You Light Up My Life

 

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. ~Genesis 1:3

We are definitely in the middle of a typical summer storm pattern here in the South.  The hot days cause a lot of evaporation that encourages the formation of thunder storms, possibly severe, to crop up in the late afternoons or early evenings.  Last Friday night testifies mightily to this seasonal phenomenon.

It's 7 o'clock, and Danny and I have just begun playing our ritual, after-dinner backgammon games.  Being the weather fanatic that he is, he has his phone open to his favorite radar detection app, so we have an accurate prediction of there the current storms are heading and when they might arrive on our doorstep.  As I mentioned in a previous post HERE, we rarely lose our power during storms, even in the worst ones.

But as life teaches us time and again, there are exceptions to every rule.

BOOM!  Our lights vanish in the blink of an eye.  Danny springs into action.  He grabs two flashlights within arms reach of the kitchen table and hands one to me.  Then down the stairs he goes to the laundry room where are emergency lanterns are stored.  He returns in no time and at least, with the extra lights, we can see enough to make do.  But what about our backgammon games?  It's obvious that one of our lanterns will have to be elevated so it can illuminate the board.

Yes, that's an industrial-sized roll of clear wrap we've had on our kitchen island since we purchased it in February of 2022, and it's still going strong!  It seems like a good idea at the moment, but we quickly realize that parts of the board are still in shadow.  Danny selects another type of lantern to sit on the other end of the board to see if that improves things.

It does, but something still doesn't seem quite right.  Yes, pun intended, a lightbulb goes off in Danny's head.  He has recently purchased a battery-powered light for his music stand, and has a strong feeling it just might do the trick.  Voila!

Happily, our games can now continue, even though I lose more than I win.  I wish I could say I'm a graceful loser, but I'm not.  Danny has so much patience for which I'm most appreciative.  After we play round after round, we're ready to switch gears.  Danny finds one of my favorite shows on my phone which we set up on a special tripod bought to make our FaceTime calls with family members hands-free.

The hour-long show concludes, and as it does, our power returns!  Just in time for me to get ready for bed without having to tote a flashlight with me.  And thankfully, too, with the a/c back up and running, we can rest assured of a cool and comfortable night's sleep.

I must confess that I have, at times, teased Danny about his prepper tendencies.  Not anymore.  He literally embodies that old boy scout motto:  Be prepared.  All his gadgets sure come in handy on this dark and stormy night.

So, honey, thank you for being here with me through the good times and the bad.  You always and ever, light up my life!

Amen!

No Matter How Different

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is is the same God at work. ~1 Corinthians 12:4-6

In kindergarten, our oldest grandchild, Virginia, is introduced to the concept of making frames out of colored popsicle sticks.  Her artwork may seem primitive at first glance, but I see promise.  Her Papa and I still cherish it to this day, and it's proudly displayed on a small table beside my computer desk.

I surmise that, as much as she loves to draw and color, Virginia might just have a gift for art, one she can realize more fully as she grows and matures.  The once five-year-old is just about to turn fifteen.  No, I can't believe it, either!  And my hunch about her artistic abilities has come to fruition in those ten short years.

Her mom, Sarah, sends us these photos of her most recent creations.  I'd love to know what you think.

And Virginia's favorite character, Hugh Laurie, from Dr. House.

When we chat this past week on FaceTime, I tell Virginia how marvelous it is to have been given such a talent by God, and that she should continue to develop it for His honor and glory.  She gets it.  This isn't about her prestige, her ability, and perhaps, her future notoriety.  It's all about being thankful to the One who, in His gracious generosity, bestows unique gifts upon all His children.

I hope and pray that Virginia will always place her love for God above every other love in her life, and choose to be a servant leader in any and every endeavor she undertakes, whether it be in the field of art or in an occupation she can't even yet imagine.

And isn't that what we all should aim for in our lives?  Because no matter what our achievements and accolades received in and by this world, they cannot hold a candle to the One who makes it all possible.

For all of us, no matter how different our gifts might be, we can rest assured that it is the same Lord and God at work in us.

Amen!

There, but for the Grace of God

Our house in the winter months

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. ~Ephesians 2:8

I'm sure that those of you who regularly read my posts already know how enamored I am with living in a forest.  Our home can truly be called The Little House in the Big Woods.  As summer is literally heating up, having this much shade all around moderates the severity of the temperature and cuts down on our air conditioning costs.

