PRIVILEGES......of Retirement

9/11/13 Grandparents' Day..........especially a privilege at a school that not only invites you to join your "grand" for lunch but  gives you a gift when you sign in and welcomes you with big signs throughout the campus AND prepares a special turkey & dressing lunch. Not to mention the principal gives her faculty duty free lunch yet she "works" cafeteria duty the entire time, even wiping the tables. My favorite part was her announcement (sly) reminder as she commended the 4th graders for living up to the school's expectations. Grandson, Owen, said his school had a lot of rules and "spectations."

The other plus was sitting across the table from Kate, a youngster I had prayed for in her early years when I was teaching at HHS with her mother. That was a BIG plus. Such a cutie. She told me her grandmother had come the "other" day before this. I think this is a three day event. 

Grandparents' Lunch at a school that cares about kids---a real privilege!

MEMORY MARKS

9/10/13 Sometimes it's the little things that can have a BIG impact on our memory bank. Smells, tunes, a soft breeze---all sensory triggers for my memory, such that it is.  My mind's eye seems to reside in my memory and it too can trigger emotional impressions of previous events. 

Visual recall is what occurred this morning as once again (2 times prior) I went to clean the upstairs bathroom. It quickly progressed to emotional recollection as I saw Andrew's (almost 3) scribbles on the tub tile. I couldn't wash it away. I prayed for him instead. 

Maybe when Lucy (almost 2) visits in October, she will be inspired to add her own markings to those of her cousin Andrew. I hope so.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (and grandchildren) walk in truth.        (3 John 1:4) 

Family treasures---that's what memory marks are to me,

Meditation Affirmation

9/9/13 Tonight begins the first night of BSF's new year. 

My prayer for Cathy, our Bible Study Fellowship teaching leader, is from the last verse of the last chapter of our focused book, Matthew. It's also my verse for this "Meditation Monday." I value the truth contained in the verse. The truth of my need to not only understand the commands of the Lord through more study of His word BUT also to obey what I already understand from Jesus's words:

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20, NLT)

As Christians, ministry is ongoing for all of us. We are to be His hands and feet as we love Him and obey His teachings. That love for Him will overflow allowing us to love and benefit others. Yet, as this verse reminds us He is always with us in this endeavor. 

His Presence always! His continual Presence---we can be sure of this. That's affirming and worthy of continuing meditation.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Drawn to Worship

9/8/13 Glaciers are massive. Even from a distance, their grandeur is evident. 

One of my favorite days in Alaska was our day cruising in Stephens Passage watching the eagles soar and the humpback whales “blowing” as they propelled themselves in and out of the water. But I was not prepared for the overwhelming sense of the beauty of God’s creation as we turned into the Tracy Arm Fjord (only about a mile wide) and approached Sawyer Glacier. Though I was only viewing from our balcony I felt compelled to be still. It was as if quiet was in order. Stillness was required to fully experience the moment. Though we pointed and oohed and ahhed, my insides were quiet. “Still” in spirit and in awe of my Creator.

The entire experience seemed to nourish my soul----as if I had encountered God. Wonder and awe filled me. The blue colors alone seemed to explode before my eyes. How many shades of blue can there be!

Be still and know that I am God;……I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

I can’t fully explain it. The pictures won’t do it justice but they are definitely snapshots of a “Sabbath-type” moment. A time of worship.

SUNRISE--SUNSET

9/6/13 Travels this summer have afforded me views of sunrises and sunsets from the east coast where the sun's rays first hit the US shores to the west coast off the shores of Alaska. Great reminders of the privilege of having those glorious days to celebrate life.

July 17, 2013--Cadillac Mountain, Acadia Maine-- 4:32 AM

August 31, 2013-- Inside Passage, Alaska-- 8:53 PM

Yesterday as I attended the funeral of a friend's hubby, I realized how fleeting those days are. How precious to learn that the couple had known each other for 49 years, since their junior high days. Yet, how short those days of new sunrises must seem to the widow.

Psalm 39:4 reminds all of  us of the brevity of our earthly lives.

"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.(NIV)

As I age the realization of how quickly life passes becomes very clear, as the NET version of that psalm states. 

"O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! (NET) 

That truth reminds me to make the most of my days. 

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

As Daddy used to say, "I'm grateful for each day the good Lord gives me. May I, too, be grateful and wisely live out each day I am given......from sunrise to sunset.

OH, BUOY!

9/4/13 Oh, buoy----ship anchored but I'm still floating......partly with swimmy head and unsteady sea legs......mostly with good memories mixed with a need to reclaim my "land legs."

Body still on Alaska time (AKDT).

Arrived Memphis 1:30 am. after driving in from Nashville flight. Rolled out of bed an hour ago. Getting ready to roll back in. 

What?? No turn down! No cute "shaped towel" on my bed. 

No Eggs Benedict with a filet. Where's room service?

Oh, buoy, reality is starting to set in.

God's Creation: A Pictorial Meditation

9-2-13 Psalm 19--a meditation from the Carnival cruise ship's Gideon Bible. Pix from balcony of 6297.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

    The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known.

They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Colorful Seattle

9-1-13 WHIRLWIND day in Seattle before embarking on the Carnival Miracle to set sail for Alaska....

Space Needle: Seattle's most emblematic symbol built in 1962 for the World's Fair

4th Ave. and Pike St. 

Seattle Waterfront's Great Wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay

Pike Place Market: Unusual Veggies Abound

Seattle's  Eliott Bay Marina 

GONE CRUSIN'

8/27/13 Setting sail from Seattle in a few hours on an Alaskan inside passage cruise. A first ever "big" cruise for hubby and me.

The "surprise" team of 6 family and friends shocked my brother Buddy at the airport in Nashville yesterday, He thought that only he and his wife, Charlotte, were going on a leisurely cruise with their "regular" cruising buddies, Cindy and Billy. Char planned it all and he did NOT have a clue. I know, because he "puddled"----a few tears of joy and excitement for all of us. 

Praises for God's goodness!

See you in September.

Bon Voyage!

R.E.S.T.

8/26/13

REST---it’s the theme for our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women’s Ministry Bible Study this year. It’s so timely for so many. Tired people grow weary in trying, weary of forgiving, wearing of the pain and struggle. Weariness can be overwhelming.

People who need rest and refreshment often turn to pills, alcohol, even the spa to reenergize their sad lives as Max Lucado says in “Facing Your Giants.” But do they? There may be a reprieve from the weariness and the pain may be postponed, BUT is it removed?

Jesus Calling (8/3) reminds us that in such times, one should be quick to pray. Oswald Chambers “My Utmost….” entry (8/20) reminds us that our Lord is the One who establishes rest. 

Crickett, our WM director gave a helpful acronym to remember these truths

Re-order your priorities Lay all your burdens prayerfully before the Lord.

Exercise restraint. Learn to say, “No.”

Slow Down. God can redeem our time for His purposes.

Trust God. ‘Nuf said!!

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Lucado, 8/15)

R.E.S.T. might not have a tune but it has it’s own lyrics for the heart---and those words are meditation for today.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)