Memorial Day, World

Today is the day we honor our fallen soldiers. Thank you, American service men and women, and families, for your sacrifices. I’m proud to be an American! I’m thankful for the freedom I have as an American woman. Even more, I’m hopeful with all my heart, that one day, the world will celebrate a day when all weapons of destruction were laid down, never to be picked up again. God bless the fallen soldiers of every nation. God bless America!

Thank you, Vince Gill, for this beautiful rendition of this song. Let there be peace on earth…

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Oh, God, The Agony!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 88.

O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.

Oh, my God! The agony of suffering the consequences of my choices and actions! It’s just too much for me, Jesus! It’s just too much, I tell you! Honey, it’s not His wrath that lies heavy upon you. No, no, no-God did not put you in the deep darkness, girlfriend (talking to myself); you got there all by your little ol’ self. Yes, dear, He does work wonders for the dead! As a matter of fact, He will bring you up out of that pit, just as soon as you get of your pity pot. And, yes, when you’ve departed from your way, you will rise up to praise Him. Absolutely, His love is declared in the grave, and his faithfulness in Abaddon-that’s why the demons tremble when you speak His Name! Having seen His wonders in some of my darknesses, I can tell you, YES, they are seen there. And yes, His righteousness does come through in the land of forgetfulness, which is where some of us spend a lot of time…you know, like the kids…”I forgot,” they say, when they know darn well they just did that “no-no” anyway! God will never cast your soul away, until the very absolute last second; and then it will be because you refused Him. He will never refuse you when you come to Him! Let me tell you, those dreadful assaults are your conscience and your karma. “God is not mocked; we reap what we sow.” The reason God allows those things to surround you like a flood, is so that, like Peter, you will cry out, “Save me, LORD/Lord!”

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Saturday Silly – May 29, 2021

Well, I have an update on my recovery from that attack. They said the stress caused me to develop Shingles, in my eye, and on the inside of my head, -Yes, you can get Internal Shingles. Sure, why not me, Lord? LOL

Anyway, I also had to see an ophthalmologist to make sure it cleared up, didn’t damage my eye. Everything is fine, I’m happy to report. One more day on the drops and I should be good to go. That trip to the eye doctor was an adventure. They dilate your eyes for the exam, and afterward, you’re almost blind in the sunlight, and things are blurry. I had a heck of a time finding the bus stop! I wasn’t sure I’d gone the right direction; and, of course, the bus stop sign was about 13 feet off the ground, on that pole. I saw some writing on what I thought might something having to do with the bus. I couldn’t read it with my shades on, and when I took them off, it almost vanished. I got as close to the thing as I could and tried to make out the letters. That poor man! He almost shouted, “Hey, watch it lady! Back up, and get your nose out of my shirt, will ya?!” I said, “Oh, I’m so sorry; I was trying to read the bus stop sign, but I can’t see very well right now. Is this where the bus stop is?” He kind of grunted, “Yes; the bus will be here in three minutes.” I was going to tell him his shirt smelled nice, but I thought better of it.

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Then You’ll Be Established There

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 87. It speaks of a city standing, established, on God’s holy mountains. As I read the psalm, I think of growing in the knowledge of the LORD/Lord, and in my relationship with Him. It fills me with such peace and a tremendous joy inside.

“On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush — “This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” When you look at yourself in the spirit, you can see how like Zion you are. Spiritually, it’s where you and God meet; where the divine in you becomes evident, and you are secure in it. It’s you at your best, your most beautiful, most victorious…it’s you when you get it right. The glorious things spoken of you happen in Heaven, where your name is known. All that happens when you realize, accept, and embrace that all your springs are in Him. (John 4:14) “But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” I hope this blesses you as much as it does me-every time I read it.

PS Gautama Buddha said it this way: “When you know for yourselves that this is unskillful, and that skillful, this blameworthy and that blameless, this deprecated by the wise because it conduces to suffering and ill, and that praised because it conduces to well-being and happiness, when you know this, you will reject the one, and make a practice of the other.” Then, you’ll be established there.

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Through His Eyes

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 86. It’s a prayer of King David. When I read it, I think of my own childhood, and of my children. We all too often forget just how much we mean to them, and how they see us. Whenever I read this psalm, I have to thank God for my grandmother. And, when I think of my busy little self…oh, my gosh, Oma, I love you so much; and I’m so sorry I made you work so hard -and so thankful for your endless patience and love!

