Sunday's Specialty

Psalm 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Good morning - it's Sunday, once again!

What does it mean to be thankful? I like these definitions - "aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful." We are instructed in Scripture, in both Old and New Testaments, to be thankful, to show appreciation, and to be grateful to God. Sometimes I really do wonder just how thankful are we? God has been so good to all of us, and He's so deserving of our thanks each and every day, but how much appreciation is He really shown?

It's Sunday, and our hearts are turned toward church, and a time of giving God praise, but He's been good Monday-Saturday, and deserves praise even when we aren't in church. My husband and I were talking recently about how quick we pray as we bless each meal that we eat. God is the reason we have food, and a simple, shallow "God bless this food" often seems so insignificant. I know we don't pray long prayers at meal time, but a little more thought could be put into those times of saying grace, don't you think?

I desire a thankful heart, one that really appreciates God in my life; not just His blessings, but His presence. How often do we give Him recognition and gratitude for His Spirit that dwells within us? I have no friend who is with me 24/7 - but God is, and I never want to take Him for granted. He's the best thing that ever happened to me.

This old song (written by Billy Graves) came to my mind this morning shortly after I awakened -

Just want to tell you 

I'm thankful for all that You have done

For the sun and the moonlight

And the setting sun

And when my work down here is through

I'm coming home to be with You

Just want to tell You I'm thankful

That's all

I hope we all go to the house of the Lord today and pour on Him deep, heartfelt thankfulness and gratitude. No one deserves it more.

Until tomorrow, Lord willing................

Saturday's Snippet

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Good morning.... Sweet Saturday to all of you!

I awoke this morning with verse 15 of Ephesians 5 on my mind, and as I thought on this particular verse, I remembered my Dad's definition for the word "circumspectly" from when I was a preteen. Dad had looked up the word in a dictionary and found it to mean "watchful and wary in all directions." Every time I read this verse, I remember my Dad saying those words.

It seems that the Apostle Paul is giving a snippet of sound instruction to the church at Ephesus. These three verses do not contain a lot of words, but the seriousness within them runs deep. He seems to be admonishing the saints with three specific points:

1) walk circumspectly and wisely - in looking for more definitions for the word "circumspectly", I found words like "cautious, prudent, thinking carefully before doing or saying anything". Paul simply wanted the church in Ephesus to be concerned about their circumstances and to handle themselves wisely.

2) redeeming the time - I also looked up the word "redeeming", and found this appropriate meaning: "To redeem time is to use more diligence in the improvement of it; to be diligent and active in duty and preparation (The King James Bible Page). Paul reminds the Ephesians that the days are evil, and the importance of working hard to improve the time we have here on this earth.

3) He once more emphasizes wisdom and understanding God's will in verse 17. How can we gain wisdom in order to know God's will? The answer can be found in James 1:5 - 

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." 

The more time we spend in prayer and in His word, the better we will understand what God wants us to do.

I really don't have a song on my mind today but simply felt the need to share what was on my heart. The days are definitely evil and we need to live in a state of prayerfulness, caution, and wisdom. I love to be lighthearted and to laugh, but sometimes it is imperative that we focus on the deeper things of God.

I hope today's blog post has been a help to you. Thanks for stopping by!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............

 

Friday's Footnote

Philippians 4:13

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Good morning, and a Fabulous Friday, Family & Friends!

A few days ago, my youngest brother and I had a sweet sibling conversation, and I treasure each one of those. We talked a lot about our Dad, who is being diminished by dementia. Much of what we shared had to do with how we handle the ups and downs in trying to come to grips with the fact that our parents are aging. 

In the conversation, my brother mentioned a poem that my nephew (his son) had memorized in school when he was younger. I'd like to share that poem with all of you today:

TWO FROGS IN CREAM

by T.C. Hamlet

Two frogs fell into a can of cream,

Or so I’ve heard it told;

The sides of the can were shiny & steep,

The cream was deep & cold.

"O, what’s the use?" croaked Number One,

"’Tis fate; no help’s around.

Goodbye, my friends! Goodbye, sad world!"