I wouldn't be honest, though, if I didn't admit that there are some drawbacks now and then.  Danny is vigilant in keeping his eyes on all our trees to determine whether any limbs are dead or dying, and if the location of such branches poses a threat to our roof, decks or driveway.  When the consensus is a "yes," he will promptly contact a trusted tree removal company to mitigate the chances of damage to the property.  In rare cases, we've had to have entire trees cut down due to disease and even a once-in-a-lifetime (knock on wood) lightning strike that adversely affects two giant pines that were growing close together in the back yard.

Last Tuesday, we experience a particularly drenching rainfall accompanied by thunder and downdrafts to beat the band.  No tornado sirens scream, but since I'm here in the house by myself (Nicco has taken Danny for a pacemaker check in downtown Atlanta), it's all I can do not to head downstairs to our safe room.  Thankfully, the storm is short lived.

But the damage is done.

A dead limb, not previously perceived as an immediate threat, succumbs at last to gravity's pull.  Not during the actual storm, mind you, but two days later, making it that much more dangerous for the unsuspecting.  What shakes me up the most is where it lands - right over one of our two compost piles!

And the place from which it broke.

All I can think of, and thank the good Lord for, is that Danny was not dumping the raw waste from our kitchen into that compost bin at that fateful moment.  The weight of the limb and its impact could have killed an elephant, let alone a human being.  There but by the grace of God, could have been Danny when that ill-fated branch fell.

Ahh!  The grace of God is truly amazing, indeed!

Amen!

God's Peace and Presence

 

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~Isaiah 55:12

I'm so grateful to live where we do.  When I need to be reminded of God's peace and presence, all I have to do is step out on our deck, sit on one of our benches and look up.  The trees, their branches laden with a myriad of summer leaves, tower above me, their soaring heights forming a cathedral ceiling of green.  Their light-seeking faces lifted in prayer and praise to the One upon whom they depend for life and growth.

And in the winter months, when twigs and branches display skeletal features, still they stretch and strive to adown the sky with unique acclaim for the One who created them.

When the weather is inclement and precludes sitting outside, I can always find solace in God's word.  I keep my Bible, devotional and grace journal in what Danny and I unceremoniously call the "Middle Room."  This is originally Nicco's bedroom growing up.  Now it serves as a place of study and reflection for me, and the space where we break forth into singing as we practice the praise songs we sing at our church.  So many positive vibes and thoughts happen here.  It creates a quiet, yet palpable, spirit of peace.

The table itself is a source of joy for me.  Many a happy meal is shared by both my mom and dad when just Danny and I would visit.  Later, after dad's passing, Virginia and I would often go to their home in Oxford, Georgia, to stay with mom for the weekend.

Yes, that is a very little Virginia at age seven!  But she is seated at that very same table where memories continue to be made.

There is a part of me that wishes the both of us felt confident enough, health-wise, to travel like we used to, seeing sites that aren't in our own backyard, but those days aren't in the offing.  All the more reason to thank the Lord for all His past blessings that give us cherished memories, and to embrace the blessings of each new day He sees fit to give us.

And if you're planning a vacation away with your family or friends this summer, may you go out with joy, and be led out with peace in all your adventures.  I would love to hear about your plans in the comments!

As for me, I'll be content to sit on our deck, and hear the birds singing along to the rhythm the rustling trees create as they clap their hands for joy.

Amen!

God Shed His Grace

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. ~Psalm 42:11

When I happen upon this quote by the Reverend Billy Graham, I'm instantly inspired.  My word for the year - GRACE - clamors for my immediate attention.  But it's the way he links grace with mercy and hope that really gets my thoughts whirling.  How is hope even possible for our minds to grasp if our loving Father didn't place it there when He created us?  And how can we even begin to comprehend the depth of God's mercy and grace unless we confess that we are sinful beings in desperate need of a Savior?

It is all interconnected.  Inextricably intertwined.  A trinity without which we neither live, move nor have our being.

Simple, isn't it?  Then why, when we see the chaos and confusion in our world today, are so many people despondent and discouraged?  Their souls, as so aptly expressed by the psalmist, are cast down and despondent.  They crave solutions, release, happiness, freedom, but hopes placed upon anything other than God will never satisfy.

