A "Beary" Good Cause

 

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. ~Matthew 18:5

Danny's mother, Mimi, loved to collect stuffed bears.  When she passes away in 2019, it falls to Danny to pack up her home and prepare it for sale.  He decides to store her favorite items and treasured keepsakes in secure Rubbermaid bins at our home, in the garage to be specific, hoping they might be of use and value to someone else down the road.

I was not aware that Mimi's bear collection was saved at the time.  She lived out her last days here with us, and I simply forgot that she had the bears at her home.  I'm so glad I didn't recall nor ask Danny about them, as their fate may have been to be given as presents to our three granddaughters instead of becoming a "beary" good cause right here in our own community.

Danny is cruising through Facebook when he comes across this advertisement.

For my non-English speaking readers, the text says, "Bears for Bravery - Teddy Bear and Stuffed Animal Drive - Supporting children in the Emergency Room and Trauma Bay at Kennestone Hospital - Oct. 1st - Nov. 1st - Collecting Donations Now!"

Immediately, Mimi's quaint, pristine bears come to Danny's mind, sweet bears that can fill a frightened and hurting child's heart with light, hope and love just when he or she needs it most.  Our Kennesaw Police Department is the location to drop them off so they can begin their noble mission of health and healing.  We do just that yesterday, and the look of delight on the officer's face is priceless.  What joy it gives us to have so many stuffed bears to donate!

And we can almost see Mimi smiling from Heaven, knowing her cherished bears are bringing courage and comfort to the very children who need them most.

Amen!

Every Purpose Under Heaven

 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

This is our thermostat on Saturday morning.  Do you see the outdoor temperature?  Yes!  Fall is not only here on the calendar, but in the air, too.  Now, I know some of you who live farther north are accustomed to these cooler temps in September, but in Georgia, it's an entirely different story.  These morning lows are a much more common occurrence in October and November.

Does this mean we won't experience days when it feels like summer has made a comeback?  Of course not.  But when I look at the weather forecast 10 days out, every morning shows low temperatures in the 50s and 60s; the afternoons will see highs in the mild 70s and doable 80s.  Since Danny and I are both cool weather people, this is ideal for us.

Danny takes full advantage of these moderating temps to clean both of our decks, one on Friday and the other today.

Can you tell that the back deck is still wet?  You can also see that the leaves are beginning to fall; these are dull, sere and brown as we've been deprived of decent rain totals through the summer months.  Quite the unusual condition in our neck of the woods.

Other perks I enjoy in Autumn are wearing long-sleeve shirts and sweaters.  I much prefer to bundle up against the cold than endure the sweltering heat.  Cooler weather also encourages both of us to spend more time outdoors taking walks or enjoying time sitting on the decks, breathing in fresh air for a change, and observing the sun's shifting patchwork of light as it dances through the trees.

These last four months of our calendar year always awaken in me a deep nostalgia for days gone by.  So many sentiments and traditions packed into the year's last hurrah - Fall's arrival, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas - all with their own unique scents, flavors and celebrations unrivaled by any other time of the year.  Memories often bubble up unbidden as we prepare for each holiday to unfold.  Perhaps, these "ber" months should be named the Remember months.

That being said, I don't want to simply be content to lose myself in the memories, but intentionally make new ones going forward, carrying on the priceless traditions that we have treasured for years, leaving a bright legacy and future for our children and grandchildren.

Indeed, there is a season, a time and a purpose for every activity we undertake on God's beautiful earth.  May we savor each moment and thank Him for every blessing He sends our way.

Amen!

With You on His Mind

 

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." ~Exodus 20:8

Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." ~Mark 2:27

I have a question for all of you.  Are you someone who is constantly on the go, or someone who intentionally moves through life at a relaxed, measured pace?  Honestly, now that I'm retired, I can say the latter goal is easier for me to pursue with regularity.  I couldn't say that when I was a working, single mom. During those times, I could barely take a moment to breathe let alone spend time in quiet reflection.  I was the epitome of a driven and determined overachiever who could balance a job, a budget and a family life with the best of them.

At least, that's what I thought at the time.

Pastor Jared's sermon this Sunday focuses on the concept of Sabbath rest and why it's crucial for us to deliberately put aside time each week to spend with God in prayer, reflection and renewal.  In a culture that worships the twin golden calves - accomplishment and accumulation - this time of rest may seem an anathema, the enemy of all we're created to be and become as a productive member of society.

But all this meaningless, endless, frenetic activity produces in the end is damage to our mental and physical health and well-being.  God includes observing the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments because it is designed for our own good.  After all, if the God of the Universe had to rest after He created our world, and we are made in His image, shouldn't it follow that we require that same type of rest?

