Kittie Cat Christmas

 

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ~Romans 8:22

Rocky and Riley are the two fortunate kitties that my daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, adopt after they lose their beloved Henry in January of this year.  They hope that these new additions will help their girls, especially Virginia, who thought of Henry as her best friend, begin to heal the gaping holes Henry's passing leaves in their hearts.

Their strategy works!  Whenever we FaceTime, we can count on one of the girls carrying the nearest cat to the phone so we can see them, too.  They have become fast friends with these sweet pets.

After Thanksgiving, Sarah and John decide to set up their Christmas tree.  This is the first Christmas for the young kitties.  While no one thinks they will anything more than curl up under it, just as Henry used to, they are in for an unexpected surprise.

Riley is a climber!

Seeing her innocent face peeking out from amidst the branches warms everyone's hearts.  She isn't destructive in the least, and it seems to us that she wants to embrace the Christmas spirit with her new "furever" family.  As for Rocky?  He seems content to stay grounded in the glitter below.

All of God's creatures, I believe, rejoice in their own way as we look forward to our celebration of our Savior's coming into the world, knowing Jesus will return one day to establish his kingdom on earth.  They seem to know, too, with the changes happening in their once-familiar environment, something special awaits on the horizon.

And yes, indeed, that is truer than true.

Amen!

~

As promised, here is an update on Alexandra:  Her surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids is successful!  The doctor told John and Sarah that there was a lot of scarring, so it was past time to have this done.  Although she is still hurting, and has to take some pain medication, Sarah tells me that her voice now has a higher pitch than it did before since she isn't so stuffed up.  Prayers for her complete healing are so appreciated, dear friends.  Thanks most sincerely for all the prayers you've lifted already.  You are the best!

Alexandra with Daddy all smiles and set to go into surgery.  

Prayer Request

 

Alexandra displaying the war paint from her birthday cake last July

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Our youngest granddaughter, Alexandra, is what my mother would have called a "pepper tail."  She is ever spunky, and full of good-humored mischief and daring-do.  No challenge is deemed beyond her capability as she always tries to compete with her two older sisters, Virginia and Savannah, in high-spirited fashion.  Alexandra, with her unruly brown hair, so NOT blonde like her sisters, and a penchant for adventure, never lets anything get her down.

Until now.

She is facing surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids this coming Friday.  Her parents, John and Sarah, know this procedure is inevitable after trips to the doctors and rounds of antibiotics fail to move the needle.  No one wants Alexandra to continue to suffer, but at the tender age of nine, she is daunted by the unknown, not able to fully understand that the surgery she will undergo will alleviate the awful throat and ear pain with which she's been afflicted.

And no child wants to be sick at Christmas.

We will have a FaceTime this week with Sarah and the girls, especially Alexandra.  Her Papa wants her to know that when he was little, he had to have the same procedure done as did her Uncle Giovanni.  He hopes this will reassure her, and give her comfort, that everything being done is for her own good health and happier days in the future.

Sounds a lot like what our loving Father in heaven wants for all of us, doesn't it?

I know this is a crazy, busy time of the year, but could you all add Alexandra to your prayer lists at home and at church?  Your prayers are so needed at this critical juncture in her young life.  And I thank each and every one of you for caring enough to do so.

My heart's desire is to see Alexandra's vim and vigor restored fully before Santa comes down the chimney.  With your prayers, and God's presence, I have every confidence that the Lord will come through for her and the entire family.

May God bless you in this season of Advent and beyond!

Amen!

Watching and Waiting

 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ~James 5:7-8

Advent is here once again, ushering in perhaps the most fruitful season of waiting in the church calendar year.  When we reflect upon waiting, in and of itself, we are often barraged by negative reactions in our minds of the places we find ourselves in the inescapable grips of having to wait.  At the doctor's office.  Caught in snarled traffic.  Endless lines at grocery and department store check outs.

We grow frustrated.  Angry, even.  We feel our blood pressure waxing and our patience waning.  On the commercial side of these holidays, we can be tempted to exude none of the good tidings and great joy the season promises with every carol and bell resounding over the store's speakers.

But Advent signals another type of waiting altogether.  This is waiting with a purpose.  A holy purpose.  The heavenly promise fulfilled that night in a lowly stable.  The promise that Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all, will return one day to redeem the entire world, once and for all.