To paraphrase a popular song (or two), they are literally looking for love in all the wrong places, not realizing that they can't get no satisfaction outside of God Himself.

Blessedly, here in the United States, there appears to be a spiritual revival afoot, especially among the younger generations.  This could not happen at a more crucial time in our country's history.  In a Fox News op-ed written by the Reverend Samuel Rodriguez and published on June 1st, he states in part:

This is the age of Aquinas and Augustine, of Kierkegaard and Lewis, of Tolkien, Lennox, Wright, and others.  An age where orthodoxy is not an obstacle but a lifeline.  Young men and women are hungry for truth, tired of relativism, and ready for something real.  This is the pendulum swinging back.  Not toward nostalgia - but toward a rediscovery of eternal absolutes.

He goes on to highlight the cultural shift in perceptions about God and Christ as witnessed in American Idol contestants unapologetically performing worship songs, to the NFL players (and many college players, too) sharing prayer time before and after games.  Rodriguez attests:  The name of Jesus is being lifted - not with fanfare, but with authenticity.

If this trend continues to gather steam and attention, who knows how many lives can and will be saved for eternity?  A nation that places its hope in God will not just survive, it will thrive!

So, thank you, Reverend Graham.  The evangelism to which you committed your long and illustrious life has proved fruitful, indeed.  God's mercy is reigning over this land, so there isn't a reason for any of us to be downcast.  May we freely lift our unified voices to boldly and joyfully sing:  America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

Amen!

Under Pressure

 

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ~Psalm 46:10

I am a homebody.  There is nothing I like better than to have an entire day stretching before me without one appointment or obligation that involves leaving the house.  I prefer, above all, being able to stick to a daily routine of meaningful activities balanced with quiet times of prayer and reflection.  While others might perceive this as boring, I find it completely satisfying.

Last week, however, is anything but routine.  Between Danny and me, there are three medical appointments.  That's three too many, if you ask me, but they aren't the kinds you should or could postpone.  On Monday, I meet with my cardiologist to review some recent tests I have done.  The next day brings my annual physical with blood work to boot.  Thursday, we are at the dermatologist so Danny can have her check for any possible signs of potential skin cancer.  No worries!  Everything is super-duper for two folks in their seventies.

But there is one concerning issue that only applies to me.  When the medical assistant takes my blood pressure at the two appointments previously mentioned, it's WAY higher than it has ever been.  Am I alarmed?  You bet!  I'm already on a regimen for controlling blood pressure, so this isn't the news I want or expect to hear.

The remedy?  I'm taking my blood pressure at home for several weeks to see if it returns to what I consider the normal range for me.  Danny, with his love of spread sheets, faithfully tracks the daily tally.  After a while, we'll send the results to both doctors to see what their verdict is.

Surprisingly, neither my cardiologist nor my primary care doctor show undue concern at the numbers recorded in their respective offices.  Perhaps, both suggest, it's a bad case of the dreaded White Coat Syndrome.  Only time, and a quieter, less stressful schedule, will tell.

We don't begin recording the at-home blood pressure until last Friday.  Yes, we are out and about for some errands that day, but basically, the blood pressure is better.  I'm feeling hopeful, and the fact that Danny is leaving the blood pressure cuff in plain view helps me feel less anxiety and trepidation.  That's because it's now a part of the daily routine.  By Saturday (the day I'm drafting this post), I can joyfully state that all has returned to normal!

Yes, we will continue to record the readings, twice a day, if need be, and at approximately the same time each day.  I'm feeling optimistic as the week ahead holds nothing pressing in the way of out-of-the-ordinary activities.  There will be plenty of opportunities to simply be still, immerse myself in God's Word, and know that He, and only He, is in full control of whatever may happen down the road.

Whether you're a stay-at-home type like me, or a person who can't wait to tackle the next adventure out in the world, know that God cares for you, infinitely and intimately.  When the pressure's on, depend upon Him to relieve you, taking your every burden on Himself.

Amen!

Hand in Hand

 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10

If you are age 50 or above, your eyes, more than likely, require help in order to comfortably read a book or focus on the details of a photo.  I can't function if I don't have my readers with me everywhere I go.  They are indispensable to me.

