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!

Simply an Angel

 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ~Hebrews 13:2

Forty-one years ago, when I discover I'm pregnant with my first child, neither my then husband nor I have jobs with medical insurance.  That's quite the pickle to find oneself in, isn't it?  Fortunately, we are informed that there is pre and post natal care program run by Emory University's Medical School for couples who find themselves in that situation.  The one flat (and affordable) fee we pay covers all check-ups, delivery and ensuing hospital accommodations if required.  That's an offer we can't refuse!

Of course, this program does have its drawbacks.  Each time I go for visit, I can never be sure who my resident/intern doctor will be.  I do see a few more than once, but I can tell there's a rotation happening here.  To a person, though, each professional I see is capable, caring and attentive.  There are several whom I hope I'll have in the delivery room when that time comes.

When I finally do go into labor, I know I'm possibly two to three weeks late.  Seemingly, this never waved a red flag to any of the docs.  Even if I've been warned, I could never have imagined how excruciating the pain is; it's so intense, I feel I'm blacking out between contractions.  Nurses keep coming by to check on my 'progress.'  I'm not making any.  My birth canal refuses to dilate farther than four centimeters.  I can't remember if I was crying.  All my energy is absorbed by the unrelenting agony of labor.

I can hear several voices of the resident doctors debating what they should do; some sound downright argumentative.  With no warning, I hear a woman's voice, authoritative and forceful, resounding in the room.  I'm just able to glance in her direction, and realize in that fateful moment that she is one doctor I've never laid eyes on.

"We have fifteen minutes to get this baby out!"  she barks at the others.  "Move it!  Now!!!"

And move it, they do!  Before I can take two breaths, the anesthetist says, "Are you allergic to anything?"  I can barely nod a 'no' when he jabs me with an epidural in my spine.  Thankfully, it works within the minute, and the curtain is drawn so I can't see the actual procedure.  No more searing pain, just welcomed numbness flooding my lower extremities.  Only pressure on my abdomen as they snatch my distressed baby from the brink of his death.

And mine.

I remain in the hospital for five days, not uncommon at that time for C-section patients.  Every resident who visits me during that stay is one I've seen before.  With one exception.

The 'doctor' who orchestrates the successful delivery.  Surely, I think, she should be the first in that rotation, shouldn't she?  I so want to thank her for everything she knew to do, just in the nick of time.  No other doctor refers to her or discusses my ordeal.  Even though I'm not a believer at this point in my life, I'm convicted in my heart that she must have been an angel.  This divine messenger sent from God out of the depths of His mercy and grace, propels me to actively seek Him.

I've been on that glorious journey ever since.

And if I needed any more convincing?  Her signature on the birth certificate is like a child's, who has proudly learned how to write her name in cursive.  Certainly, not like a hand corrupted by years of taking copious notes in medical school.

A simple name.  A simple script.

Simply, an angel.

Amen!

The Race We're Meant to Win

 

Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ~Galatians 6:7-8

I have always been a fan of the summer Olympic games.  I especially look forward to the gymnastics competitions where the human body defies gravity with physicality and grace, and the swimming meets, when bodies conquer waters' resistance by sheer strength and will.

Behind every elite athlete chose to represent his or her country are countless hours of practice, determination, sacrifice, and downright grit.  We all should celebrate the caliber it takes to be such a person in whom we can witness earthly glory and accomplishments, but as Christians, we should rejoice in each aspect of their talents as generous gifts from God, gifts He inspires within them.

I'm confident that I'm not alone in saying this:  After the decadent and heinous debauchery unabashedly displayed during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics, I will not be watching the games this time around.  Yes, I'm sure I'll 'catch' some winning performances on the news, but that will be after the fact.  I refuse to support the games in real time, nor will I endorse any advertisers who hawk their products on the stations affiliated with the official broadcasts.

Let the unbelievers claim I'm a homophobic, intolerant, better-than-thou hypocrite all they want.  I know that it's not true of me, and God knows it, too.  The Lord gave me my life that I might live it fully for Him, and give thanks daily for all the blessings He has lovingly bestowed on me and will continue to do so.  Before knowing Jesus and His saving grace, I was just like them; unaware of the depths of depravity that the father of lies has perpetrated throughout this fallen world for generations, and continues to do so to this very moment in time. We can take this moment, though, as an opportunity to ask ourselves some deep and potentially life-changing questions.

• Why is it deemed okay by the world to brazenly deride Christians?
• Why is there an horrific rise in anti-Semitism in our nation and in others?
• Are other religions persecuted in the same shameful fashion in the public eye?
• Who benefits from clumping people into groups and pitting them against one another?

No, friends, you don't have to answer these questions in the comments, but I do hope you will ponder them intently, going to God in humble prayer if the answers don't readily come.  He will faithfully guide you into all goodness, and give you strength for any battle, inward or outward, you may face.

In the Olympics, there are winners and losers.  But as Christians, may we vow to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b)  Marked out for us by none other than Almighty God.

