Monday's Moment

Isaiah 43:1-2

1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

² When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Good morning - Marvelous Monday Morning - to all of you!

What a great Sunday has just passed, and also for me, what a wonderful week has passed being in Illinois with my youngest brother, his family, and our parents. We saw many friends we hadn't seen in awhile; we've eaten "high on the hog" as my Dad used to say. To summarize - we've enjoyed life!

That brings me to this last blog post about thankfulness on this last day of November, with today's spoonful being dedicated to the journey of life. I'm glad for the privilege of walking with the Lord! The verses I chose to head up today's post are some of my favorites and I feel they sum up the Christian life.

First of all, the Lord is speaking - that we have been created by Him. He tells us not to fear. We are redeemed; called by His name; His possession. When (not if) you pass through waters, God will be there; and when those waters become rivers, we must remember they will NOT OVERFLOW us. When we walk through fiery trials, they may hurt but they won't destroy us! What great promises! Wherever we are, wherever we go, we know that we are not alone for the Almighty God is with us.

The journey of life takes us over low hills, high mountains, deep valleys, etc., but, if we can do our best to smell the roses along the way, and enjoy the scenery with its frequent detours, it will be much more bearable for us. Some parts of our journey may seem like endless dark tunnels but He is our light. Other times, we may seem that we are climbing up the rough side of the mountain, but our God is the maker and mover of mountains!

Soon, my husband and I will board another plane which will take us back to our MS home, and we pray for God to guide us safely there. He knows what is ahead for us. He knows the work that we have yet to do for Him. Our trust is in Him as we move into each new step or each new day in this journey of life.

A dear lady that attended church with us in MS, who has now gone on to her reward, loved singing this song. In her memory, I include it today:

Walk With Me, Lord

(author unknown)

Walk with me, Lord

Walk with me

Walk with me, Lord

Walk with me

While I'm on this tedious journey

I want you, Jesus, to walk with me

Be my friend, Lord

Be my friend

Be my friend, Lord

Be my friend

While I'm on this tedious journey

I want You, Jesus, to be my friend

Hold my hand, Lord

Hold my hand

Hold my hand, Lord

Hold my hand

While I'm on this tedious journey

I want You, Jesus, to hold my hand

God bless you, my faithful readers, as you journey with the Lord today. Treasure each step that you take with Him by your side.

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow, as we begin another month of spoonfuls of tonic!

Sunday's Specialty

Psalm 34:7

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Good morning, and a Special Sunday to you all!

Well, this is our last Sunday of November and all I can say is that time sure is passing swiftly! As I was pondering what to write about today as there is much to be thankful for, I decided to write about God's blessing of protection. The verse from Psalm 34 has been a favorite one of mine for quite some time now. God is watching over us, and for this I am most grateful.

Each time we get in our car to go somewhere, we do our best to pray for protection. Whenever we are taking long trips whether by car, motor home, or plane, we ask the Lord to watch over us, and take us to our destination safely. Upon arrival, I often breathe a heartfelt, "Thank You, Lord, for a safe trip." 

There are many Bible stories of how God watched over His people, and many stories have been shared during my life time relating to God's hand of protection. We truly need the shelter of His arms in today's disturbing times. 

A sweet little song that I learned on the way to a summer camp many years ago comes to mind, and I just think I'll close today's blog post with it:

All night, all day

Angels watching over me, my Lord

All night, all day

Angels watching over me

Let's not take one trip without praying for protection. When we arrive safely, let's show God how grateful we are that He allowed us a safe journey.

God bless you all with a special and safe Sunday... and, as always, if He's willing, I'll see you again tomorrow with another spoonful!

Saturday's Snippet

Luke 10:34

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

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

After visiting with my Dad in the nursing home yesterday, I decided to dedicate today's spoonful of thankfulness to the medical profession. Whether doctor, nurse, nurse's assistant, dietician, orderly, etc., I want to give thanks for all of them. I must confess that spending time around the aged and stroke victims leaves me feeling awful. I do not like what I see when I visit Dad. My desire has never been to serve as a nurse because I cannot seem to handle well the suffering of others.