So, why do I wait so long to put them on a lanyard?  Honestly, it is a preconceived notion of mine that only "old ladies" wear their readers around their necks.  I don't want glasses dangling from an outdated-looking chain, advertising my age faster than my face can.  How vain is that?  I know I need to get over myself because I tire of leaving my glasses in another room or having them flip out of my shirt collar and crash onto the floor every time I bend over to empty the dishwasher or make the bed.

Resigning myself to the prospect of attaching a chain to my readers, I'm pleasantly surprised to see a friend at church wearing a much subtler lanyard to hold hers.  So unobtrusive, in fact, that I have never even noticed it before.  And there is NOTHING old lady about her!  When I ask where I can find a lanyard like hers, W. actually sends an Amazon link to my phone right then and there.  I place my order that very afternoon, and I'm so pleased with the purchase!

Yes, wearing the lanyard does take some getting used to after all these years of going without, but the relief of securing my readers so that I know where they are at all times makes any adjustment required of me seem trivial.  The glasses are upheld by the firm grip of the lanyard and the fear of being dropped is dispelled.

When we trust in God completely, we are held securely by His righteous right hand.  We know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He is who He says Hi is.  We can lean into His strength when we are weak, and rest assured that He will help us through every earthly struggle.  Just as the lanyard's hold on the readers is sure and certain, God's hold is infinitely firm, tenacious and forever.

Jesus is always there to offer His righteous right hand.  Will you accept it?  Are you already walking hand in hand with the Lord?  Please share in the comments.

Amen!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

 

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. ~Psalm 96:2

Do you watch the news on cable television?  I certainly do, but I'm a one-trick pony when it comes to my choice.  It's Fox News, hands down for me.  Why?  Because I know I will see and hear different views and impressions about the news of the day, and even see clips from other major news outlets.  Fox truly lives up to its slogan - Fair and Balanced.

Now, am I so much of a news nerd that I watch it from dawn to dusk?  No way!  But there are a few go-to favorites that reliably grab my time and attention.  As I tend to rise early in the mornings, I like to wake up with Fox & Friends as I sip my coffee and get my bearings for the day ahead.

The hosts are always entertaining and informative, down-to-earth, and just plain likeable.  Their camaraderie and candor with one another are so refreshing to see.  And the special human interest features are always a plus that can add a lighthearted feel to any news of the day.

My other choices are The Five and Jesse Watters Prime Time for many of the same reasons.

I mean, honestly, how many news shows can you name that are able to interject good-natured humor and some laugh-aloud moments along with the actual news?  I know I can't think of any that beats out these two in my book.

And why, might you ask, do I even like watching the news at all?  Is it an obsession with FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out?  No, for me it's FOBU - the Fear of Being Uninformed.  I like to know what's going on in the world so I can look it straight in the eyes and deal with it accordingly.  Even when the news is bad, it isn't an options for me to run away and bury my head in the sand.

Today's news cycle changes constantly.  What grabs headlines on Monday may very well be tossed out of the media window by Tuesday.  And if we perceive it as bad news, we gladly bid it farewell.  But the good news?  We wish that it could linger just a bit longer.

Still, as believers, we know the good news of God's salvation day after day.  It never fails or fades away, but is new every morning.  And best of all, this good news is eternal.  It is our go-to headline when the world seems to have lost its collective mind.

When it comes to the Lord's good news, we can joyfully proclaim:  "Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!"

Amen!

Rain or Shine

 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.  He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.'  Hypocrites!  You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. ~Matthew 16:1-3

Unusual weather we're havin', ain't it? ~The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz

The month of May here in Georgia is usually one replete with warm temperatures to herald the hot, humid, sticky, wall-of-heat summer in the offing.  But if you look at the header photo, you can see for yourself that this May is off to an anomalous start.  Yes, here it is, 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and our high is 64 very cool degrees.  Since neither Danny nor I are partial to Georgia summers, this is a welcome, if temporary, respite from stifling temperatures and high air conditioning bills.

According to our local weather prognosticators, this entire week should feature highs only in the low 70s.  Talk about a breath of fresh air!  Now, to be fair, there will be rain for most of that time, but in my book, that's not a downside.  I love the rain, and with it, our moss transforms into a thick carpet of emerald green - a joy to behold!

Weather is the one topic that everyone talks about, but there isn't anything we can do to change it.  Yet, it can change much about us.  For example, we can grumble and complain about that washed-out picnic or rain delay in a baseball game.  Or, we can accept the inclement day with gratefulness for an opportunity to put our feet up and read that novel or watch that movie we've been putting off for far too long.  It's all about attitude and outlook.