Jared explains, too, that the Hebrew word for Sabbath - Shabbat - literally means to stop.  But not simply are we to stop, because the word also infers that we are to delight in the stopping itself.  Wow!  What a relief to know that it's not only okay to run from the rat race and leave the car pool lanes behind, but also to realize that our loving Father expects us to do just that!

Maybe you have a job that requires you to work on Sundays.  That's alright.  You can observe your Sabbath when time allows you to.  There's no right way or right day to rest in the Lord.  And there isn't a magic formula or one-size-fits-all plan one has to follow.

Jared will be the first to tell you that even, and especially, as a pastor, he struggles with having that extended time to simply be still and know that God is sustaining His children with every breath we take.

So, here's the challenge:  Will you take some time this week to contemplate the concept of the Sabbath and consider the ways that observing it can transform your life for the better?  Or, if you already have a Sabbath routine, please share it with us in the comments.

And remember, when God created the Sabbath, He already had you on His mind.

Amen!

Missing My Friends!

 

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

Danny and I spend the bulk of last Friday afternoon figuring out and implementing Feedly on my laptop.  Why?  Most of you here on Blogger know that our reading list simply up and quit working without warning earlier in the week.  Fortunately, this hasn't affected my blogging friends who use Wordpress, but without being able to see so many dear friends on Blogger, I am truly feeling your absence and the comfort your words always give me.

So far, posting blogs and answering comments have not posed a problem (knock on wood).  The issue is with those Blogger members who don't regularly comment on my weekly blog.  If you're suddenly NOT receiving comments on your posts from me, it's because I don't have a photographic memory and can't recall your websites.  You can help me, though, by emailing your web address to me at marthaorlando@gmail.com, or simply by leaving a comment here that contains your name as it appears on the address.  Either way, that should work.

I'm usually pretty quick in responding to comments, but we have an unusually busy week ahead, so I could fall behind just a bit.  I hope and pray that I'll hear from each and every one of you sometime during this week or next.  Until then, know that I miss you all greatly and I can't wait to reconnect with you on my Feedly account!

Amen!

Dear Friends,

I'm breaking with my usual format here because I need to let all of you know that my Blogger Reading List isn't updating.  This means, I cannot see nor comment on your latest blogs.  Oh, how I miss y'all!!!

I do hope that Blogger will come to its senses soon so I can be back in touch with all of you.  In the meantime, I so appreciate your understanding and patience.  If you do leave me a comment here, I can click on it to see your latest posts; that would be a marvelous help!

Love and blessings to all!

 

Let Us Do Good

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ~Genesis 50:20

While we have time, let us do good. ~St. Francis of Assissi

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the horror that was 9/11.  Like so many of you, my memories of that tragic day are as crystal clear as if the event occurred only days ago.  It is a moment in time that forever changed our country and the world in ways we could never have imagined, and in its wake, propelled us into wars against terrorists who still see America and Western civilization as the enemies to this day.

The Siller family lost their youngest sibling, Stephen, on that fateful day.  He was a dedicated husband, father and firefighter in New York City at the time.  Stephen had just completed the night shift and was preparing to return home when the first plane struck.  Instead of retreating, he ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, intent upon saving as many lives as he possibly could.

Tragically, like thousands of others, his own life was taken from him that day.

The Sillers, like so many others, were devastated by this unimaginable  loss, not just for themselves, but for the countless thousands adversely affected.  Stephen's brother, Frank, had a vision to create something worthy that would honor all those who perished on 9/11 and keep the memory of his little brother, and the earth-shattering event, alive for all who cannot afford to forget.

Let Us Do Good tells how the Tunnel to Towers Foundation came to be as a result of Stephen's sacrifice.  For those of you unfamiliar with T2T, it is a charitable organization that pays off the mortgages of families with small children whose husband or wife perishes in the line of duty.  Started initially to help first responders, their mission has expanded to include Gold Star families and building handicap-accessible, mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans, police and firefighters.  In recent years, the foundation has acquired and refurbished hotels in various cities around the country to get homeless veterans off the street and give each one the help, healing, counseling, and community to help them reenter society.

Frank says his family owes their unswerving dedication to duty and service to the way his parents, Mae and George, raised each of the seven children.  It makes perfect sense, then, that out of the ashes of Stephen's death a phoenix of hope would arise in his memory, spreading genuine love and comfort to those who have lost loved ones who have so bravely served this country.

I highly recommend Frank's book, especially as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching.  You can order your copy from Amazon HERE.