What would life be like if we had no medical professionals? If we were hurting, yet there was no one to turn to that knew how to help our pain? Thanks be to God for giving certain individuals the knowledge to pursue the higher call to serve others in the medical field. I am grateful for them.

Which turns my thoughts toward the Great Physician - the One who knows us by name, created us for HIS glory - and who knows about all our pain, whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual. He knows. He cares, and He heals. Blessed be the Lord, our God forevermore!!

A sweet song from years back comes to mind right now:

I'm So Glad He Found Me

by The Hinsons

Verse One

I was on the mountain

Wandering from the fountain

When I heard my Savior calling me

He said, Come to me relenting,

Of your sins repenting

And I will bring you out where you can see

Chorus

And I'm so glad He found me

In love He bound me

He put His arms around me

Then He led me to the shelter

And now I'm one of His own

And oh, the joy of knowing

With heart a glowing

Some day I'm going

To my home, my home in glory

And walk the streets paved with gold

Verse Two

I will love Him ever

Stray from Him no never

For He's the dearest Friend I ever knew

And when I see Him yonder

My love will then grow fonder

In that happy land beyond the blue

If you work in the medical field, Thank You, for your service to others. If you know a medical professional, give them a big Thank You today for all they do to help those in need.

God bless your Saturday, making it sweet! I hope to see you tomorrow with another spoonful of thankfulness!

Friday's Footnote

1 John 1:3

 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Good morning, one and all.... on this Fabulous Friday!

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving..... Oh, what a wonderful day yesterday was, especially because of fellowship!! Today's spoonful of thankfulness is about fellowship, which the dictionary defines as "friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests". Yesterday was packed full of food, friends and fellowship!

We ate a lot (way more than I needed), we played games and laughed. Our tables were laden with the tastiest of meats, vegetables, breads, and loads of desserts. One of my favorite desserts was fried pies (I chose peach) that our Indiana friends brought from the Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana, IN. Delectable. Delicious. I've wondered since eating mine... do they ship those???

Our group consisted of:  my brother, sister-in-love and nephew, my SIL's sister, brother-in-love, and niece (Archers from IN), the nephew, niece-in-love, grandniece and grandnephew of my SIL (Archers from FL), and last of all, my husband and me. My mother, who lives in an apartment next door to the church where my brother is pastor, did not feel like joining us. We gathered in the basement of the church and had an awesome time.

All good things must come to an end, but this ending was a very tearful one. When my friends (the Archers from IN) had to part with their grandchildren, who were returning to FL, it broke all of our hearts as the children cried because they didn't want to go. I felt for them because I have known that sadness of saying goodbye to my grandchildren before.

When we all have to go our ways to our individual states and homes, when the fellowship with family and friends ends for a time, how sweet it is to know that our fellowship with our Faithful Father never ceases. He is there when the lights are shut off, and the leftovers are put away, and the games are returned to their containers. Our fellowship with Him never stops, and for that I am truly grateful.

Enjoy your Fabulous Friday with our Father.... the Forever Faithful One!

God bless you, and I hope to see you tomorrow for another spoonful of tonic!

Thursday's Thought

Psalm 84:4

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

Psalm 89:15

 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

Psalm 128:1

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

Happy Thanksgiving to my family and friends!

One word stands out in the above three scriptures - Blessed - and that is my spoonful of thankfulness today - I am BLESSED - and I am grateful for all the blessings I have received of the Lord.

It's very obvious that one blog post could never convey how thankful we are and should be for all the Lord has given us, or bestowed upon us. I am a blessed woman today. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend. I have three grown children, who have brought into my life three in-love children; and they have blessed me with ten (and soon to be eleven) GRAND children! My parents are both alive; I have two brothers who are married with children; I have brothers-in-love and sisters-in-love; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; and cousins galore! I AM BLESSED!!

To my God I say, THANK YOU, for ALL the blessings in my life!!! 