In today's fast-paced world, we have all kinds of computer models and sophisticated technology that allow meteorologists to predict the weather for the weeks ahead with astonishing accuracy.  The people living in Jesus' day depended on the signs given in the natural world to know when to prepare for sun or rain.  Even in the 21st Century, the saying in the scripture above is paraphrased this way:  Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors' delight.

But Jesus isn't idly chatting about the weather with the Pharisees and Sadducees.  He's chastising them for their inability to see, right before their eyes, the very manifestation of all the scriptures they claim to understand and interpret better than anyone else.  Despite their immersion in the law and the prophets, they miss the Sign to which all are pointing.  They, like the elite in our time, are so consumed by their prestige and power, they cannot accept that this no-name, itinerant preacher from Galilee, with His rag-tag followers, is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the One for whom they have been waiting.

Jesus IS the sign from heaven.

Like the blind Pharisees and Sadducees, do we fail to see Him?

Do we fail to see Him for who He truly is?

Do we fail to follow Him in obedient joy for the grace He has so lavishly poured out upon us?

Since of of us sin and fall short of God's glory, the answer to the questions posed above is a resounding YES.  But when we confess our sins and run to Jesus, He will wrap us up in His arms of love and compassion, and forgive us those sins.  He isn't a fair-weather friend, but a forever one.  Rain or shine, we can rejoice because the Lord Jesus is with us.

Amen!

The Power to Heal

 

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. ~Matthew 4:23

I take the photo featured in the header last week.  Why?  Because I spy it hanging on the wall in one of the last places I would expect to see something like this.  Yet, there it is, as plain as day.  Care to guess where Danny and I are?

Believe it or not, this plaque is on display in the patient check-out area of a doctor's office.  I must admit, I do the proverbial double-take, then whip my phone out of my purse to document this anomaly.  Like dear Doubting Thomas, I have to confess that until I see this with my own eyes, I would never take someone else's word that this plaque is proudly displayed in a doctor's place of business.

Will wonders never cease?

In our predominantly secular society, God is rarely given the credit when it comes to healing.  That's become the domain of physicians, nurses and medical researchers.  We humans have a dangerous tendency to posit our trust in those who have more knowledge, education and training in the field of medicine than we could ever hope to understand.  Sadly, from this worldly perspective, we put our faith in perceived professionals instead of the One who created us all.

This plaque, with its succinct and truthful statement about healing turns our upside-down thinking into right-side-up understanding.  Our competent and skilled doctors are just that because they've been endowed by God with the gifts of healing.  It is their calling.  But they are only the vessels of those gifts, not the source.

In the end, whether it's by divine intervention in this life, or not until we enter our eternal rest with the Lord, we will be healed, fully and completely, as God assures us in His Word.  I have some dear friends who struggle with pain and its debilitating effects on their wee-being each and every day.  No amount of medicine or therapy can change that for them.

But they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God walks with them every step of this earthly journey.  They don't complain.  They lose neither faith nor hope.  They continue to pray.  I continue to pray for them.  God hears all of our prayers, and will answer them in His impeccable timing.

Jesus may no longer be physically among us, teaching, preaching and healing in person, but He knows every pain we endure and each diagnosis that causes us suffering.  He's gone through it all, and more, Himself.

May we be truly thankful for our medical professionals, but remember always the only One who has the lasting power to heal us.

Amen!

The Smart Move

 

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ~1 Peter 4:10

I've never been one who buys anything for the sake of merely owning it.  I'll use it up or wear it out before replacing clothes or other items that don't require an upgrade of sorts.  Take my phone, for example.  Even though it's seen better days, and no longer holds a charge reliably, I dig in my heels and obstinately refuse to entertain the idea of a new one.

And then, just like that, Danny persuades me otherwise.  His reaction is prompted by the tariffs proposed that will more than likely raise the price of smart phones in the foreseeable future.  We determine that it's better to invest in an upgrade now than wait and watch the costs soar.

Danny's brother recently purchases a Motorola Edge 2024 and is pleased with the product.  We decide that this same model will work well for me, too, without costing the proverbial arm and leg.  I pay for the phone, and much to my surprise, Danny orders a 68-watt charger separately, one made specifically for this particular model.

