MORE GRACE AND MERCY!

Thanks to Allen Bible Church for the reminder during this time of need for so many, me included!

SMILES! SMILES!! SMILES!!! SMILES!!!!

2 sisters on the way to school---first year in middle school and first year in pre-school. 

1 note

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” -Isaiah 41:13  NIV

1 pic with a verse 

From a friend who doesn't even know I am having a big test today!

2+1+1=4

4 big reasons to smile!

GRACE & MERCY!

Grace and mercy. Two road signs I choose to follow! How about you?

God's grace through Jesus is greater than all our sins! His mercies are new every morning! I know because I prayed thru the characteristics of God this morning as I exercised.

Anyway you say it, with whichever term you use, mercy and grace are both attributes of love. God's love! 

I want to stay on their paths, especially when those street signs are so obviously needed in my life.

For my "Wednesday Wordsmiths"............

Recently, I read that mercy and grace are 2 sides of the same coin!

Mercy withholds (intentional or unintentional) deserved punishment; grace endows unmerited favor. Greek word for mercy is eleos (pity and compassion); the Greek word for grace is charis (favor)

Mercy is compassionate love to the weak, and grace is generous love to the

unworthy. Humans are weak and unworthy - we all need God's mercy and grace. Mercy takes us to the path of forgiveness while grace leads us to reconcilliation.

(https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-difference-between-grace-and-mercy.html)

CELEBRATE READING!

    Read a Book! With encouragement and permission!! TODAY!!!

Thanks for the reminder from dear friend and author, Michèle Phoenix, whose books I would read any day! 

STRICKLY SOUTHERN... OR NOT!

How does one know they are in the South? Usually it's when a "native" southerner opens his mouth. "Idinit" true!

Chitterlings and neck bones and sweet tea on a menu board could be another clue.

Jevver hear such!

Once one gets passed the joking, there's lots to appreciate about the place where God has placed you---be it north, south, east or west. Whether there's chitterlings or chateaubriand on your plate. 

From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (Acts 17:26)

What was God's reasoning for this one might ask.

God did this so they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. (Acts 17:27)

Regardless of where one lives, as "God's offspring" (Acts:17:29) may he or she remember..."in Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28a) with a cuppa, cappuccino or a glass of sweet tea! May there always be kindness in your cup as you serve others.

OBIT! OBIT!! OBITS!!!

It's that time of life---at least for us! Three funerals in the last three days.

Last month there were 2 others we were unable to attend.

One was live-streamed which I so appreciated!

The beauty of the live-stream was that we not only saw our friend's family during the recessional but we were able to sing along as the words were on our screen. Gripping words. Beautiful words.

God teaches us in His word that our days are numbered. In Psalm 90 Moses prays, the value of knowing our days are numbered....."that we might gain a heart of wisdom." 

We might miss those who have passed on but to the Lord, but "precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of His saints; devoted, faithful servants, godly ones,  loved ones, righteous ones.(Psalm 116:15) regardless of the translation one uses.

Precious

יָ֭קָר (yā·qār)

in the sight

בְּעֵינֵ֣י (bə·‘ê·nê)

of the LORD

יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)

[is] the death

הַ֝מָּ֗וְתָה (ham·mā·wə·ṯāh)

of His saints.

לַחֲסִידָֽיו׃ (la·ḥă·sî·ḏāw) 

WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

Do you sometimes feel at your wits end as if your falling headlong into the deep?

This signage reminded me of that question from a long ago journal entry.

I'm not even sure what this signage indicates. It certainly caught me off guard as it reflected those long ago feelings mixed with today's realities.

The answer 36 years ago, 13 years ago, 2 years ago and the answer now are the same.

God is with us.....regardless of the outcome.

This mirror which I see daily as I get our of bed was delivered by Art Bouck who was in Switzerland per a Hans Schaefer request from Michele Phoenix at the Black Forest Academy in Germany, has attested to that truth for over 13 years.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(Isaiah 41:10)

 Ask self, "Where am I headed?

SIGNAGE!

For years I've had a fascination with signage. It's such a directional noun. Someone with an aka nickname of Ms Rand McNally has collected images during many travels.

Paring down has me finding many of those images.

Images circa 1998. Location England. Through a couple of roundabouts to a road filled with crossing signs. 

Today those distances seem to reflect life. It seems to be passing by as quickly as Diane, JoLynn and I cruised down those village roads. (Proverbs 3:2-4)

Just yesterday I was headed (running excitedly) to Virginia Street Elementary School with a friend. It's a good thing because Mother didn't get her driver's license until I was in 10th grade, I think.

Even more quickly than that our children had their own children to walk to the pre-school door, high school graduation and drop off at college.

Elderly. What a term. I'm there but I still don't like the term or the condescending glances I feel when I'm out and about.

But God reminded me: 

• Regardless of our ages Lord, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, (Psalm 90:12) 
• doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him,(Colossians 3: 17) 
• letting my adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.(1 Peter 3:4)

O God, when the time comes may I eagerly search for the perfect signage.

Highway to Heaven.

TRUST

TRUST! Easy to type. Hard to hold on to some days.

Yesterday's phone call from doc had me tightly embracing trust in Him once again.

What a great reminder this was------

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; 

they shall rise up with wings like eagles; 

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

(Isaiah 40:31)

..........an advertisement that "drives it home"!

*This entry is dedicated to Beth Dixon, who shall one day "walk with the Lord Jesus" in heaven!

SUNFLOWERS!

Sunflowers are a national symbol of Ukraine.

This picture of a field of sunflowers in Ukraine was today's bright bloom for this their 31st anniversary of Independence. My friend shared that 4 hrs & 44 minutes of air raid sirens had blared before 2:30 pm, EET. Still their President Zelenskyy hailed a reborn Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth sent encouraging words encouraging them to celebrate their culture, history and identity; US President Biden sent a gift, nearly $3 billion of military aid.

It has not been a day without tragedy ----but the people of Ukraine remain as hopeful as their fields of sunflowers.....their symbol of resistance, unity and hope!