Paraphrase and Painting by DiVoran Lites
Day 29
Bloom
Colossians 2:6-7
Beloved,
The Spirit of Jesus lives in you and wants to help you.
Move ahead with Him
Whether you feel like it or not.
Let your faith spill over into thanksgiving.
Let my word bloom in your heart
It will pour out of you like the fragrance of flowers.
And all will be well.
SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
Back to more random memories of New Mexico.
Iāve never really been that interested in snow skiing. Iāve always enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics and all the events involving snow – skiing, snowboarding, etc. I admire those who enjoy it….but itās just not for me.
Part of the reason is that it was always a more expensive sport than I had the money to participate in. And Iām not really very much of a dare-devil, so all that downhill skiing – straight down a mountain!! – left my stomach in knots just thinking about it!
But New Mexico was put on the map with all the advertisements about snow skiing in Taos.
Credit Google Search and Powderhounds
That was just the āplace to beā if you wanted to ski. But in spite of that, I had heard many people say that, the best kept secret was that the skiing in the mountains outside Albuquerque were some of the very best!!
Fred and I recently went on a two-week driving trip, and in one of the spots where we stayed, I picked up a magazine called Ski New Mexico True. In looking through this magazine, I see that those who create the magazine have listed nearly every skiing resort in the state. The pictures are gorgeous! And they make it very inviting – to those who enjoy that sport. They mention Taos Ski Valley. Also Angel Fire Resort, Red River,
Credit Google Search and Red River
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, Sipapu Ski Resort, Ski Apache, Ruidoso,
Credit Google Search
Ski Santa Fe,
Credit Google Search and Kyle Webb
and finally….Sandia Peak in Albuquerque.
Credit Google Search
They list a lot of both summer and winter events to tweak ones interest. I found it to be a most interesting magazine.
Unfortunately, one of the main reasons I never got into snow skiing was not a happy one. When I was in my young teens, I was in the process of preparing my mouth/teeth to have braces to straighten out my teeth. In order to do so, I needed to have four of my permanent teeth removed. In case youāve ever ācountedā your teeth, you have four āsetsā of bicuspid teeth – two on each side, top and bottom. They are the smaller teeth right behind your canine teeth, but before you get to the molars. Well, one of each āsetā had to come out, to make room for all the teeth to line up properly.
There was a new dentist in town – probably fresh out of dental school. He was what I would call a ādreamboatā back in that day, and, of course, I was madly in love with him! And that happened even if he was hurting me by pulling out those teeth!
Teeth were all pulled…and I was healing well enough to start having the braces applied to my teeth. Mother told me that this wonderful dentist had gone skiing one weekend, but had fallen and broken his leg. Ouch! That hurt! As it turned out, the day before he was to be released from the hospital, he developed a blood clot in his leg that traveled to his heart – and he died!!
As you might imagine – my first thought was….IāM NEVER GOING SKIING!! And I never did.
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
(May 05, 2017)
I canāt believe hubby had the nerve to do what he did! He sat amongĀ executives around a large conference table for their weekly meeting. They all took turns sharing a bit of news about their life and family.
āWell,ā hubby said, āthis weekend Janet and I split up.ā
Gasps spread around the room. They all know weāve been happily married over 40 years.
Then he followed by saying: āYep, I went to California, she went to Titusville and we both came home on Sunday.ā
Funny guy, isnāt he?
But whether a joke or not, separation is devastating. I know firsthand. Years ago, sorrow had separated me from God. My sudden blindness at age 30 and the death of my youngest son pushed me far away from Him.
Drained by my heartache, I didnāt sense Him near. I didnāt hear His comfort orĀ even felt that He cared.
Have you been there? Although our mind wants to believe, our heart refuses. And though we know God exists, His comfort seems distant.