And if you would like to join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a monthly contributor, I hope you will consider doing so.  Danny and I each give the suggested $11 per month.  It isn't an imposing amount for most families, and it's this continued participation by millions of us that will support those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms long into the future.

Let us do good while we can.

Amen!

The Simple Truth

 

"Please test your servants for ten days:  Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.  Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." ~Daniel 1:12-13

Danny and I subscribe to the MAHA movement long before HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., introduces this concept to the country, raising a new national awareness regarding our health.  We've always known that fresh is best and have genuinely tried to put our beliefs into practice based on the knowledge we glean over time.

One influencer who Danny finds to be reliable is Bobby Parrish on YouTube.  He is full of current healthy bargains you can find at places like Costco, Aldi and even Target.  Because of Bobby, we not longer purchase products containing sunflower or canola oils or those listing any ingredients we can't pronounce.  And when something claims to have natural flavoring, buyer beware!  At the moment, the FDA does not strictly regulate this aspect of the food industry, but we're hoping they will begin to clamp down on this ugly loophole during this administration.

You can rightly assume at this juncture in the post, that we no longer buy any item, especially fruits and vegetables, unless they are organically grown.  Yes, they can be more expensive, but how does one put a price on overall health?  Honestly, I'd rather eat less and eat clean than eat more because the product costs less.

Lately, Danny's pursuit of healthy products extends beyond food to include the daily soaps we wash with and even the lip balm I apply multiple times a day.  Burt's Bees has always been my go-to brand.  Not anymore!  Why?  Danny discovers that the brand is now owned by the  Clorox Company who keeps Burt's image, but drastically changes the formula to cost less for them, yet the same, or more, for us.

Yuck!  Really???  Instead, I now use, thanks to Danny's intrepid research, Tallow Lip Balm made by a company called Texas Tallow.  It has six simple ingredients:  Beef Tallow; Organic Coconut Oil; Natural Beeswax; Vitamin E Oil, and Organic Shea Butter.  What a world of difference that makes!

And as I examine the tube more closely, I make and unexpected and delightful discovery.

Do you see what I see?  Yes!  It's the fish!  The universal sign for Christianity.  This tiny logo reveals what at the heart of this manufacturer, all it stands for, all it promotes, all it produces.  Signs like these make my heart rejoice and appreciate all the more the people whose bottom line isn't profit, although I'm sure they will be profitable as the Lord blesses their endeavors.

So how did things turn out for Daniel and his companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they chose to eat simple foods over the rich diet offer to them?  Daniel 1:15 says:  At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food."

And that's the simple truth we would all do well to live by.

Amen!

Running the Race

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-2

How many of you watched the Freedom 250 Grand Prix held in Washington, D. C., this past Sunday?  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of racing in general, but the excitement I feel for this one being held on a special course in honor of America's 250th birthday, is unmatched.  Anything that celebrates our country in such a patriotic way floats my boat!

Oh, how I love the pageantry and symbols that represent our great nation!  From the flyovers to an eagle soaring, from military bands to the Star-Spangled Banner, from President Trump waving the green flag to begin the race, to Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, waving the one at the finish line, I am transfixed from the get-go.  Yes, once the race begins, I mute the sound because watching the television with its constant display of stats is more than enough information for me to understand what's going on.

I did enjoy seeing our nation's capital city as the cars whizzed by landmarks while navigating the twists and turns of the streets.  The drivers cannot be distracted by such sights for a second if they hold out any hope of completing the race in one piece.  Yes, there are a few collisions, but thankfully, no injuries occurred either to the drivers or the thousands of people lining the course.

The concentration and physical strength necessary to handle a race car is phenomenal.  I'm in awe of all the young men who participate.  And the winner?

Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida!  How fitting that this all-American race honoring our 250th birthday is clenched by one of her native sons!

In our lives, we all have races that are marked out for us.  Will our journeys be hindered by distractions?  Stymied by sins?  Or will we fix our eyes steadfastly on Jesus, the only One who can keep us on pace and on the right path.  He is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

There is no other.

Amen!

Simmering Summer

 

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is the shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. ~Psalm 121:5-6

Summer is not a season that Danny and I ever truly embrace.  While I understand that many of you adore the summer months and mourn when they are passed, I'd venture to say that the majority of you live far north of our Georgia locale and ideally, close to the seashore where ocean breezes radically modify brutally hot temperatures.  I do recall loving those weeks in summers long ago when we would visit relatives in Massachusetts who lived along the coast.  The weather, it seemed, was perfect!