Verses 1-4 begin the prayer: “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” Poor and needy is a humble soul/spirit; a hungry spirit. Godly, yes! God doesn’t impute wickedness to His children. He sees the best in us! He assumes the best intentions on our part. I think of hearing that “Mama, Mama, Mama,” and later that “Mom” from the time they woke up to the time they fell asleep. LOL Their hearts are in our hands.

Verse 11 is the simple truth. “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” When I think of a united heart, I think of one that is sure of the truth, and sure of the teacher. That means there is no conflict, everything lines up. The actions prove the words.

Verses 14-16 give us a picture of doubt trying to sneak in and destroy truth and faith. Verse 17 gives us the remedy. “Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” That sign of favor is the hug when they come in the door, that “you can do it, baby,” when they’re unsure, and even that mama racing across the parking lot with fire shooting out of her eyes because Baby was just threatened. Yes, that was this mama. LOL It ended peacefully, I’m happy to say.

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Sowing & Reaping

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 85. It’s very encouraging, and hopefully, it will strengthen your faith and your commitment to God.

“LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.” These are verses 1-3 of the psalm. (ESV) This is a reminder of our salvation; of God’s love for, and toward us. Look closely. God covered ALL of our sin, and withdrew ALL of His wrath, turning from His anger. That means when you do mess up, you can go boldly to the throne of grace, confess to Him, and be, not only forgiven, but be instructed and helped to make it right. (Heb. 4:16) Is that awesome?! Yes!

Verse 5 asks the questions: “Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?” That was answered in part, in the first three verses. God does not punish the generations behind us for our sins, or for the sins of our fathers, and so on. (Deut. 26:24) There’s a promise regarding generational curses in (Jeremiah 31:29). “In those days they shall no longer say: “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’” That’s a promise that we can, and will overcome those generational curses, and all the dysfunction that comes with them, in our own generation, if we’re willing. Yay, for me and my kids, and so on, and so on!

Verses 8 & 9 are the key to making that happen. “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.”

The last four verses of the psalm show us the sowing and reaping part. “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.” When we show steadfast love, we reap faithfulness, because we’re empowering trust. “Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.” The world around us (from inner circle to community) reaps the benefits, as well. “Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. When we follow in God’s footsteps, which Jesus gave us a picture of, we’re leaving footprints for others to follow.

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Lovely, Indeed!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 84. It’s one of my favorites. I’ve posted the whole psalm for you bleow, from the ESV

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

There’s nothing you can add to this. When you read it, especially aloud, you can feel the joy and peace flooding your soul. This goes perfectly with today’s psalm. Thank you, Matt Redman.

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Saturday Silly – May 22, 2021

Happy Birthday, Bubba! Your mama sure does love ya! You make life worth living for me! I hope your day is fabulously awesome, filled with everything wonderful, tons of love and laughter, and beautiful memories! Love you so much! Mommy!

My goodness, I cannot believe I’m surviving this horrible attack ordeal! Thankfully, the E.R. team was awesome, once the clowning was done. I don’t know how they deal with some of the people that come iin there.

I was a little confused about the eye drops thing. The nurse told me to put them in every two hours when I’m awake…but she didn’t say how often I should put them in when I’m asleep.

I’m also taking a new medication for a week. When I read the side effects, I got a little fearful. “Notify your physician if you lose consciousness,” it says. “OMG!” I thought. Are they serious?! Do you know that I won’t be able to call my physician when I’m unconscious?! I took the first dose just the other night, but I don’t know if I lost consciousness or just fell asleep, cuz, it was at night, at bedtime.

I hate being a patient, I just hate it! Now I don’t know if my head hurts because of the injury, or because of all this thinking I’m having to do!

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He Makes You Want To Sing!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 81. It’s a long one, in which you can see God admonishing His people, through Asaph. Verses 1 & 2 tell us: “Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.” (BSB) He is our strength. Let me tell you, I am living proof of that. I cannot tell you how, but by God’s grace and His hand, that I made it through some of the things I’ve come through. And every time, I come away with some new treasure or two, and an even deeper trust and stronger faith in Him. And, I can’t even express how much I love Him. He makes you want to sing; right in the midst of the storm, with the wind whipping around you, and the waves trying to swamp the boat.

I hope you’ll read the whole psalm. You can see God’s heart for us.

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In Every Storm

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 79. It is also a long one, recounting a lot of things God’s people have had to suffer. I like the very last verse. “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” (ESV) Hallelujah! If you woke up today with another chance to do things a little differently, you’re blessed!

I will praise you in this storm, Jesus! I will praise you in every storm! Thank you, Casting Crowns!

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