What joy to write this for you. My fingers are dancing on the keyboard as a result of the peace that fills my soul. Hereās the reason: Jesus said:Ā āI am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.ā (John 15:5)
He had His place. And I had mine. He claimed His role and named mine, too. When my foolish notion of finding answers on my own faded, peace came back, joy was born and freedom from sorrow swept through.
Father, I praise you because we donāt have to face this life alone. Thank you for promising weāll bear fruit, find refuge, have a new beginning, and live with victory united with you. In Jesusā name, amen.
What are you trying to accomplish on your own?
Janet
Source: When God seems so far away. ~ Janet Perez Eckles
From the Heart
Louise Gibson
Somewhere there’s a place for me-
A place I have a need to be.
A new plateau, a goal to meet-
Purpose, direction, without defeat.
Oh God, give me strength
to greet each day-
with a cheerful countenance.
Don’t let me sway.
Please let me focus
on the issues of life
That bring joy to others,
that relieve their strife.
To have victory over
the enemy called “Fear”-
The energy and stamina
to persevere!
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Yesterday we visited with friends in Anderson, South Carolina. That is like going to the big city for those of us living in the mountains. We did some shopping together and had lunch in a wonderful restaurant specializing in Southern home cooking, Mama Penn’s. Mama P runs a daily meat and three special. For those not from the south, that means a meat and three vegetables. Mama Penn allows one to choose a dessert in the place of a veggie. In the south we love our veggies and we want our cake too. Hubby chose the German Chocolate cake and he is still raving about how good it was.
If you happen to be in Anderson, be sure to visit Mama Penn’s. She even gives you a cup of sweet tea to go.
Love that they share a Bible verse on the cup!
Do you have a favorite restaurant that serves the food you grew up loving to eat?
A Time to Live
Melody Hendrix
Painting and Paraphrase by DiVoran Lites
Day 28
Wisdom
Matthew 10:16
Beloved,
Be glad and serene when tempest clouds form.
I always bless in the eye of the storm. D. L.
Because you gave your heart and soul to Me
Through the redemption of Jesus Christ,
You are My true child.
Fly with the joy I impart to you.
Donāt allow the worry-bird to make a nest in your hair.
I want you to be as wise as serpents,
As gentle as doves.
Simplify according to my directions.
Instead of living in the next moment or a past one,
Delight in Me now. Put your mind on whatever you are doing
Let Me give you grace and bathe you in love.
SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
Ā
Ā
Tomorrow is Memorial Day 2017.
Credit Google Search and Time Magazine
I know Iāve mentioned before that I am fiercely patriotic about my country. Iāve had the great privilege of being born and growing up in the United States of America.Ā Ā Iāve also had the privilege of living in another country. It was such a lesson to see how other countries view the U.S.
My brother, Bill, enlisted in the Navy right out of high school. I remember a time when he was shipped overseas, and I became afraid for him. But he came home, safe and sound.
And then I met the man who would become my husband – and the love of my life. Fredās father was a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. And even though I became more interested in the military at that point – because of Fredās Dad – it wasnāt until Fred joined the U.S. Air Force himself that my interest became intense. I had not ever really envisioned what military life was all about.
Iāve seen advertisements for t-shirts that state that the military person was one who, at some point in their lives, signed a blank check to the U.S. Government, up to and including their lives.
And that brings us to Memorial Day. Iāve not had a family member die in battle. My heart cries for those who have had that happen. But I do have a family history of military service.
My Dad – I didnāt know for quite a few years, that my Dad served with the U.S. Army in World War 1. He was in the medical corps, and served in France.
My brother served in the U.S. Navy – active duty for four years, then more in the reserves. He was stationed on board ships in the Mediterranean and in Japan.
Bill Lites
My husband served for over 22 years in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorologist. He served in six states and twice in West Germany.
My father-in-law served in the U.S. Army – later in the U.S. Air Force – for over 28 years as a Chaplain. He served all over the world. In 1943 he was wounded in the invasion of Sicily, by shrapnel from a German mortar. He carried the quarter-size piece of shrapnel in his body, too near his heart to be removed, for over 66 years.