Beginning last Friday, we fall under the wickedly warm influence of a heat dome.  Temperatures are predicted to soar to the nineties every day for at least a week.  Add to this no significant precipitation during this time, and that's a signal for us to hunker down in our air-conditioned safe space, venturing abroad only to attend church or run errands that cannot be postponed.

Danny, in particular, is extremely sensitive to high temperatures.  He thinks it may have something to do with all the heart medication he has to take on a daily basis.  But whatever the cause, simply moving across a scorching parking lot to access a grocery store isn't an option for him.

I don't like the sweltering heat, but thankfully, I have a higher tolerance for it.  when we go grocery shopping this past Friday (predicted as the coolest day in the string of scorchers to come), we take my little Scion instead of Danny's Subaru as I've never felt comfortable driving the latter.  We can pull up to the store front, flip on the hazard lights, and engage in what we used to call a "Chinese Fire Drill" in the days before political correctness descended, then Danny can quickly enter the store while I hunt for a place to park.

When we're finally in the check-out line, I head back out to the parking lot so I can have the car right there at the curb for Danny the moment he emerges from the store.  This routine definitely keeps his exposure to the debilitating heat to a minimal.  Once we're home, since our yard is so shaded, he can let down his guard and breathe a sigh of relief.

As the Psalmist states above, the Lord is our shade at our right hand.  Trusting completely in Him, we know that the sun cannot cause us harm on even the most simmering of summer days.  God's plan to place Danny and me together in marriage so many years ago is no random coincidence.

It is an intentional act on His part.  Knowing from the beginning and the end of our lives how we could, and would, be of help to one another, in His great love, God brought us together for His purpose and our benefit.

And for that, and so many other blessings, we give Him all our thanks and praise.

Amen!

What Would Jesus Undo?

 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ~1 John 3:1

Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less. ~C. S. Lewis

I'm sure most of you recall the popular use in Christian circles of the WWJD, What Would Jesus Do bracelets.  In my case, it's not a bracelet, but a "charm" affixed to my key ring, one I treasure as my daughter, Sarah, gives it to me.  So thoughtful!

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Jared introduces a new series of sermons focused not on "What Would Jesus Do" but "What Would Jesus Undo?"  Huh?  Where can he possibly be going with this theme?

The idea comes from Jared's skepticism about seeing people wearing those bracelets, yet displaying anything but Christian-like behavior.  Because, as he aptly explains, behaving like Jesus does not come naturally to us humans.  After all, who among us can claim that we never think about how others perceive us; stop to help anyone in need even when it interrupts our lives; forgive quickly and often, or are willing to lay down our lives for the sake of another?

Hard questions, aren't they?  Our secular culture runs counter-intuitive to Jesus' teachings.  It values greed, envy and control, all of which is exacerbated by the lie that we can make it on our own without God's help.  This leads to lives centered on us, not on God as they should be. 

Especially in this age of social media, images of others' "perfect lives" only serve to make us feel "less-than."  We make constant comparisons.  We refuse to try new things because we imagine we might fail.  As Jared stresses to us, we mistakenly think we're simply not good enough.  This form of self-condemnation says I know myself better than Jesus does.

Our culture wants to label us, rank us, tell us that love is conditional.  In order to be the best, you have to "Be the Best."  Is that even possible?  Of course not!  There will always be someone better at what you may perceive as your best trait or talent.

But God.

Jesus willingly became one of us and willingly died for every one of us that we might be restored to a right relationship with the Father as He intended.  From Adam and Eve to the present, we have all messed up, but because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are now works in progress in the glorious process of sanctification.  If we even entertain the notion that we don't need God's help in doing this, we fall for the greatest lie of all.

Society may tell us that we have to earn love, but with God, that love is unconditional.  There is nothing we can do more or less that can alter His love and grace.

Remember, my friend, you are created in God's image.

You are His beloved child.

You are enough.

Amen!

These are the bracelets Pastor Jared made for us to take and wear.  Great way to start a conversation!

Watching and Listening

 

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ~Psalm 139:7-8

Danny and I enthusiastically anticipate our Face Time conversations with daughter, Sarah, and the grandchildren, especially our oldest, Virginia.  Consumed by work as of late, Sarah hasn't had the opportunity for any lengthy chats in the last two weeks, so we are delighted to finally connect with here this past Saturday.

We catch up on each other's news, always more on their end than ours and are especially anxious to hear about Virginia's recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg to be specific, with her friend whose family has invited her to join them on their vacation.  Danny and I have taken Virginia to the mountains with us on two different occasions where we stayed gorgeous cabins.  The first trip is in 2019,

And the second, in 2022.

