APATHEISM

8/23/13 Even Pastor Cole can often throw out a 50¢ word. Probably some are his own creation. Recently he introduced us to apatheism. It's the belief/theology of one who knows God or knows a lot about God but God doesn't matter to him. It's evident in the way he/she lives his life. Not quite agnostic---just an apathetic approach to God. Believers without teeth for their belief.

I don't know about others, but I don't want my life to be seen as a life of one who practices apatheism. I want to know Him and I want others to know that I know Him when they see my lifestyle.

Apathy + theism. Not for me. I prefer to live a life worthy of the label---Christian. 

GIVE 365

8/22/13 Today's Commercial Appeal local interest story highlighted the "Give 365" philanthropy. Though the story correctly identifies most of the "philanthropists" as those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, there are also others.

I and other educators, especially retired ones with big hearts and not so deep pockets, find his a great way to provide grants for many worthwhile (and VERY CREATIVE, I might add) ideas all for the greater good of our city. The Tuesday night presentations confirmed the intent of so many of these programs. (17 finalists) Voting for my Top Five will be a hard task.

Members give $1 a day (minimum)----it seems the least I can do to give back as the child of One who continually gives  to me out of His goodness, 24/7--365 days a year and beyond.

BTW, a match from a generous philanthropist, is available for all who wish to join, regardless of age or depth of pockets. Check it out at GIVE365----Philanthropy on $1 a day seems like a great way to give back.

WHAT A MOON!

8/21/13 What a moon, indeed! Did you see it last night????
Friend Jerrie and I got more than a glimpse of that BIG moon as we drove home from the "Give 365" meeting in the downtown medical center area.
When I saw it, I thought back to those nights of soothing babies. Sitting in the rocking chair by the upstairs window, babe in arms I would recite that familiar little ditty.

I see the moon
and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon
and God bless me. (but I would complete rhyme w/ Buddy, or Josh(ie) or Molly) 

When I see the moon
and the stars so bright,
I thank the Lord
for day and night.

I wonder if they remember. Wonder if they share "I see the Moon" with their little ones.

BTW thanks to Batesville, MS friend for the info. Ck it out and if you miss it, you'll know when this "Blue Moon" will next be seen. (It only happens once in a "blue moon.") Also, thanks to blog reader Nancy E. who brought to mind the Psalm 19:1-2 verse. Both the poem and the verse acknowledge the Creator.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.

What a moon! What a God!

Epitaph: inscribed on the heart

8/20/13
A recent “Best of Times” WKNO TV segment highlighted the life of Salvation Army brigadier, Gertrude Purdue, who died in May at the age of 104. The program listed many worthwhile accomplishments and her incredible energy, which was always directed toward serving others.

Yet, what stuck with me was her concluding quote. To me, a summary of her humility. It was the testimony of her life…..that little dash on her gravestone…..how she lived those 104 years.

I am a little pencil in the hand of a loving God who is writing a love letter to the world. (Gertrude Purdue, 1909-2013)

What a heartfelt inscription to remember. What an epitaph!

PERIPATETIC MOVEMENTS

8/19/13 Peripatetic is a Ronnie Steven's 50¢ word. He has a trove of them. It aptly describes my movements this summer, though I would use "hither and thither" to chart my journeys. Maybe even hither, thither and yon.

The journeys away from home have seemed to go in all directions yet they were meaningful and worth while because the purpose was to spend time with family and dear friends. Fait accompli.

But....the time at home, in between those trips & treks, has had me here, there and everywhere. Not much (purposeful, at least) accomplished. Running from pillar to post, as my grandmother, Gena, would have said---a linear description of walking in circles and therefore accomplishing very little. 

So what's the remedy? Meditation.

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (Psalm 119:15)

God can redeem the time lost in my peripatetic, helter skelter, chaotic life when I take time to sit at His feet, head bowed and Bible opened on my lap. He can work everything together for good.....for His purposes. Even my hither and thither life style.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Highlights & Mountain Lights

8/18/13 Timely. This year's "adult trip to the mountains was as eagerly anticipated as in years past. But God....used it this year to provide sanctuary for me. Time away----the day after I received my fall teaching assignment. Silence. Solitude. Listening. Simplicity.....my given topics.

WOW----perfect timing. Provision of a perfect place to experience those lessons.

Sanctuary can be a place of refuge and bring God into the mix (Me & Thee chairs) and it can become a sacred place in the early morning light. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. (Psalm 63:2)

 Firelight to provide warmth when the temps dipped to 55°.

The mountain valleys team with beautiful evidence of God's creation. Sheep. Horses. Even cows in a front yard.  

He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. (Psalm 147:8)

Fading evening light of the Smoky's as viewed from Catalooche Ranch. 

A Cuppa My T Leaf Ginger Twist tea for those twisty mountain roads. 

In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. (Psalm 95:4)

Sunset seen from atop "Little Hogback Mountain."In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. (Psalm 95:4)

Questions....with pictorial answers

8/17/13 QUESTIONS:

1. How do you know you're in the mountains? 
2. How do you know you're in a small town? 
3. What does 60 years of marriage look like?

ANSWERS:

1.   Honor jars serve as the till.

2.  There's diagonal parking on Main Street as in Franklin, NC. .

3.  60 years of marriage  looks like commitment and contentment, with a smile. So be happy with your wife and find your joy with the woman you married. (Proverbs 5:18, GNT)

MOUNTAIN TIME: ADDENDUM

7/16/13 
Mountain people, who live in cadence with mountain time, experience life in a timely manner---"whenever." "Soonish." Business might open one day and not the next---just check our the sign.
 "ish" is it's own hand on the clock.

Store sign in Cashier, North Carolina---8/14/13

Regardless of "time zone" parameters,  you know you're on mountain time when you......

• sleep when you're tired, 
• wake up rested with fewer hours of sleep, 
• have sounds of a running creek, heard though an open window, to "lull" you to sleep, 
• are as delighted with a rainy day as well as a sunny one, 
• understand that the march of time slows down to a walk or a rocking chair's rhythm and even a turtle crossing the road can catch your attention. 

Mountain Time----somewhere between resting and relaxing with lots of "fixin' to" intervals in its measurements.

NO SERVICE is "SWEET!"

8/15/13 The phone read "no service." Likewise, the computer.

Occasionally the BEST service is NO service.

Sounds like a "Heart to Heart" lesson taking root.

Disconnection with the world can enrich connection with the One who truly desires connecting with us. Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

"NO SERVICE" RESULTS: Silence, Solitude, Quietness of Soul, Serenity of Spirit, Listening Opportunities, Simplicity of Agenda---just to mention a few!!

 In His Presence is fulness of Joy. (Psalm 16:11)
SWEET SERVICE!

MOUNTAIN TIME

8/13/13 In the mountains---no time (little internet access and not much inclination to blog.)
More later....