This time, we're not having to wait; we are wanting to wait.

With joy and eager anticipation of His coming again.  Establishing our hearts, making ample room for Him to feel welcomed and adored.

I do hope and pray, during this wondrous season of watching and waiting, that each of you will do so with patience and expectation, knowing that the best gift ever given is close at hand.  And let the joy of Jesus, the Light of the World, to shine through to others, even and especially when you find yourself in a having-to-wait situation.

Amen!

Give Thanks!

 

Backyard wild turkeys in 2019

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His mercy endures forever.   ~1 Chronicles 16:34

In America, this one nation under God, we have so much for which to be thankful.  It is my hope and prayer that each and every one of you who visit here have a most blessed Thanksgiving Day, and that you will give thanks to the Lord with every breath you take.  He is good and His mercy endures forever!

Please take a moment to reflect and leave your messages of gratitude to God in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the Letting Go

 

This poem originally appeared here one year ago.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Verdant leaf, once I was

One of many countless friends

Who waved and shouted glory

In the presence of the sun

Vibrant, filled with vigor

Waxing, no waning thoughts

In the season yet to come

Season here, my color fades

Shining green steeped in brown

There's not the strength to carry on

But in the letting go, I live

Because the promise of the One

Knows I have played my part

Amen!

Top Priority

 

Shiloh Community Church

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ~Matthew 6:33

He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only. ~C. S. Lewis

If someone asks you, what is your top priority in life, what would your answer be?  How do you think most people would respond when confronted with this inquiry?  The modern world in which we live is largely secular.  We are bombarded daily with messages from ads and commercials that we need this or that product to enhance our beauty, whiten our smiles, relieve our pain, achieve our worldly goals, get that promotion, drive the classiest car, reduce our weight, and the list could, and does, go on and on.

Christmas is right around the corner.  Sadly, instead of thoughtfully and lovingly preparing our hearts for the advent of Jesus as a babe in the manger, so many people are strung out like tangled Christmas lights as we prepare our homes for the perfect tree, perfect decorations, perfect meals, and perfect family gatherings in the offing.  We want to appear to be perfect in every way, don't we?

But the hard truth is none of us, even those deemed righteous by others, can ever be perfect.  Nor, were we meant to be.  Dare I say, we need to repeat the phrase, Jesus is the reason for the season, when life becomes hectic and we feel overwhelmed at the holidays.

The world tells us lies about who we are.  It says we're not enough.  We don't have enough.  

But God.

Our Father created us in His image.  Each one of us is unique and loved by Him.  In His gracious time, He sent His only Son not to punish, but to take all the slings and arrows we deserve upon Himself.  What does Jesus ask in return?  Place His Father at the top of our priority list, just as the tops of our Christmas trees often display a shining star symbolizing the great one that guided the wise men to Jesus so many years ago.

So, before the holidays catch you dashing and dancing around like frenzied reindeer, STOP!  Take a deep breath, or two or three.  Close your eyes.  Give prayers and praise to God for all His blessings and mercy in our lives.

If seeking God and His will is at the top of your priority list, all else will fall into place.

Amen!

Your Will Be Done

 

Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ~Matthew 6:10

Seasons come and seasons go

Beyond control of human race

Now is the time for our embrace

Of God.  We need to know

His will for us as days progress

Descend with clarity, His way

Election nigh, so now we say

To Him, we won't shirk, regress

From Your presence, gifts you've given

To Your people who pray

As it is on earth and in heaven

May it come true in the one

Who honors You, Your plan, Your will

My Lord, we pray, be done.

Amen!

A Father's Love

 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing for ever and ever. ~Psalm 52:8

Next year will mark the 50th birthday of Danny's Martin acoustic guitar.  As you can tell by the wear and tear on the body, this instrument has been well loved and well played throughout its many years.  Danny's first real gig after graduating from high school was actually singing and playing in various hotel lounges, mostly throughout Florida.  His repertoire of songs from the '70s is vast, collected and saved in two giant-sized loose-leaf binders with plastic page protectors.

Some of you will recall how special his two boys, Giovanni and Nicco, made their dad's 70th birthday last December.  Not only did they gift him with a refurbished Gretsch electric guitar like the one he played while on the tour circuit, but also gave him a gorgeous set of gold strings for his Martin, which is the only guitar he plays at church.