Virginia is bubbling over with all the details of her recent mountain adventures.  She describes here first foray into the icy waters of Little Pigeon River via innertube, even the time or two that the rapids practically upend her.  Although they do stay in a cabin-like motel in town, she does get to visit a sprawling luxury cabin owned by a relative of the family where, she says, she had vast and breathtaking views of the mountains all around them.  What a thrill!

Since her birthday (sweet 16!) falls during the week Virginia is there, her friend and her mother even take her shopping in Gatlinburg and gift her with a beautiful, and what Sarah describes as probably expensive, bracelet.  How thoughtful of them!

But the highlight of her adventure is when they go to one of Gatlinburg's finest restaurants, The Peddler, for dinner.  I instantly recognize the name as I've heard my friends, Karen and Mike Friday at Friday's Forever on YouTube, talking about what a high-end place it is, one best suited for special occasions when it's okay to splurge.  While we're using Danny's phone for this Face Time call, he checks his computer to see the Peddler's menu.

Holy guacamole!  Those prices!!!  And Virginia tells us there were six people at dinner that evening.  Six!!!  It takes me a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor.

The long and short of it is, Virginia will never forget how special her 16th birthday was.  After chatting for over an hour, we end the call with our prolific good-byes and love-yous before shutting down the screen.  I find myself wishing, not for the first nor last time, that they lived closer to us.

After a while, I decide to check my email on my phone to see if anything important has landed in my inbox during the interim.  I can't believe what I see!  Front and center, as plain as day, is an ad for The Peddler!  What???  We use Danny's phone for the Face Time, his computer to research the restaurant, yet the ad comes to my phone!

No matter what we do, intentionally or not, our devices are always listening to us and tracking our every move.  It's intrusive, unsettling and yes, downright scary.  Big Brother is no longer confined to Orwell's 1984.  He's here, he's now and he's watching.  Sadly, it's the price we have to pay if we wish to stay in touch with family and friends over the miles.

But here is the good news - Our Father has looked over us and out for us time out of mind.  There isn't anywhere we can roam that He doesn't see us, hear us, care for us, and love us beyond measure.  We are bound to Him through Jesus and the Spirit with everlasting ties that nothing in heaven or on earth can ever unravel.

I'll take that kind of watching and listening any day of the week!

Amen!

Don't forget to visit The Christian Lounge and see what's new!

The Light of Life

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~John 8:12

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. ~C. S. Lewis

My word for the year is Light.  Although I haven't written about it here in quite some time, it has been a constant in my daily life as I observe seasons transitioning from winter to spring and now summer.  Our home, nestled in the woods, tends to be darker than most during the day, so those glimpses of the sun's radiance are a coveted sight.

The top photos shows my work area for my Bible and devotional readings.  I've noticed, with great delight, that starting around 11:00 in the morning, the sun streams through the window on a clear day, providing such ample illumination that I don't have to turn on my overhead lamp.  Needless to say, that hour has become my favorite time for engaging with my Bible study.

And yes, as summer rolls on, the time of the sunshine's entrance will shift; I'll be following its progress faithfully.  Now if our Congress would decide to keep to Daylight Savings Time as I mention in my previous post, I can look forward to this reenactment next July, too.  No, I'm not holding my breath.

We enjoy a bright, sunny day just this past week, and I can't resist snapping some photos of the sunlight on the leaves.

Even on rainy days, the light that gets through the clouds shimmers and dances on the leaves in such a magical style.

As Christians, we know that Jesus walks with us each and every day.  He is truly the light of the world, the light of life, and in Him there is no darkness at all.  Even on a starless, moonless night, His light shines through us as our faith and trust in Him grows and flourishes.  Because God's Holy Spirit dwell within us, we can, and we will, experience what C. S. Lewis describes in the quote above.

We will see the world around us with the loving eyes of Jesus.

And that's the only way we can live freely and fully.

Amen!

Something We Can All Agree On

 

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Let all the people say, "Amen!"  Praise the Lord. ~Psalm 106:48

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

Once again, the possibility of keeping the USA on one time year-round instead of switching semi-annually, is on the table.  The House of Representatives passes a bill just last week to keep Daylight Savings Time permanent.  There are already doubts that the Senate will vote in the affirmative.  However, I, for one, am happy that it's at least being discussed, and I'm hoping that they will come to a bi-partisan consensus agreeable to the majority of Americans.

The following quote in a July 16th press release from the AP encapsulates the essence of why time changes matter:  Currently, the shift is forward in spring and back to standard time in fall as a way to give people more daylight time in the summer evenings.  But the semi-annual change has few fans - and AP-NORC* poll last year found that only 12% of American adults were in favor of it, while almost half opposed it.  Proponents of a single time include the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine - outfits to whom daily rhythms are deeply important.