That is the race we are meant to win.

Amen!

As The Deer

 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? ~Psalm 42:1-2

My husband, Danny, is an awesome photographer.  So, where did he travel to get these fabulous photos of wild deer featured in this post?  No further than our own backyard!  

Even though we live in what is considered a suburban neighborhood here in Kennesaw, Georgia, we are surrounded by woods that stretch from ours to other subdivisions surrounding us.  It still amazes me that deer can survive and actually thrive in this environment of expansion and development demanded by the exponential growth of our nearby Kennesaw State University.

Here are a selected number of deer photos from previous years, including that majestic buck above; the last four are from this current season.

We endure an uncharacteristically hot and dry June here.  Fortunately, the deer have a running creek at the bottom of the hill and a large lake in an adjacent neighborhood where they can quench their thirst during the worst heat of the summer.  And recently, God has blessed us with some much-needed rain, welcomed and embraced by all the plants and animals living in our vicinity.

God provides for all His beloved creation, and yes, that includes us.  All of us!  When we find our souls panting and parched by the things of the world, longing for His Living Water, all we need to do is grab our Bibles and drink deeply from the endless spring that bubbles up and overflows in His life-giving Word.

And when we do, God will meet us there.

Amen!

The Greatest Story Ever Told

 

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12

I can't recall a time in my life when I didn't love words.  All those stories read aloud by my mom at bedtime; classic fairy tales, the lilting cadences of Mother Goose rhymes, and silly stories about Midgie, the mischievous elephant, my dad would make up on the fly for my brother and me.  Certainly, their own love of books and reading had a profound affect on this developmental aspect of both my brain and my heart.

By the time I was ready for first grade (we did not have public kindergarten at the time - yes, I'm old!), I was already reading way above grade level.  I could depend upon words to transport me in time and space to exotic lands and imaginary realms like nothing else could.  A trip to the library for me was like traveling to a coveted amusement park with no end of rides and excitement. 

Writing is the natural fallout for a word lover like me.  Ever since my fourth-grade teacher showed us a picture from a magazine (remember those?) which featured children happily fleeing the school house to embrace a carefree summer, and challenged us to write a short story about how the characters were feeling, I've been hooked!

So, what does any of this have to do with these Jumble puzzle books featured above?  While some people enjoy figuring out giant jig-saw puzzles to stimulate their minds, I prefer unscrambling words to help keep my cognition up to speed.  This not only relaxes me, but also gives me an advantage (I hope) in keeping the dementia wolves at bay as aging often invites these unwanted guests into our latter years, causing chaos and confusion.

This world in which we live is already chaotic and confusing enough, isn't it?  No need to add insult to injury!  When all seems to be spinning out of control, we can lean into our loving God and His eternal Word, as alive and active today as it always has been and ever will be.  We don't need to panic nor fear.  We know our Father is the One at the helm of our lives, and only He will judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.

And when I find myself at my wit's end as I attempt to unscramble a Jumble word, I know I can turn to the answer key for direction.  In our Christian walk, God and His Word are the keys to all the answers we will ever need to live an abundant life, the life Jesus promised, to His honor and glory.

May we all fall in love with God's Word, the greatest story ever told.

Amen!

Our Vision of Hope

 

We don't yet see things clearly.  We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.  But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!  We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! ~1 Corinthians 13:12 (MSG)

Have you ever experienced fogged windows where you live?  Here in Georgia, we don't just entertain hot summer temperatures, but our humidity can also increase exponentially, making outdoor events unpleasant and downright impossible for many of us to enjoy.  I know my Florida friends can identify with that!

This fog phenomena occurs when the outside glass of a window matches or goes below the dew point temperature of the air.  As a result, the air cannot hold any more water in gas form; it must turn into liquid.  (Thank you, Danny, for explaining this in terms even I can understand!)

So yes, it is July in Kennesaw, and with the blessing of recent rain, we've awakened to misty window panes for two mornings in a row.  Will it happen again tomorrow?  Only if the air continues to be humid, which could most likely be the case.

Clouded windows obscure our usually clear view of the outdoors.  It reminds me of the steam which used to form on a bathroom mirror from a hot shower when the bather forgot to run the exhaust fan.  You certainly cannot see your own reflection unless the moisture is wiped off the glass and allowed time to dry.

In this life, as the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:12, we cannot possibly see the entirety of our existence the way that God can and does.  Nothing can obstruct His always clear vision!  But even through the mist, we can know that God is leading us forward, and closer to Him, with every faltering step we take by faith.  We can rest assured that when we leave this darkened world, the clouds will lift, and we will see the Son shining brightly forever and ever.

May we resolve to fully live each precious day God gives us here on earth, and show others, by our actions in love, how He will help them see clearly one day, too.

He is our vision of hope!

Amen!