I pray you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. May you all enjoy time with family and friends; and feast upon not only natural food but on all God's goodness in your lives.

I heard this song this week, and love its melody and lyrics. It is how my heart feels today:

I Know How To Say Thank You

by the Gaither Vocal Band

Verse One

I don't know about the future, 

I don't understand some things about the past

I don't know why some things happen

I don't know why some things end and others last

I don't know of the rhymes and reasons

I don't understand the words some people pray

When I see the hand of mercy, Lord, 

Protect me from the dangers in my way.

Chorus

I know how to say, Thank You

I know a blessing when I see one

I'm a recipient of grace

Through the hours and the days

I know how to say, Thank You

Verse Two

There are times today when angels

Stood around me and I couldn't even see

There were times when I was hurting

And then You stepped in and took the pain from me

There were moments when You stopped me, Lord,

So I could smell the roses by the road

Though I'm not the wisest person

There are some things that beyond a doubt I know

Enjoy God's blessings on this another Thanksgiving Day.... and let's all GIVE THANKS to Jesus Christ, our Lord, for making it all possible.

Hoping to see you tomorrow for another spoonful.....

Wednesday's Whisper

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Good morning, one and all - 'tis Wonderful Wednesday once again!

Today is Thanksgiving Eve, a busy day for many of us, scurrying about as we plan for a big meal tomorrow. Yet, for some, this day will be like any other day, and it may be filled with all that is bad, sad and ugly. Yet, in all of it, and in spite of all the bad, God remains good. 

My spoon is full of thanks to God today for His faithfulness; the fact that He is with us always and in all situations. Great is His faithfulness to all of us. What is faithfulness? I found four definitions that I like:

1)    strict or thorough in the performance of duty

2)    true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.

3)    steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant

4)    reliable, trusted, or believed

All of the above definitions describe MY God and His faithfulness to me. On bad days and on good ones, God is there. Maybe I could make that MY definition of faithfulness - it means that wherever I am, whatever I am doing - He's THERE!!!!  He's there for me and with me. He promised that He would never leave me.

To complete this blog post, I want to share the lyrics to an absolutely beautiful song:

He's Been Faithful

(I'm not sure the artist)

Damaris Carbaugh or Vicki Yohe

Verse One

In my moments of fear

Through every pain every tear

There's a God whose been faithful to me

When my strength was all gone

When my heart had no song

Still in love He's proved faithful to me

Every word He promised, is true

And what I thought was impossible

I've seen my God do

Chorus

He's been faithful, faithful to me

Looking back, Your love and mercy I see

In my heart I have questioned

Even failed to believe

But You've been faithful, faithful to me

Verse Two

When my heart looked away

The many times I could not pray

Still in love, He proved faithful to me

The days I spent so selfishly

Reaching out for what pleased me

Even then God was faithful to me

Every time I come back to Him

He is waiting with open arms

And I see once again

Let's all spend time today (and every day) thanking God for His faithfulness to us. May you all have a Wonderful Wednesday with our Wonderful Lord!

Until tomorrow when, Lord willing, we'll share another spoonful!

Tuesday's Tidbit

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Good morning, one and all!

Today's blog post is dedicated to laughter; I am thankful for laughter. If the Lord allows it, my husband and I will be en route to IL very early this morning, via Southwest Airlines, to spend Thanksgiving with my youngest brother, sister-in-love and nephew, as well as my parents. If things go as they have in the past, there will be much laughter. To say I'm excited about seeing my family again is an understatement. I'm thrilled!

Here's another verse I love:

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

We will all experience weeping, laughing, mourning, and dancing in our lives. No one loves the times of weeping and mourning, but they are a part of life. If everything in our lives was lighthearted and funny, we'd be unbalanced. The good and bad are both necessary, and God is the One who determines the time for each. But, for now, please allow me to express my gratitude for laughter and merriment.

Have you ever sung this chorus in church? I have....