I can tell you from personal experience that those daily rhythms are of utmost importance to me.  And the older I get, the more I find my body craves a dependable routine.  Even when I was much younger, having to adjust to new sleep schedules and dealing with growing children became irritatingly problematic, especially the "spring forward" aspect of the whole ordeal.  Add to that a cat and a dog who had no concept of time, and things could and did go south in a hurry.

In the end, necessary adjustments are realized, but why put us through this mess in the first place?  I know there will be plenty of opinions regarding whether we should remain on Daylight Savings Time or permanently revert to Standard Time, and I'm sure, too, depending on where in the country you live, you much prefer one over the other.  Or perhaps, you don't have strong feelings either way.  Pro or con, I'd love to hear from you in the comments.  This should produce a lively discussion for all who choose to participate!

We can certainly agree or disagree about time changes here on earth, but I take great comfort in knowing that our God is the unchanging, everlasting Father.  Time never dictates His agenda.  He is beyond our worldly understanding of time, yet never inaccessible in the present moment.  What a blessing that is!

And I think that's something we can all agree on.

Amen!

*National Opinion and Research Center

Mom Always Liked You Best!

 

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ~James 2:1

Back in the late 1960's, audiences were treated to the music and comedy of The Smothers Brothers on various variety shows and on their own show for three seasons. Dick Smothers played the straight-man, and brother, Tommy, was the clown and upstart. One of their famed routines, which never failed to evoke laughter from their viewers, involved Tommy, slowly but surely, losing an argument with Dick and finally, in exasperation at the lack of any better rejoinder, defiantly blurting out, "Mom always liked you best!" As a child watching this, I was unsure if it was only a joke or if Tommy really felt his mother had shown favoritism toward Dick as they were growing up together. It made me wonder, quite uncomfortably I might add, if my own parents liked my brother more than they liked me. With these worries, I struggled to find this skit humorous, and always felt immeasurably sorry for Tommy.

In the scripture referred to above, James exhorts the early church to avoid showing favoritism to any of the members. It seems this church was deferring to their wealthy members while treating the poorer with indifference. This partiality indicated that worldly values were being placed above heavenly ones, and James is anxious to guide them away from such practices which lead not to glory, but to sin. He doesn't tolerate a lip-service faith, but demands one of action where belief in and the following of Christ Jesus is lived out to the letter. If Christ died for all, then all should be welcomed with the same love He showed to us.

Do you perceive partiality or favoritism being played out in your church? Do you struggle with the notion that all who walk through the doors of the sanctuary should be equally accepted? When strangers enter the Sunday service or a Sunday school class for the first time, how are they greeted? How are they treated? Do they feel like Dick, the loved one, or like Tommy, the one who isn't quite lovable enough? Today, think of the ways partiality affects your life, and if you find it does, vow to make the change which allows you to love your neighbor as yourself.

Amen!

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A More Perfect Union

 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. ~Proverbs 16:3

We spend the evening of July 4th viewing consecutive shows on Fox News highlighting events happening on the national mall and around the country as everyone is gearing up to celebrate our 250th birthday.  Danny and I know we can't possibly stay up for the grand finale of fireworks as we have church the next day, but we certainly enjoy what festivities we do see, especially the earth-shaking fly-overs, and we admire the thousands who are braving the sweltering heat to secure their place on the mall to hear our president speak and watch the momentous fireworks which will ensue.

Then the unexpected, unwelcomed interruption occurs.  A thunderstorm with lightning is fast approaching.  The news anchors who are broadcasting from an open, raised pavilion are swiftly ushered into a safe trailer, dubbed the Freedom Bunker, which also serves as protection for musical guests, celebrities and, most importantly, WWII veterans who are to be honored on stage later that evening.  In a twinkling, the carefully choreographed coverage has all but dissolved and the challenge of thinking on their feet reveals just how talented and versatile these Fox News anchors are.

The ways in which they interact so seamlessly and congenially with the people into whose midst they are thrown displays to a person their genuine concern for and interest in others and their stories.  More than once, Danny and I find ourselves exchanging looks of amazement at everyone's candor and friendliness as the coverage, now more personal and meaningful, takes on a life and energy all its own.

From the singing of God Bless America by the 106-year-old Cpl. Wilbur "Jack" Myers to Jason Crabb and Michael W. Smith belting out Awesome God in an impromptu duet, to the excellent rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by a talented trio of ladies dressed like the Andrews Sisters, we are blissfully afforded a sneak peek at the entertainment we would have seen later that evening if we were night owls.  Danny and I repeatedly remark while watching this spontaneous, unscripted version of our nation's birthday is the best, most memorable, we've ever seen.