Alas, just like any other strings, the gold ones wear out with use and must be replaced.

Danny can't bring himself to just throw them away, and comes up with the brilliant idea to use them, along with some old guitar picks and sheet music, to create a shadow box for each of his guys.  We make the trek to Michael's last week for the needed supplies, and these photos show the marvelous results.

Just as Nicco and Giovanni are as different as night and day, Danny makes each shadow box with a unique design.  Giovanni and his wife, Hope, are in town this past weekend, so he is the first to choose the one he prefers.  Honestly, it fits his personality perfectly!  Anyone want to take a guess as to which one he takes with him?  Go ahead!  There's no penalty for a wrong answer.

I've come to realize over the years we've been together that when Danny sets his mind to accomplishing a task or project, he is determined to finish it.  What a great quality that is!  And what he's done here for his boys will be a lasting reminder of the love he has for them in the past, in the now, and forever.

And this reminds me of how much our heavenly Father loves each one of us, uniquely and forever.

Amen!

My Best Face Forward

 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ~Proverbs 31:30

I have worn makeup for most of my adult life.  Not heavy, mind you, but enough so that I feel, when in public, I'm putting my best face forward.  Maybe, that sounds vain to some of you, but as my foundation contains sunscreen in it, and my skin is quite fair, it does afford me that extra protection from the harmful UV rays that tend to prematurely age one's skin, and possibly lead to skin cancer.

The interruption of my daily makeup routine happens during the pandemic.  Really, when half of your face is covered by and unseemly mask, and you aren't around strangers on a day to day basis, why bother?  I realize that I would only be wasting money by continuing to use it.  And Danny?  He is more than a good sport about the whole thing.  He'll tell me, honestly, that my wearing makeup doesn't affect the way he sees me, and I look as fine as when we met over twenty years ago.  Yes, ladies, he's a keeper!

But let's face (pun intended) the facts.  With every passing year, we are all growing older.  The suppleness of youthful skin, no matter how much care we give it, will eventually betray our age.  We can angst about wrinkles and crow's feet, but I prefer to look at them as badges of honor.  A life lived joyfully, with frequent smiles that involve a full facial expression, is destined to create this phenomenon over time.  And no amount of makeup can erase those.

Our outward charm and beauty cannot last, no matter what potions and remedies and snake-oil promises the advertisers would have us believe contain the fountain of youth.  True confession:  I've fallen for lots of them in the past, and guess what?  They don't work!  Oh, there might be a temporary benefit here or there, and if you know of one that you trust, please feel free to leave your info in the comment section.  

In the grand schemes of things, though, I do NOT want to be remembered because I wore fancy makeup.  I already know that I'm beautiful in God's eyes just as I am.  When the time comes for me to return home to Him, I hope and pray that the people most dear to me will remember me as a person whose heart beat for the Lord, and they could always see Jesus in everything I said and did while I was here on earth, loving them all.  Could there be a better legacy than that?

Yes, with or without makeup, may we all strive to put our best face forward for God and His glory.

Amen!

Welcome Home

 

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." ~Matthew 9:37-38

It's that time of the year again!  Our church's annual pumpkin patch is up and running just in time for Halloween and all things autumn.  As this is the largest fund raiser we hold all year, we are hoping that a lot of folks will purchase pumpkins, gourds and goodies during the coming weeks.  The weather has turned sunny, dry and much cooler, and is predicted to stay that way for most of October.  I do hope that puts people in the mood to stop by our church and start decorating their homes and businesses.

These are just a few photos of this year's pumpkin patch, featuring even more pumpkins than we had last year.

We were most fortunate to have an entire baseball team, to which one of our high school church members belongs, volunteer to remove all the pumpkins our of their huge boxes and display them for us last Saturday.  Many in our congregation are older folks who are no longer able to do such physical labor.  God bless those young men with strong arms and backs, and a willingness to serve!

Danny and I count ourselves as part of the baby-boomer crowd.  Because of the health strains on us this year, we can only offer to help in the selling booth when we are both available.  Danny still doesn't feel confident in driving on his own, and I don't blame him.  Last year, I could come and go freely, but that's no longer the case.