When Danny claims this gadget will charge my phone to full in 15 minutes, I'm skeptical, of course.  How can anything work that quickly and efficiently?  Oh, but how wrong I am!  It works lightning fast, and the new (for me) phone holds that charge to the point where I only have to think about giving it some "juice" every three days at the most.  Wow!  I can't tell you how many times I wake up in the past to discover that my smart phone is "dead."  Not anymore!  Not having that to worry about will take some getting used to.

And best of all, Danny is correct about the cost.  Had we waited until today to purchase it, instead of two weeks ago, it would be $75 more than what I paid.  Now, I'd say that is one smart move for one smart phone!

We know we are blessed to have the financial wherewithal to afford things that can be viewed as non-essential.  But this hasn't happened by accident.  Danny and I believe that we are to be good and faithful stewards of every blessing God sees fit to give us, and that includes our finances.  We work diligently to strike a balance between saving for later and giving in the moment to our church and to those in need.

And always, always, we give thanks to God for the undeserved grace that He freely offers to every one of His children when we first seek His kingdom above all else.

If you haven't already, make the truly smart move:  Allow God's great grace to fill your hearts with peace, joy and abundant life.

His power is always there to recharge you.

Amen!

What's so Good About Good Friday?

 

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?")  When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."  Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  "Now leave him alone.  Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.  With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" ~Mark 15:33-39

What's so good about Good Friday?  This is a question I have pondered in my heart over these many years.  After all, this is the day our Lord and Savior, Jesus, suffered an excruciatingly painful and ignominious death on a cross.  Shouldn't we be calling Good Friday the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Friday?

Bishop Justin Holcomb of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida offers some insight as to why this holy day is called "good."

Still, why call the day of Jesus' death "Good Friday" instead of "Bad Friday" or something similar?  Some Christian traditions do take this approach.  In German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or "Sorrowful Friday."  In English, in fact, the origin of the term "Good" is debated; some believe it developed from an older name, "God's Friday."  Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God's plan to save his people from their sins.

Good for us.  No, wait!  Grand and glorious for us!

Because of Jesus' willingness to obey His Father's plan, we are forgiven our sins, once and for all.  And we can look forward to the coming Easter celebration with hope and joy, and the promise of a renewed relationship with our Father in heaven.

But on Good Friday, let us all take time to see ourselves sitting at the foot of that cross.  Let us become Mary and the disciple whom Jesus loved, who witnessed His immeasurable suffering.

Let us be fully present for our Lord as He gives His all for us.

Let us weep and mourn and pray.

And let us give thanks always for God's undeserved gifts of forgiveness and grace because Jesus took the cross of sin upon Himself for our salvation.

Amen!

See, I am Doing a New Thing!

 

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~Isaiah 34:19

This spring, we living in northwest Georgia have set record pollen counts, with a week ago Saturday topping the charts with a whopping 14,801 grains per cubic meter of air.  Oh, I feel so sorry for people who suffer with seasonal allergies, especially when pollen is reaching unprecedented levels.

I discover these unfamiliar, to me, slender flower-like strands on our back deck just the other day.  What can they possibly be?  Danny uses the Google Lens on his phone and voila!  It turns out these are the nascent flowers from our sugar maple growing right beside our house.  But why have we never seen these before?  More research reveals that sugar maples don't reach seed bearing age until they are between thirty and forty years old.  And since Danny estimates that he planted our maple a little over 30 years ago, it makes all the sense in the world.

Using his zoom lens on his camera Danny captures some amazing photos:

Our mature sugar maple is doing a new thing, and now it springs forth in a way that both delights and fascinates us.  Isn't that just how God works at times?  When we least expect anything about our old, familiar shade tree to do anything else but leaf out for the summer and to grow taller each season, God shows us that there is so much more that He does behind the scenes that we, in our limited knowledge, cannot even begin to fathom.

When the ways before us are seemingly choked with obstacles and debris, and our souls feel parched and sere, the Lord will be there always to make straight our paths and refresh us with His Living Water, the well that will never run dry.

Amen!

Renovation

 

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ~Mark 8:31

March, as most of you already know, is one of the busiest months we've had in a while.  With the kids coming for a week's visit, there are so many preparations and planning for feeding and entertaining the family troops.  We are so pleased, too, that we can show them our most recent, and necessary for us, home improvement project that is finished and ready by the time they arrive.