We witness, in real time, the very embodiment of American resilience.  The lightning may flash and the thunder roll along our nation's journey, but our belief in a sovereign God and the freedoms only He can guarantee will never be defeated.  United as One Nation Under God, we can celebrate our 250th birthday and look forward to the next 250 years with the hope and confidence that only comes from the Lord.

Let us pray that with each passing day, we become that more perfect union that our Founding Fathers envisioned for our great nation so many years ago.

Amen!

Happy Birthday, USA!

 

So, if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~John 8:36

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

On July 4th, 2026, our beloved nation turns 250 years old!  I know I'm not alone when I say that I couldn't be more proud to be an American, especially during this landmark year.  I'm old enough to remember our 200th birthday, too.  Unfortunately, I was in England at that time for a summer study of British literature.  But our group was genuinely surprised and honored to witness the Buckingham Palace guards offer a royal tribute to their American brothers and sisters.

Those moments, I recall, were the first time during that monumental trip when I felt the poignant twinge of homesickness, pining for the land I love.

Fifty years later, I find it both ironic and joyful that so many FIFA fans from all over the world have descended on our great nation for the games.  Their exuberance for the American way of life, from Buckee's to Waffle House, cold beer and air conditioning, from sea to shining sea, is both infectious and inspiring.  Truly, their enthusiasm for our country reminds us how blessed we are to have the freedoms that we often take for granted.

I'm absolutely loving every moment leading up to the big day and I plan to revel in the celebrations taking place on the National Mall and all throughout the land.  But it's not just about barbeques, parades, fireworks and flyovers, although they are all fantastic in and of themselves.

It's about God.

Our Founding Fathers were immersed in His Word, recognizing it as the very cornerstone of western civilization.  When they came to the original thirteen colonies, they brought with them all the best of the Old World's ideas and ideals, and created a government like not other ever before seen or tried.  I believe with every fiber of my being that it was God's will to establish this nation as His "Shining City on the Hill."  After all, when one looks at the historical improbability of rag-tag militias triumphing over the then greatest empire in the world, how could it have possibly happened without Him?  Winning our revolution against the formidable British Empire was nothing short of miraculous!

Here, 250 years later, figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin loom large in our collective conscience as do countless more who contributed to the formation of our government.  But we must hold tightly to what John Adams stated above:  Our Constitution is made only for a moral and religious people.  If we lose sight of that basic premise, our country will be lost.

So let's resolve to put the Lord first in our lives always, thanking Him for all our blessings, and praying that He will ever defend, protect and inspire us to do great things that are pleasing in His sight.  And we we ever cherish and uphold the freedoms America affords us because God is on His throne.

Happy Birthday, USA, and may you celebrate many more!

Amen!

The Best Part of Waking Up

 

 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ~Luke 21:33

Morning coffee in our house isn't a suggestion, it's a requirement.  Danny mentions recently that he thinks our Cuisine Art coffee maker is about eight years old, the same age as our previous one is when it gives up the ghost.  He even browses the web to see what types of coffee makers would make a reasonable, practical replacement should our current one decide to go the way of its predecessor.

Friday evening, while Danny is cooking dinner, he glances over at the coffee maker and notices that the display clock is uncharacteristically blank.  We experience several glitches in our electricity that afternoon.  Thinking that might be the issue, he unplugs the machine and plugs it in again.  Zilch.  Zero.  Nada.  The Cuisine Art has unceremoniously brewed its last.

What are we to do now?

Fortunately, we have both metal and plastic pour-over devices to use for our morning Joe.  I use the plastic one with a coffee filter in it to slow the drip when boiling water is poured into it.

While it works okay, my coffee isn't strong enough for my liking.  And for someone spoiled by simply setting up my coffee the night before which only requires me to press the "on" button in the morning, going through the extra steps when I'm not yet fully awake is a dangerous undertaking.

By the time Danny gets up, he uses the metal filter for his coffee.

This doesn't require a paper filter, but dumping out the used grounds creates another issue.  They have to actually be washed out of the filter.  Sending unwanted grounds down our kitchen sink when we are only on a septic tank is not the way we wish to go for any length of time.

It turns out that Danny's preemptive research pays off.  On Sunday, we welcome this beauty!

The Technivorm Moccamaster is a hand-crafted and individually tested coffee maker which has been manufactured in the Netherlands since 1964.  It meets the high standards that the European Union demands for all its products, so what little plastic it does contain is safe.  We do expect, too, that this machine will outlast and outperform our last two Cuisine Art purchases.