Our congregation at Shiloh Community Church isn't large in size, but they're large in love.  My prayer is that those who visit to buy pumpkins will feel God's Holy Spirit through us, and decide to visit with us for church services and/or Bible studies that we offer throughout the year.  As Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel, the harvest of hearts and minds is plentiful, but the workers are few.  May our presence in our community at this time of year turn both heads and hearts toward our true home in the Lord.  As our service bulletin declares each Sunday:

Amen!

Old Glory

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. ~Psalm 33:12

Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. ~John Adams

I have always wanted to fly an American flag at our home.  There are so many neighbors who fly theirs proudly, day after day, here in Kennesaw, Georgia.  And when our patriotic holidays roll around?  The town, itself, displays flag after flag along main streets within the city limits.  It is a constant reminder of the precious freedoms our Founding Fathers envisioned for our nation almost 250 years ago.

We decide to order ours from a company in South Carolina.  I mean, really, does anyone want a flag that is NOT made in the USA?  I don't think so.  Since we have an outdoor camera that catches activity on our driveway and front deck, we have to be strategic about where to place it; the last thing we need is Danny's phone pinging endless alerts because a brisk breeze causes our flag to wave.  That would be counterproductive to the task the camera is supposed to reliably do.

The following photos detail the steps Danny takes to attach the flagpole below the camera's view and still be a witness to our belief in the values upon which our nation was founded.

In less than 30 minutes, Old Glory adorns our home, beckoning one and all to salute and honor her.  Long may our star-spangled banner wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And may the Lord continue to bless and keep us, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Amen!

Prayers, Prayers and More Prayers ~ Part Two

 

Pray without ceasing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:17

As most of you who follow this blog have figured out by now, Danny and I are safe at home.  But allow me to take you back to the anxious time a week ago today when we prepare to leave the Hilton Garden Inn.  We still don't know for certain what awaits us on our return home.  Will there be a branch piercing our roof?  A tree across our driveway?  Will our neighborhood look like a war zone?

We approach the city of Kennesaw, keenly observing any abnormality that might jump out at us.  So far, so good.  Our hearts become just a bit lighter.  Before we know it, the entrance to our neighborhood is in sight.  As we turn in, the sighs of relief become prayers of gratefulness.  No one, it seems, in our neck of the woods has suffered any damage from the storm.  Even the creek at the bottom of our development flows at its normal level, with no trace of storm debris on the road except the usual piles of fallen leaves.

As our car stops at the crest of our steep driveway, we can't see any violation of our roof by tree limbs.  Of course, debris is everywhere, but nothing out of the ordinary that could cause undue alarm for us.  Danny knows, too, because of an app on his phone, that our home never even lost electricity.  How miraculous is that?

We enter our home safely, our hearts are overflowing with thanksgiving.  Just the thought, at our age, of having to start all over again is enough to make the most stalwart of hearts grow faint.  It is a fall-on-your-knees-praise-the-Lord moment!

But as we watch dreadful events unfolding in other regions of the southeast, a deep sense of survivor guilt engulfs us.  Each new tragedy brings fresh tears and repurposed prayers.  We are hit particularly hard by the flooding in our beloved North Carolina mountains.  Place like Chimney Rock and Asheville are reduced to mud-slicked rubble.  The images on our television look like scenes out of a horror movie.

But this is no movie.  It is real life in real time with real people who have lost homes, businesses and, worst of all, their very lives.  As of today, there are still hundreds of thousands of people in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas without electricity, cell service and the basic essentials of clean water and food.  With so many roads washed away in the mountains, I see on the news that mules and horses are being used to bring in such supplies as can be carried to these remote areas.

I know there are hundreds of private organizations, churches and volunteers working round the clock to help in all the areas adversely affected.  But where is FEMA?  Why are they saying they don't have enough funds to last through this hurricane season?  As we say here in the South, and it is NOT a compliment, "Bless their hearts."

Please join me in praying fervently and continuously for the victims of this disaster.  The recovery will be long and arduous for so many.  Even if we can't afford to monetarily contribute, prayer is free.

And God, our one true Life Line, is listening.

Amen!

Prayers, Prayers and More Prayers ~ Part One

 

Pray without ceasing ~1 Thessalonians 5:17

The photo above is taken by Danny several years ago, and shows how heavily wooded our yard is.  In light of our environs, and the ton of rain we receive for two days straight, he decides the safe plan for us is to spend the night at a local hotel when we expect high winds from Helene to hit after midnight.  I find myself praying non-stop that God will have mercy on our home, our neighborhood, and all the folks in the path of the impending hurricane.

