-----

as one begins each day of 2023 "turning the corner" with Christ!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! EAT UP!

BLESSINGS FOR 2023!

Black eye peas. Black-eyed peas.

Nothing spiritual....just traditional. Southern traditional.

Mildred Davenport Adams aka Gigi traditional. Black-eyed peas cooked with hog jowl, served with a side of fresh turnip greens and piping hot cornbread.

A can in the pantry with 3 "just-in-case" freezer packs in Memphis.

Hoppin' John from a food truck in Bryson City, North Carolina.

Perfectly delectable from Brooklyn, New York by the resident chef.

Hopeful for a "bean" of some sort in Panda Express take-out in Allen, Texas---anything to appease Gigi! More importantly to please God.

Enjoy your New Year's Day meal to glorify God/honor God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Regardless of the translation* of the tradition---Whether then, you are eating or drinking or whatever you are doing, let everything be done to the glory of God. (Weymouth New Testament)

So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you - you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them.....but Him.

*Whether therfore ye eate or dryncke or what soever ye do,

do all to the prayse of God. (Tyndale Bible of 1526)

SO LONG! FAREWELL!!

MONARCH MOUNTAIN!