My brother-in-law – Fredās brother – served in the U.S. Air Force as a Chaplain for 20 years.
All-in-all, that adds up to nearly 80 years of service to this country by my family members. And it was all done voluntarily.
All of these men are veterans. And that marks the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives defending this country. They are the ones who, when they signed that blank check to the U.S. Government, actually gave up their lives for freedom.
And thatās the crux of this:Ā Ā it is our military that has given us our freedom – not the politicians in Washington D.C. As a matter of fact, I think that service in our nationās military should be a prerequisite for holding government office.
I would like to honor the memory of all those who have died for the cause of freedom. Outside of the cause for Christ….there is no other greater.
Credit Google Search and clipart panda
May GodĀ šŗšø bless America!
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
May 26, 2017
Memorial Day is what sparks not only memories of those who died in wars, but remembering special moments in life. A while back, my friend and I entered a hotelās conference room, eager to receive nuggets of wisdom from each speaker. A loud buzz filled the room.
The special part for me was that Cecil Murphy was teaching the sessionsāthe illustrious author of over 100 books, including āNinety Minutes in Heavenā which has been on the New York Times bestselling list for 130 weeks and has been translated into 37 languages.
I settled in my seat, anticipating the wisdom heād pour out. And he did.
Once the first portion ended, I chatted with other writers, catching up. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice to my left. āExcuse me,ā he said. āI just want to say hi.ā
He took me by the arm, and gave me a big hug.
My delight turned to awe. It was Cecil Murphy! His warm gesture left me touched and ever so grateful. Yes, THE Cecil Murphy, the famous author actually remembered me after we first met five years ago!
Why do we have that reaction when someone of a great stature extends kindness toward us? Could it be we feel weāre unworthy or undeserving?
Okay, time to admit it. Iāll be the first. We often have that same notion when it comes to a connection with Jesus. We fall into that false idea that Jesus, the Lord of our lives, the King of kings might not be interested in lilā olā me down here.
And with sentiments of unworthiness, we rationalize: His divine and awe-inspiring presence couldnāt be real. At least not really enough for me to have personal contact with Him.
How wrong we can be. What He wants is to know Him enough to feel comfortable to call upon Him. He so longs for us to whisper any need, any doubt, any insecurity. Heās not way out there in the universe somewhere; Heās right by us, watching our tears, hearing our sobs, reading our longings, and so, so very aware of our pain.
Personalizing this verse just a bit: āYou, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted (like the person reading this right now); you encourage them, and you listen to their cryā (Psalm 10:17 [NIV]).
Father, help me to let go feelings of unworthiness, for you make me worthyāwith your unending love, your constant nurturing, and your trustworthy reassurance. In Jesusā name, amen.
How close do you feel to Jesus right now?
Janet
Source: How to feel worthy. ~ Janet Perez Eckles
From the Heart
Louise Gibson
My kitchen window overlooks my patio.
It affords me an excellent view.
I observe the antics of my animal friends
while cooking, perhaps a stew.
My window wonders this week
have become a bit disturbing.
What used to be a heartwarming scene
has become very disconcerting.
I have a most unusual guest
who really is quite rude.
He appears uninvited at meal time
and devours all the food.
Lord, I need your help-
I really don’t want to be mean.
But that cute raccoon is gaining weight,
while my cats are looking lean.
I said he is cute because
his habits are disarming-
He picks up his food with his “hands”-
I must confess he is charming!
I take out fresh water for my cats,
but our visitor is quite pristine!
You see, he “washes” his food in it-
He is the original “Mr. Clean”.
And Lord, you see the other problem, too, I know-
How he trashes up my patio?
I get so tired of using my broom,
I moved the garbage can to the utility room.
Lord, I have a question, please-
“Was this your plan from the start,
to put me “under pressure”
to tenderize my heart?”
Old Things R New 