This is one of those situations where the only thing we can control are our actions.  Neither one of us wants to leave our home, but we feel we have no choice in that moment.  We end up packing and taking more than we would need for one night away in case something catastrophic does occur and we can't return to our house once the immediate threat has passed.

We stay at a Hilton Garden Inn, on the first floor, so that if they lose electricity, we won't have to worry about the elevator failing us.  We even take two LED lanterns with us as the hotel does NOT have a generator (I find that hard to believe, but that's what we are told).  It is already raining when we pull up under the sheltered entrance in the afternoon.  We have so much stuff with us, we have to get a luggage dolly in order to tote it all to our room.

I didn't snap any photos of the room itself, but it is a comfortable one to say the least.  Because of the rain, we choose to have dinner at the hotel.  It is delicious, much to our surprise, as Danny's marvelous cooking has truly spoiled us when it comes to eating out.

The predicted dangerous winds aren't expected to land here until after midnight when we will be sound asleep.  We watch some favorite news programs, play our usual rounds of backgammon, and listen to some country music as is our nightly routine.  Before turning in for the night, Danny wants to get a photo of the rain which is now coming down really hard and fast.

See the line of utility service vehicles?  They are staged and ready to go when it will be safe to do so while the crews catch some Z-z-z-z at the hotel.  What would we do without these hard-working, dedicated persons who are willing to help those in need the moment they get the call?

In spite of our concerns about our house's safety, we both sleep well that night.  Well, that is, until 7:00 a.m. when the fire alarm blares with ear-splitting decibels.  Talk about a rude awakening!!!  It doesn't last for long, convincing us that it must have been a false warning, but the damage is done.  When we finally go to breakfast, Danny stops at the front desk in the lobby to find out what actually happened.  Loud and unexpected sounds still upset him no end after all he has gone through since January of this year.

Turns out, someone burned their toast in the breakfast area!  What???  That set off a fire alarm?  To add insult to injury, our breakfast leaves much to be desired; we pay for that up front when we first check into the hotel.  Danny is neither a morning person nor one who keeps his strong opinions to himself.  Without being mean in any way, just firm, he lets the manager of the hotel know about his continuing battle with medical PTSD, that the fire alarm rattled his last nerve, and gave some cooking advice that he wants conveyed to the so-called breakfast chef.

In the spirit of true hospitality, and to our utter amazement, the hotel  manager comps our entire night's stay!  We weren't expecting such a gracious and generous gesture, nor did Danny ask for any of it.  This is such a huge blessing for us, and we thank God for his provision through these kind and courteous hosts.  We realize, too, once Danny checks the weather, that there is no need to stay another night since the wind and rain have greatly abated.  We still don't know what we'll find when we get home as our nearest neighbor is out of town, but we never stop praying.

To be continued . . .

Almost

 

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." ~Acts 26:28

Pastor Jared has been expounding upon the Book of Acts in his summer sermon series.  As someone who has read the Bible through multiple times, I find his lessons to be so insightful, edifying, and never, ever boring.  He truly has an excellent gift for preaching and teaching without pretense.

In Acts 26, we meet King Agrippa.  His grandfather is none other than Herod the Great, or the not-so-great in the eyes of the Jewish people living under his rule.  Herod, if you recall, is the tyrant who ordered all male children under the age of two, living in and around Bethlehem, to be slaughtered.  He couldn't take a chance that the wise men's announcement of a new king of the Jews was born.  After all, that was his and his family's exclusive role!

It is Herod the Great's son who approves of Jesus' crucifixion sentence.  Agrippa knows all of his family's history.  And Paul's preaching of the Way is no secret to him either.  Being raised in the Jewish traditions, Herod and his progeny are well versed in the Law and the Prophets, but never to the point that their own power and influence could be compromised.

Paul's words on this particular day seem to have moved Agrippa closer toward Christ than in any previous time.  But here's the catch:  Almost.

We use that seemingly innocuous word a lot in our daily conversations, don't we?  Our team almost won the game.  I almost got that promotion.  She almost made straight A's on her report card.