And weeping still, he drowned.

But Number Two, of sterner stuff,

Dog-paddled in surprise.

The while he wiped his creamy face

And dried his creamy eyes.

"I’ll swim awhile, at least," he said-

Or so I’ve heard he said;

"It really wouldn’t help the world

If one more frog were dead."

An hour or two he kicked & swam,

Not once he stopped to mutter,

But kicked & kicked & swam & kicked,

then hopped out...

                                                                via butter!

We all have a choice in how we handle the cards that life deals us. We can be like Frog Number One, and weep about our situation.... and drown in our own tears. Or, we can choose to be of "sterner stuff" like Frog Number Two, and paddle through the cold cream of life until we make butter.... and then climb up out of our dilemma. I like the visual this poem creates!

Even though we face many situations that are extremely difficult to handle, it is important to keep a spiritually positive mindset, much like our Number Two Frog Friend. We CAN do ALL THINGS through CHRIST!! HE is our strength. In ourselves, we are weak and ineffective... Oh, but when you put Christ at the center, well, nothing is impossible!!

I trust you all have a Fabulous Friday.... and think about our Frog Friends. We have a choice of drowning or being butter-churners!!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing..............

Friday's Footnote:  "We should be inspired by people......who show that human beings can be kind, brave, generous, beautiful, strong - even in the most difficult circumstances." - Rachel Corrie

Thursday's Thought

Psalm 115:14

The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

Good morning, to one and all!

Today's post will be directed to a special young lady. She's been a part of my life all her life, and I love her dearly. I'm writing about my precious, pretty daughter Heidi. Today is her 37th birthday, and while I'm missing being with her, I'm grateful that she is able to celebrate with the husband and sons God has given her.

We love to text and talk daily, but when we encounter something really funny in our every day lives, we cannot wait to share it. Laughter makes up a lot of our conversations. We both enjoy cooking and baking, but other than family, our conversations are a lot about the Lord. For that, I am truly thankful. It's wonderful to have a daughter, but it's best when that daughter loves God. 

My prayer is that today will hold very, very special blessings for Heidi. She is one of my faithful daily blog followers, and has always encouraged me in my writing. I guess you can tell, I'm really happy to have a daughter. I love my two sons very much, and we have a special bond as well, but a daughter - well, there's a really special bond there!

I'm trying to think of a song to include today, but instead, I'll insert a poem:

Mirror

When you look in the mirror,

I hope you can see

exactly what you mean to me.

An amazing lady,

a trusted friend,

someone who will be there

until the end.

When you look in the mirror,

I hope you can see

the beautiful woman

God shared with me.

 -- L. Darnell

Happy Birthday, Heidi! Throw confetti everywhere and on everyone today!!! Celebrate!

Love, Mom

Until tomorrow, Lord willing..............

Wednesday's Whisper

Revelation 3:20

 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Wonderful Wednesday to all of you!!

As I was pondering today's whisper of a spoonful, a sweet memory came to mind. I was teaching Sunday School to the 7-9 year old group and the lesson was about Jesus sitting down to eat with people in the Bible. I followed the guidelines in the teacher's manual to create a beautifully set table. We left the place at the head of the table empty as if Jesus was sitting there. Each person, including Jesus, was given a plate. We prayed and then I passed out fruit and something else to each child, but I put nothing in the plate reserved for Jesus. 

One little girl said, "You didn't give Jesus any." Wow!!! I almost cried. They were watching what I did, and they had caught on to the fact that He was there, but I had not. 

We continued on through our lesson, as children sometimes do, one little boy burped. Quickly, another child reprimanded him, "Don't burp, Jesus is at the table."

To that, the first little girl who was concerned about Jesus not being given food replied, "He's always at the table." Oh, my, the sweetness of a child. Again, I was near tears.

That scene from so many years ago is so dear, like it happened only weeks ago. Jesus is with us always. When we sit down to eat, or when we are cleaning house, writing letters or paying bills, He's HERE!!

