SUNRISE! SUNSET!!

You, make the sunrise and sunset shout for joy! (Psalm 65:8)

What awe!

From the goldfinch singing outside my window as the sunrises.....

 ....to the sunset in the mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

VALLEY OF VISION!

Puritans strength of character came from their prayers and meditation.

Oh that such words could be used to describe all present day Christians! Recently, during Monday Prayer for Revival mornings, Carolyn Wynn read aloud one of the prayers, "Divine Promises" to us.

"All thy promises in Christ Jesus are yea and amen, and all shall be fulfilled."

Oftentimes, I use their prayers to prompt me into prayers and ensuing meditation of my own. 

A gift from Martha Banks in 2011,continues to be a treasure of an oft-needed vision for me.

GOOD BEGINNINGS IN LITERATURE!

WORLD BOOK DAY is just 4 days away. April 23; How will you celebrate? 

Read aloud to a child!

Parents and grandparents can often jumpstart a love for reading just by reading aloud as well as providing age appropriate books.

Is the written word important even when child cannot say or read words? 

Of course it is!

It stirs the joy of reading in his or her heart!

  

 

Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) and will need direction from God's word to guide them throughout life. 

Bible stories; literature of truth that is a good beginning of knowing, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Jesus Loves Me!"

Jesus Loves Me ,

This I Know,

For the Bible Tells Me So.

Little Ones to Him belong,

They are Weak but He is Strong!

Yes, Jesus Loves Me. Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

STORMS OF LIFE!

Literal storms have been a BIG part of spring 2023. Storms of mass physical destruction.

From rare snow storms in areas of California to tornados in the south upwards to the north east.

Survival is difficult as folks begin to assess damage and pick up the pieces. 

Storms leave behind deep scars in one's psyche. Soul, mind and spirit.

Life is full of storms of struggle even without atmospheric tragedies!

How does one pick up the pieces of this mental and emotional, shattering? How does one even begin to stand?

The answer is the same for all our storm woes.

• ......Draw near to the throne of grace.....(Hebrews 4:16)
• The eternal God is your dwelling place.....(Deuteronomy 33:27)
• ......Put your hope in His word. (Psalm 119:114)
• Draw near to God...(James 1:8) 
• Put on the full armor of God....(Ephesians 6:11)

Know the One who is the Answer!

SERMON ON A SIGN!

Sermon on a Sign.......more than just words in passing!

Heart Grabbing! Pithy with a punch!

A sermon message in a few choice words.....backed up by Scripture & found by Aubrey and Gayle on a road in MS.

Rather train yourself for righteousness (1 Timothy 4:7b)

Resist the devil. (James 4:7)

....what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Thanks Goodman Oaks Church of Christ for boldly sharing God's truth on your church sign!

MONOGRAM

It could be more of a southern tradition but monograms seem important in my "neck of the woods."

My daughter's wardrobe, as a youngster, was filled with monogrammed items and on to baby dishes and other items.

Dresses. Ruffled panties. Burp cloths 

Lockets. Silver baby julep cups. You get the idea.

As a newlywed, I proudly "sported" my new monogram, as most of my newly married friends "sported" theirs. 

My T-Cup travelers have lots of monogrammed items-- purses, towels, travel cups, baskets,  T-shirts...and a few funny stories that accompany them!

These days too many believers seem to be in the throes of "identity amnesia" We have forgotten whose we are! (Tripp, 4/12)

Today, Christian, understand that the most eternally important monogram to wear proudly would be....

............CHILD OF GOD!(1John 3:1)

The monogram that truly counts!

TUT! TUTT!!

TUT! Tut!!

Tidy

Up

Tuesday

Let all things be done decently and in order.! (I Corinthians 14:40)

That's what Tidy Up Tuesday is all about.

One drawer at a time. How about a pantry floor!

This helpless housekeeper can even find distractions in the clutter.

TUT! TUT!!

RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

Praise the Lord. Risen indeed!

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11) 

(Source JAE)

Risen indeed!

Glory be to God on this resurrection Sunday!

SHOW ME THE WAY, A LENTEN JOURNEY!

A Lenten journey for me began this year with what was necessary to keep my focus on things above, not on things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow,. (Psalm 25:4)

A plain path.(ASV). Good path.(CEB) Even path.(DARBY) 

Level path.(ESV) Right path.(GNV) Straight path.(NIV) Upright path (NEV)

The necessary. The basics. The bottom line.The longings of the soul.

Henri Nouwen's book, Show Me the Way, was filled with reflections on the road of faith, which is God's way., along with prayers of openness.

Why O Lord, is it so hard for me 

to keep my heart directed toward you?

Why does my mind wander off

in so many directions,

and why does my heart desire

the things that lead me astray?

Let me sense your presence

in the midst of my turmoil.

Take my tired body

my confused mind,

and my restless soul into your arms

and give me rest ---simple, quiet rest. (p.35)

GOOD FRIDAY!

GOOD FRIDAY!

For Christians, this day is part of something bigger.  It's a part of Holy Week celebrations of Christians and Jews focusing on the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ. 

How could such a horrific act be a cause for celebration? 

Christ's suffering points to a bigger redemptive picture.

Worshippers across the globe use it as a time for mindful reflection. 

Spiritual discipline of fasting can aid in this time of reflection, confession of sin and prayer.

Good Friday represents what Christ did in obedience to His Father which resulted in redemption for all who believe through the shed blood of Jesus. 

A true outpouring of God's love. 

Good Friday communion is done in remembrance of this.

Good Friday. 

An emphasis of devotion to God pointing the way to Resurrection Sunday!