Celebrating Freedom

 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. ~Galatians 5:1

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend out sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. ~Ronald Reagan

Happy Independence Day, America!  It's time for parades, picnics, patriotic music, pageantry, and masterful firework displays all over this great nation of ours.  As you plan your activities for this momentous holiday, I hope and pray that you will make special time to celebrate the fact that we were formed as one nation under God by visionary Founding Fathers immersed in the teachings of our deep and lasting Judeo-Christian values.

And unless we teach our children and grandchildren why our Constitution and Declaration of Independence formed a system of government unlike anything this tired, weary world had ever known, how will they be equipped and eager to preserve it for posterity?

I am so heartened by the stance recently taken by Oklahoma's state legislature.  It passed a law which requires all public schools to display the Ten Commandments, and to equip classrooms with copies of the Bible.  A curriculum is being developed for grades 5 - 12 to instruct them about how both have influenced the rule of law in our judicial system and in our country's exceptional precepts that declare our freedoms are given us by God alone.  I'm not so naive as to think there won't be push-back from entrenched secular forces in our government, and from those who despise Western civilization in general, but let us, as Christians, not allow those forces to poison the minds of our children with disingenuous lies.

I do believe, with all my heart, that our loving Father is giving us another chance as a country to surrender to His will and be renewed by His Holy Spirit; the same Spirit who, despite all unimaginable odds, inspired this fledgling nation to overthrow the burdensome yoke of the British Empire that we might live free.

As former President Reagan so succinctly expressed, "Freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction."  May God grant us the grace and wisdom to understand and appreciate, to the very depths of our beings, how generously He has blessed us.

And with God's help, let us resolve to maintain His blessing for generation to come.

Amen!

A Win-Win

 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize. ~1 Corinthians 9:24

Don't forget to enjoy the game. ~Quote from G. H. W. Bush as recalled by his granddaughter, Jenna Bush Hagar.

Danny and I still love playing backgammon every evening while we listen to mostly country or Christian music.  Before all his health issues arise in January, we would keep score on our kitchen whiteboard for an entire week so we could assess that week's winner.  That practice, in and of itself, isn't a bad thing.  We are both extremely competitive players, but while Danny is able to lose gracefully, I find myself too obsessed with winning to simply embrace the game in the moment.

I'm not proud of this aspect of my personality.  To win, no matter what, obstructs the purpose of the game, period.  Just relax and enjoy it!

After all we've endured these last months, I realize that truth more than ever.  Life is not a sprint, but a marathon.  And living well leaves no room for petty tantrums or poor sportsmanship.  Honestly, who wants to play with a sore loser?  I wouldn't want to, yet Danny doesn't give up on me.  He has taught me so much about both patience and perseverance in this challenging game he's so passionate about.

We no longer keep score on the board to remind, usually me, of my pathetic losing streaks.  Now don't get me wrong; I still relish a win here and there, and Danny notices how much better I've become in dealing with the plays the dice give me, but I no longer angst about besting him in any contest.  I'm just so thankful to have him here to play the game at all!

Isn't it amazing how realities can alter, for the better, our perspectives on this game called life?

Yes, if we are honest with ourselves, we all want to be winners, but there are no losers when we accept Jesus' training of us for the long haul.  Knowing He is beside us and before us, trusting in His strength alone, we can run a steady race until we all receive that ultimate crown of victory in God's eternal kingdom.

So, let's resolve to run that race He's set before us, knowing Jesus is the best prize of all, and enjoy the game of abundant life He's given to us along the way.

That's a win-win in my book!

Amen!

How Could We Ask for Anything More?

 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ~Psalm 103:11-12

Daughter, Sarah, her husband, John, their three girls, plus dog, Finn, and their two kitty rescues, Riley and Rocky, move successfully to their new home in North Carolina around the first of June.  The photo above is one Sarah takes from their new bedroom window as the sun begins to peek over the horizon to greet a new day.  Oh, what a great joy to awake to such a splendid view!

God is blessing all of them so richly in every way.  The reason for the move is John's promotion in the company he has been working with for many years.  Sarah is able to secure a job, too, with the grocery store chain that employed her previously, and starts work almost before she can catch her breath.  The girls are excited to live in a neighborhood where they can enjoy a big backyard, something they've never had before, and sidewalks throughout the development.  As the summer progresses, Danny and I are confident that they will all make friends in their new place, and be set for school when it resumes in August.

While this state park they explore recently is not adjacent to their neighborhood, it is only a three-mile drive away.  Sarah and John take the girls there one evening to explore the grounds.  Here are some gorgeous photos Sarah takes while they are there.

Just indulge yourself in this dramatic sunset!

From the beauty of the sunrise to its setting, I'm reminded that God has created all the earth and the heavens to His honor and glory.  We see His majesty and splendor, and we cannot help but be awed by His mighty works and be humbled by His wonders all around us.

Best of all, for us who revere His precious Son, Jesus, our heavenly Father promises to remove all our sins, as far as the east is from the west.

How could we ask for anything more?

Amen!