Come Let Us Sing

(author unknown)

Come, let us sing

Let us rejoice

Come, let us sing

Let us rejoice

Messiah's come and He brought life

And He put laughter in my soul

It would have been enough 

If He brought love

It would have been enough

If He brought peace

It would have been enough

If He brought joy

But He put laughter in my soul

Ha, ha, ha, ha

Ha, ha, ha, ha

Ha, ha, ha, ha

Ha, ha, ha, ha

He put laughter in my soul

A bad day can turn into a good one while singing this song. Once again, let me say "Thank You, Lord, for the laughter You have brought to my soul."

Have a Terrific Tuesday..... I hope to bring another spoonful to you tomorrow from IL!

Monday's Moment

John 4:10

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

A Marvelous Monday Morning to all of you!

God is good all the time, and He has blessed us to awaken to a new morning! Today's spoonful of thankfulness is for water - pure, thirst-quenching, satisfying, water. I'm a blessed woman because I have been granted the use of water. Sounds very simplistic, I know, but think about life without it, and you'll agree that it's an awesome blessing.

In many countries, water is scarce but not so where I live. I can turn on a faucet in several rooms and there's a never ending supply that flows. We drink water; we bathe in water; we wash clothes in water; we clean with water. It is a vital part of our everyday lives, so it deserves at least one blog post, don't you agree?

As I often do, my thoughts turn from natural things to spiritual and today's subject of water is no different. I like to imagine the woman at the well, a hurting woman, coming to the well and finding a stranger there. A stranger who wanted a drink of water from her and, worse than that, he was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. Surely her thoughts were going crazy - What is going on here? Oh, but after her encounter with Jesus, she received so much more than a drink of water... Jesus told her she could have a river in her soul!

Water is essential for salvation - John 3:5 -  "..... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

I'm thankful for the water, both natural and spiritual, that is a blessing in my life. It's not an additive; it is essential, and I do not wish to take it for granted.

May you all have a Marvelous Monday with the Master - drink of His living water, and thank Him for being buried with Him in baptism!! Water is wonderful!

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Sunday's Specialty

Psalm 104:3

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Good morning, everybody!

Our Special God has given us another Special Sunday to enjoy! Praise be to His Name! Today is November 22nd, and marks my 21st day of giving thanks to God for some blessing in my life (I started a day later in the month than I had planned!) Anyway, today's spoonful of thankfulness goes to modern transportation. 

I wasn't sure what Bible verse to use for this subject but I like the one I chose from Psalms. As I have written a few times in the past, I love word pictures in the Bible, and Psalm 104:3 is definitely a word picture. Talk about transportation, God makes clouds turn into His chariot, and if He decides to walk, why it's on the wings of the wind!! Can you picture that? 

Gone are the days of walking everywhere, of riding horses or other beasts, or riding in stage coaches to get where we are going. God blessed men to invent cars, and I am grateful for that today. In a few hours, we will travel to a city in AR where my husband will preach today. The trip will only take a little more than ninety minutes but, if we were in the olden days, we would be looking at a much longer travel time.

Lord willing, this coming Tuesday, we will board a plane and travel to Chicago, then on to Westmont, IL, to spend Thanksgiving with my youngest brother and family, as well as my parents. A trip of 483 miles, which would take about 9-10 hours by car, will be over in less than two hours!!! Thank You, Lord, for air travel!!

We are blessed to be able to own vehicles today which allow us to go from place to place as we desire. But, one day in the very near future, all modern day transportation as we know it will stop, and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will rise to meet Him in the air.. to forever be with Him in heaven! We won't need a car, bus, train, or airplane then!

Louis Armstrong wrote this song, and it has been sung in many church services during my life:

This Train

by Louis Armstrong

This train is bound for glory, this train

This train is bound for glory, this train

This train is bound for glory,

Don't ride nothin' but the righteous an' the holy

This train is bound for glory, this train

Enjoy the vehicle you drive or ride in to church today, and give God thanks for modern transportation. Above all else, enjoy the journey with Him today. Lord willing, I'll be back tomorrow with another spoonful!