When we hear or say the word in these instances, we leave open the door to the possibilities of doing better the next time around.  You know the old adage:  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

But as Pastor Jared points out, there is no almost when it comes to committing our lives to Jesus.  We're either all in, or all out.  There is no almost saved, almost grace, almost belief.  When we cling to worldly accolades - power, prestige, fame - how can we be fully surrendered to God and His will for our lives?

We can't.

There are many Agrippas in our society today.  Those whom Jesus calls to be His servants who say, "Not yet."  Or, "Not now."  Or even, saddest of all, "Never!"

May we all pray for these lost souls, knowing that almost will never satisfy the Almighty.

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." ~Revelation 3:15-16

Rescue Me!

 

He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from my foes, who were too strong for me. ~Psalm 18:17

If you enjoy playing backgammon, as my husband, Danny, and I do every evening we can, this is not a formation you wish to face under any circumstances.  In a few fortuitous rolls of the dice, Danny's brown checkers have trapped my two white ones in what seems like an impossible impasse as there is, in this moment, no way out of the trap he and his dice have cleverly set.  How can two dice, with the top number of six, even have a glimmer of a hope in rescuing my unfortunate soldiers out of the mess they find themselves in?

These checkers, being side by side, are immune from further attacks at this juncture, but so are Danny's.  That is poor comfort when I have to continue to roll the dice and hope that I will have time to build a foreboding block on my home turf before Danny's team closes in.  That doesn't include rolling high numbers at this point.  For example, if I roll a six, and none of my free checkers can move a six, it's as good as losing my turn.  My block could end up looking like this -

See the stragglers?  They become fair game for Danny if, when I finally break free and can possibly hit one of his now unprotected soldiers, he has to reenter the game in my home field.  Rats!  But if I'm surrounded by my formidable foes for too long, I risk losing two games instead of one by leaving my checkers in the outfield without being able to take one off.  That's called a gammon.  If Danny gets all his checkers off of his homefield and I still have one remaining in his, that's a backgammon, hence the name of the game.

Am I finally able to free my soldiers from this mess?  Yes, but not without the onus of being gammoned.  If you think I'm happy about that, just ask Danny.  LOL!  He sure puts up with a lot of competitive spirit from me.

The more we play backgammon, the more I see the parallels to living life fully and with faith that God will rescue us when we are in danger, or are overwhelmed by the challenges we face.  If we don't take risks, we won't succeed.  If we give up hope, all is lost.  If we don't keep trying, we'll never know what might have been.

If God is with us, He will make our ways straight.  We can take risks, we can persevere, and we can have hope because His power and grace will prevail.  Some days, we may be able to take leaps and bounds.  Other days, we will only manage one step forward and two steps back.  But our loving Father knows our hearts, our goals, our dreams.

No foe can ever defeat us when the Lord stands tall and strong within us.

Amen!

Never Forget

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:17

We will remember

Nothing can erase

Images seared in memories

Usurping innocence

Upending peace in nation

Under God, indivisible

We stood as one

Against a common foe

We will remember 

Twenty-three years ago

Where we were

Who was with us

What we did

How we cried and mourned 

The fallen heroes

Then, and in successive wars

We learned the cost

Fragile freedoms sway

In winds of change

Will we remember?

Yes!

Never forget.

Amen

Do you remember?  Please share your feelings in the comments below.

For the Better

 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The older I get, the more I crave routine in my day.  Are you the same way?  But as we age, there are so many instances where interruptions become the norm instead of the exception.

My husband, Danny, and I used to take on separate duties in managing our household.  Since he is the chef and menu planner each week, he would take any required jaunts to our favorite grocery stores, always in search of the best bargains and healthiest foods he could find.  I would stay back at the house, content with doing the usual housework and reading/writing as much as possible.  If I have an appointment scheduled with the dentist or a doctor for a regular checkup, I simply take off in my car without Danny have to accompany me, and vice versa.

Those days, since the end of January, are behind us for the foreseeable future.  Danny's pacemaker surgery (you can read the details HERE) changes everything.  For both of us.  Whenever we have appointments or need to go shopping, we have to go together.  Although there have been many notable improvements in Danny's mental and emotional state over the months, shaking off the effects of medical, or any other type, of PTSD takes patience, outside counseling and the will to return to some state of normalcy in life.

And prayer.  Lots and lots of prayer.