But no matter what man-made product or appliance we might acquire, we know it is only temporary.  Nothing created in or by this world can last forever.  Eventually, they will pass away.

And so will we.

With that in mind, may we cling all the more tenaciously to what Jesus tells us will never pass away - His Word.  Let us savor each one of them like we do our first, aromatic sip of a richly-brewed coffee.

He's the best part of waking up!

Amen!

Whispers

 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. ~Psalm 95:6-7

Now that I've completed organizing my vast collection of printed photos, I'm finally, finally tackling all the memorabilia we retrieve from my mother's house when she passes away.  I've only scratched the surface when this photo in the header abruptly grabs my attention, evoking precious memories sweeter than the fragrance of new-mown hay.

Yes, that's me perched in the pony cart next to my cousin, John, who is confidently guiding Queenie, the gentle Shetland pony, as she dutifully pulls her load.  Seated on the stone wall is my Uncle Harris, John's father, who is married to my dad's only sister, Mary Jane.  Visits with them at their farm every summer when our family makes our annual pilgrimage back to Massachusetts to reunite with relatives, are always enchanting adventures.

Although the term wouldn't be coined until years later, Uncle Harris meets the dictionary definition of a horse whisperer.  My brother, Bill, and I along with John, love to accompany him when he would walk down to the pasture gate to bring the horses into the ancient red barn for the evening.

Cautioning us to stand well to the side of the dirt path at a safe distance from straying hooves, Harris opens the gate; its subtle creaking is enough to alert the horses in the field.  Their heads fly up from where they are grazing and swivel, ears high and alert, toward the sound.  The moment they catch sight of Harris, they trot headlong in this direction, snorting and whinnying their greetings long before reaching him.  Once through the pasture gate, each horse heads obediently toward the barn and enters its respective stall to wait patiently for their master to feed them their nightly grain.

Uncle Harris never has to call or whistle to get the horses' attention.  As he feeds them, he gently strokes each one and speaks in a voice so soft and low, I can't understand the words he says.  But I am certain that these powerful, free-spirited creatures, so docile in his presence, understand every word he utters.  They know where they belong and to whom they belong; they are the horses of his pasture, the herd utter his care.

So, imagine this with me for a moment:  Jesus is standing at the pasture gate.  Does He have to whoop and holler to get your attention?  Or, are you already running toward Him with gladness, thankful to be in His care?

It shouldn't take more than a whisper from Jesus to convince us to follow Him.

Amen!

Rest and Relaxation

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." ~Mark 6:31

Oh, what a joyful and celebratory week we spend with daughter, Sarah, her husband, John, and our three beautiful granddaughters, Virginia, Savannah and Alexandra!  They arrive here on Saturday, June 30th, and depart a week later.  We wish the visit could be longer, but we make the most of the time we have and treasure every moment.

Because we have limited space at our house, we book a hotel room for John and Sarah; Alexandra, being the youngest, decides she would rather stay with her parents than with Gammie and Papa, but that's okay.  Virginia and Savannah are in full summer mode, sleeping in until mid-morning, which gives me more quiet time than I could have imagined possible.  When their parents, their sister and the family dog, Finn, come over each day, they are all ready to indulge in the thoughtfully planned lunch that Danny prepares for all of us.

Our dinners, too, are designed for deliciousness.  I can't believe I never snapped a photo of Danny in the kitchen, but take my word for it - no one goes hungry at the Orlando Cafe!

Conversations abound as do our many games of backgammon played each day.  Even Alexandra is learning how to play and is doing quite well.

Although, she definitely has her moments of silliness!

Perhaps you are wondering about the birthday balloons featured in the header photos.  That's to honor Savannah's birthday in April and Virginia's and Alexandra's in July.  Since we can't be there in person, Papa and I decide to recognize their special days while they are here with us.  All three of them seem delighted by these unexpected gifts.

The girls are also thrilled by visit from their Uncle Daniel and Uncle Nicco, both of whom bring birthday gifts.

Virginia is elated with the pen/pencil set, sketch pad and the satchel to hold them all from Daniel.

Here's Nicco showing something to Virginia on Danny's computer.

Opening their gifts from him.

Most of all, we want Sarah and John to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.  They both work so hard and truly deserve this break from the daily routine.  They assure us that they are, indeed, feeling refreshed and renewed by week's end.

Our home, so recently full of the good-natured, boisterous chaos, is now oddly silent as I write this post on the day they leave for home.  We miss all of them already and, as always, we wish they lived closer to us.  Still, we are so grateful for any and all time God gives us to be together.  He is the joyous source of every blessing.

Amen!