Regarding the focus verse for today, one pastor mentioned that if Jesus was such a friend, He should not have to knock on the door in order to enter. He would walk right on in, because He would feel invited. I had never thought about it on that wise. My thinking was always that He was a gentleman, that He would never force Himself into our lives. He comes by invitation only. Oh, but when He comes in, such sweet communion we can have with Him!

I've used this song before in a blog post, but it's on my mind again (written by Israel Houghton; Martha Denise Munizzi; Meleasa Houghton):

There's a sweet anointing in the sanctuary

There's a stillness in the atmosphere

Come and lay down the burdens you have carried

For in the sanctuary, God is here

He is here, He is here

To break the yoke and lift the heavy burden

He is here, He is here

To heal the hopeless heart, and bless the broken

What a blessed way to start one's day - with a sweet visit from the Lord. Whether we talk, or I just listen..... He still whispers words of hope and help to us!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............

Monday's Moment

Acts 2:1-4

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Good morning, and a Marvelous Monday we have come to see once more!!!

Early on many Monday mornings I like to reflect on the events of the day before. Today was no exception, and as I thought about the church services we attended in Arkansas, I felt to write about what a great time we had in God! Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, and the sermon Sunday morning was about "Just Another Day... Until." When the 120 gathered in the upper room on that special day long ago, it was just business as usual, until the power and presence of Almighty God filled the room where they were sitting.

What a wind that day! What fire, and what anointing as the Holy Ghost filled all of those believers, and they "began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance," Wow! While I wasn't there on that FIRST day of Pentecost, I have experienced that fire and infilling for myself. And, what I really love about the Holy Ghost is that it doesn't just happen once; you can keep stirring up that gift over and over and over again.

Such were the two services we attended yesterday with our friends. We meant to slip in quietly and unnoticed as we were traveling home from a short vacation in Branson, but friends won't let that happen. But, God's power was so strong from the beginning in the morning service until the ending of the night service. People were weeping and worshipping; singing and shouting; praying and praising. It was so uplifting to be a part of a church that is a continuation of the early church we read about in the book of Acts!

I love this song about the places I've been (written by the McFalls):

I've been in the presence of a spirit-filled service

And I've seen the Holy Ghost falling like rain

The hearts and the lives that were broken were being mended

And I've seen the sinner being set free from sin

And I've seen blind eyes being opened

And the lame walk again

These are the places I've been

Although I've traveled throughout a few states during my lifetime, the places I've traveled to in God far exceed any sights and sounds here on earth. I'm grateful for time spent in God's house and in HIS presence!!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............

Tuesday's Tidbit

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Terrific Tuesday morning, to one and all!!

Have you ever been gripped by fear? I have on more than one occasion, and just like the Bible declares, "fear hath torment." Fear cripples. Fear has a steel grip that grasps your emotions, rendering you helpless. That type of fear does not come from God, and the only way to rid ourselves of that type of tormenting fear is to truly be in love with God.

I had a dream over a year ago, and in that dream I saw a narrow passageway that I was to walk into. It was very narrow, without a lot of light, and I could not see the end. Fear gripped me in the dream, and when I awoke I was still aching from the fear. I remember trying to quote a scripture that I knew but the words wouldn't come, but as the fear loosened its hold one me, I just said, "God is not the author of confusion." I wrote the dream down because I felt it had meaning, and even though some time has passed, I still recall the effect that dream had on me, and the fear that gripped me that morning. The verse I was trying to recall but couldn't was:

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God's Word is the weapon we need against fear. All around us we can see events taking place and, if we are not careful, we will find ourselves fearing the unknown. Only God knows what is ahead for us and, above all else, we need to remember that He is in control! If we trust Him, and have a deep relationship with Him, He will keep us. Over and over in the Bible we read these words, "Fear not....." It was true when it was written and it's still true today. Our God will fight for us! Another verse to remember is from Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper....."

I will close with the words to this beautiful chorus, as sung by Carman:

Fear not, My child

I am with you always

I feel every pain

And every tear I see

Fear not, My child

I am with you always

I know how to care for what belongs to Me

Hoping, praying, and trusting that when fear enters our lives, we will turn to our Fearless Father.... and rest in Him!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...............