Laughter doesn't hurt either.  We often joke about the situation, admitting that as much time as we have to be in close proximity, at least we like each other's company.  That's a good thing to be sure!  Yes, we've both had to make adjustments that sometimes feel restrictive in the moment, but that is simply a reality of marriage in a nutshell.  We give because we love, we love because we give.

Honestly, it's not easy to admit that neither one of us can do activities we once did without a second thought, like traveling long distances from home or volunteering for projects in our church or community that once would have allured us individually.  But this seems, upon reflection, an insignificant price to pay to feel safe and secure in our daily lives.

I can personally attest to Solomon's wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10:  Two are better than one.  May God grant us His grace and mercy to traverse this journey together.  One day at a time.  All for the better.

Amen!

And Now for Something Completely Different . . .

 

See, I am doing a new thing! ~Isaiah 43:19a

Recently, I'm asked by my publisher, if I would be willing to do both a written and podcast interview about my novels.  Of course, you can surmise that I enthusiastically embraced both!

My husband, Danny, wastes no time posting both of these to the "News and Events" category at my author's website.  You can access both HERE.

You should be able to read my written answers in a matter of minutes; these will give you somewhat of a preview to what is covered in the audio portion.  The podcast, though, is just a hair under 25 minutes, so if you decide to listen, give yourself at least that time frame.  Yes, you should be able to pause the conversation, too, just in case.

This is certainly a completely different blog for me to post, but I love that my readers here, old and new, can get to know me on a deeper, more personal level.  And since I'm not on any social media sites, I would sincerely appreciate any of you who are, and like the interviews enough to share on your various accounts.  

Thanks for reading and listening!

Amen!

Choose Wisely

 

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"  "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." ~Luke 19:39-40

Pictured above is a shadow box I make as a gift for Danny.  It is fashioned from water smoothed stones that I collect from the shallows of the vigorously flowing West Prong Little Pigeon River near Chimney Tops in the Great Smokies of North Carolina.  It usually hangs in our bedroom above a traditional Catholic crucifix which Danny inherited from his father's side of the family. (It's history deserves a future blog post of its own.)

But because of the reflectivity of the Plexiglass, Danny positions it on our mantelpiece in order to present an accurate image.  Considering the background of our stone fireplace with its Celtic cross on the mantle, it certainly takes on the air of eternal solidity and endurance that our Lord embodies.

The Old Testament is replete with references to God being our rock and our refuge.  I'll bet most of you who visit this blog can recite verses right of the top of your head!  And in the New Testament, Mark 12:10, Jesus references Psalm 118:22: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" as to His status as the Son of God.  He has come to form the one true foundation, the solid rock, who takes away our sins, then, now and always for those who believe in Him.

As fantastical as it might have sounded to the Pharisees that stones could or would cry out audibly to Jesus, we now know, as the iconic Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story."  All God's creation acknowledges His glory and presence in whatever essence He has given them.  And we know that what is impossible for man is possible with God (Matthew 19:26).  So why then, at Jesus' command, couldn't the rocks and stones cry out to Him in worship and praise?

Do you recall that old children's song contrasting the wise man and the foolish one?  I learned it, along with the hand motions, in one of the few forays to church in Sunday school.  I then dutifully teach it to my little brother.  When we travel north that summer to visit with our extended family (I am six and Bill is three), I remember performing the song for our great-grandmother who was a devout Christian.  The joyful tears filling her eyes as we sang revealed her constant hope and faith in Jesus, her eternal Savior.  Great-grandma had definitely built her entire life upon the living rock, our sure salvation.

She chose wisely.

Have you?

Amen!

For those of you not acquainted with this particular song, here is a link you can access.  Honestly, I don't recall learning the last part of this where it mentions prayers and blessings, but now it seems to be the most revealing part of the message.  Great-grandma didn't need that.  She already knew.

A House Divided

 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ~Mark 3:25

Can we see?  Can we ask?

Does vision clearly show?

Are questions even answered?

Or, do we hear a 'no?'

A country in a quandary

As these elections loom

Both sides tell the future

Choice of hope or gloom

Records speak, loud and strong

Each one will compete

One who rides the coattails

Of political elites

The other, facing bullets

Divisive lies incite

Who didn't need the power

But for this nation, fights

Who will win our nation torn

By differences and strife?

Only Jesus unifies

He holds eternal life.

Amen!