What is this project, you ask?  A complete renovation of our master bathroom!  Believe me, this is NOT a decision that Danny and I make lightly.  It takes lots of research in choosing a reliable company, not to mention the timeliness of the actual renovation itself.  We feel so fortunate to contract with a local, family-owned and operated bath company with fantastic reviews and stellar customer service.

Their pleasant, knowledgeable sales rep shows up to our home right on time so we can see samples of what we can choose in the way of shower insert, fixtures such as handlebars, which we need, believe me, showerhead options, and new water-resistant flooring.  She isn't pushy or forceful in her presentation, and allows us ample time to pick and choose from seemingly endless styles and colors.  Danny and I easily agree on what we want for this new shower; being married for twenty years (this April 2nd), we know each other's tastes pretty well, if I say so myself.

And why now to accomplish this renovation?  Honestly, we aren't getting any younger, and would like to stay here in our home for as long as the Lord allows.  Danny recently hurts his knee to the point where stepping over the edge of our old-fashioned tub is a daily painful experience.  I, too, have had my fair share of balance issues, so this decision, while an expensive one, makes perfect sense to us.

Here is a photo of our old bathroom:

And here's what it looks like after the remodeling is complete, and freshly painted:

Wow!  What a difference, right?

Yes, our bathroom is completed in one day, as promised.  However, there is a catch:  We have to wait three days before we can use the shower insert to make sure everything has time to set and dry correctly.  Immediately, I'm reminded of the Easter story, the one we will soon be celebrating, the glorious day when God the Father resurrects His beloved Son, Jesus, from the dead.

Waiting three days, taken in the context of our bath remodel, seems unbelievably easy in light of the pain, anguish and confusion that Jesus' followers must have suffered in those dark days between the Lord's death on a cross and His resurrection.  A three-day span must have felt interminable for them.  Consumed by grief and fear, they forget what Jesus has promised them would happen on that blessed third day.

But we, as Christ-followers today, know how the story ends.  And we give thanks and praise to God for the grace and mercy He shows to us through Jesus' conquering, once and forever, death and the grave.  May we all celebrate the renovation of us all from the inside out on Easter and always.

Amen!

Envision the Future, Cherish the Past

 

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. ~Joel 1:3

The day we choose to take Virginia to explore downtown Kennesaw is bright and sunny, with a slight, invigorating chill in the air - perfect for walking outdoors.  I've known about the improvements made within the past two years in our city, but haven't explored the new park or amphitheater, so this is new for me, too!

Virginia recalls our visit to the Southern Museum of the Civil War and Locomotive History (featured above) visit when she is much younger, telling us that, yes, she remembers the huge engine called "The General," which occupies a cavernous room at the museum.  So impressive!

Although we don't go to the museum today, I note that the new park incorporates colorful displays describing the history of the railroad in our area and the infamous "Great Locomotive Chase," which took place during the Civil War as Northern troops stole The General, planning to head to Chattanooga, destroying railroad tracks behind them as they progressed.  A brief history of this event is featured at The City of Kennesaw website if you would like to know more.

And speaking of cities, ours was known as Big Shanty prior to the 1800s.  Why?  Because an abundance of fresh water and railroad work attracted men from all around to earn good money, temporary shacks, or shanties, were set up to house them on site.  In memory of that, Kennesaw hold an annual Big Shanty Festival every April, featuring arts, crafts, food and music for the teeming crowds that attend.  Lots of fun for all!

The day we visit is anything but busy, and we enjoy a fabulous time in the fresh air.

We also stop into a new coffee shop, "The Lazy Labrador," located inside a restored historical home.  The shop is full of students from Kennesaw State University, buried in their laptops, so we decide to take our refreshments outside so we can chat.  We sit in some welcome shade, enjoying the sights and sounds around us, and just as we are standing to leave, I spy this regal fellow perched on a limb, unperturbed by the human activity below.

God's kingdom, it seems, always holds unexpected surprises no matter where we turn!

We are proud of our city for having the vision to plan for the future, yet preserving the rich history of our past, keeping it vibrant and alive in the present.  May we do the same, and more, in passing on the wisdom and love of our mighty, powerful God and Savior, to all the generations who follow us.

Papa and Virginia walking through the tunnel under the railroad tracks.

Amen!