A GIFT IS GIVEN: FROM THE CRADLE TO THE CROSS

Preparing for Christmas it's easy to focus on the warmness of the manger and the coming of baby Jesus.

However, just a few days ago we passed this roadside cross -- a big reminder of why God sent His Son. For us.

From the roadside cross to the front yard manger, compliments of Adam Templeton, the two together are the best reminder of John 3:16. 

His love for us!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Eternal life is the BEST gift ever given.

joy......Joy......JOY!

Struggling lately. Depressed spirit. Enveloped by a pall of sadness and grief.

Lethargy looms.

Knowing joy is a choice.......guilt ensued.

Joy is a by-product of an attitude of gratitude.

I had taken off my dance shoes. 

The Bible is a book of joy! (Deuteronomy 16:15)

Exercise needed. More time in His Word. (Psalm 94:19) D.

Acceptance. Keep on keeping on. (Philippians 4:4) A.

Fulness of Joy RX. (Psalm 16:11, I Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Don't lose hope. (Romans 12:12) N.

Consolations from friends. (Psalm 94:19) Thanks, Dixie! C.

I need to find my D.A.N.C.E. shoes. E. 

Exercise joy.....Joy.....until it gets to JOY!----

                            my basic "barre exercise" for abunDANCE. 

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY

National Adoption Day.

A day to celebrate. 

That is so true for our family. 

Book was one of "his" first words.

When he would "empty" his bookshelf, we called him our circulation librarian. 

Nowadays his books are everywhere. He chooses the ones he wants to read or for you to read to him.

Books at bedtime are essential and sometimes he wants to help the experience! Now you can enjoy that experience. I bet it will make you smile.

ELECTION 2020!

The election is over. The results are in.

Our "choice" won.

Our granddaughter won! She was elected vice-president of her school and she's only in the 4th grade.

Proverbs 17:6 says it well. "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged."

IMPORTANT INFINITIVES

Today's morning devotional, All to Jesus, (Day 301) listed verses in Proverbs dealing with word usage and speech patterns. 

Author, Robert Morgan, listed 3 infinitives:

1. to shut up (Proverbs 10:19) There are definitely times we need to close our mouths. In 2020, My One Word has been "listen." I have learned, sometimes the hard way, the necessity of listening in order to hear from others.
2. to build up (Hebrews 10:25b) Edification and encouragement are so needed especially this year of COVID & elections. Political ads tear one another down yet, God's word continues to remind us..."but encourage one another."
3. to speak up (Proverbs 31:8) "Speak up for the ones who have no voice." "Be prepared (in gentleness and respect) to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give an answer for the hope within you." (Hebrews 10:25b, my paraphrase) Two excellent times to choose to use your voice.

So there you have it----speech patterns from the Proverbs that give "important infinitives" for life.

SHOP LOCAL

I am a big fan of public libraries. I go there often to pick up the many books they "hold" for me. I love "my" librarians at the Poplar White Station Branch. They even recognize me behind my mask! 

I also read a local magazine publications. Think 4MEMPHIS. Not for the society news but for the From the Publisher page that always has Jeremiah 29:7 at the top!

Recently when reading was difficult, due to an "episode" in my occipital lobe, I counted on their Libby app for audio books.

But.....when I am unable to get a much desired book..............I shopped local!

I think that's scriptural. 

Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City in which I have placed you. (Jeremiah 29:7)

Put Jeremiah 29:7 into action. After praying for our city where the Lord has placed each of us........... SHOP LOCAL!

HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCES : A COMPARISON

Hair Raising Experiences! We've all had them! Some more pleasant than others.

How different my hair-raising experiences were years ago---rafting "Olympic" size rapids, zip-lining in the mountains and tent camping in the snow. Now keeping up with what day it is and taking all required meds and supplement--- when either my eensy blood pressure pill doesn't quite make it to my mouth or my almost daily "on hands and knees" occurrence of  trying to find my Vitamin D which "rolled" somewhere. The hair-raising part is when I try to get-up again!

A recent hair-raising occurred---on my day out with a two-year old.

His hair-raising experiences become a little hair-raising for me as I try to keep up. For him, it's all about running and exploring, resulting in lots of physical exercise. 

Lately, for me it's been about a sedentary exercise of "one-anothering" (1 Thessalonians 5:11) from my computer or through a phone text or USPS card to another who needs a little encouragement or extra measure of love. (Hebrews10:24) 

And that's okay....if the inevitable outward effects of aging are evident, I'll need to accept "inner aliveness" (DayBrightener, 10/20) as a result of His Presence. 

Inner aliveness.

Inner hair-raising experiences. I'll settle for that. 

PATH PONDERINGS

"Why does she have a path to nowhere?" grandson, Owen, asked years ago. He was looking at the rocky runoff at Master Gardner neighbor's yard. 

Sometimes I feel like I'm looking at a path to nowhere. I can't seem to see beyond the rocky steps I'm encountering right in front of me. What's a gal to do? Look up? Look ahead? Maybe a little of each?

Where does one find the right path in life?

 

Certainly there are plenty of junctures. A wrong turn, just a few steps away can lead one into pitfalls of "self-pity and despair, or plateaus of pride" (Jesus Calling 10/15) or slippery slopes of self-reliance.

Proverbs 3:17 says, Her (wisdom) ways are pleasant and all her paths, peaceful.

Path pondering began yesterday and has continued to keep popping up today---looks like I might be on this path for awhile.

20/20 VISION FOR 2020

Entry to celebrate yesterday.

SERENE SABBATH SOUGHT! Circled all the upcoming Sabbath dates on my October 2020 calendar!

Nothing but prayer, a walk, time with hubby and checking the entire Bible (hard copy) for books with 20 + chapters that had at least 20 verses. One resonated with me.......Ezekiel 20:20......

........and keep my Sabbath holy that they might be a sign between me and you that you may know that 

I am the LORD your God.

SERENE SABBATH FOUND!

Camping out in the Psalms 9/2020