Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for our weekly dose of public thanksgiving, otherwise known as Thankful Thursday!

This week I am thankful for so many things...

** Tim got the first dose of Moderna and seems to be doing okay except for his shoulder being sore at the injection site.

** Oh yes, always for another day. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so every new chance to enjoy this life and get it right is a blessing.

** For the feel of the small, warm body of a grandchild snuggled into my side, perfectly content and trusting that all is right in their world because Nanny's got them.

** Knowing that God is always one step (or several) ahead of me and He already has blessings in the works that I haven't even thought to ask for yet.

** Mom is doing really great with her rehab. She's walking around more and getting out to go places other than just rehab.

** Walgreen's had extra doses of the vaccine last Thursday and called Mom to see if she wanted to come get one. She very much did because of my stepdad's health and age. It was timed perfectly that she was cleared to go out for short periods that same morning.

** Isn't that the truth? So many people who are miserable and hurting and taking it out on those around them. So lost and without hope. Without God and so sure they have all the answers. Or thinking because they know God they have all the answers.

** It really is a great day to be alive!

** Mom and John finally took their dog home! She's a sweet pup, but one who never stops barking. Seriously. All. Day. Long. I've a new appreciation for the idea that silence is golden.

** I know that while I am not rich or even well-to-do by American standards, I have so much more than the vast majority of people in the world.

** I am thankful for each moment I am given, each little thing that comes my way, each person...because I know that in the very next breath life could change. I've seen too many examples of that in the last year.

** The more I get to know my biological father, the more I am thankful that things worked out the way they did. I still consider getting to know him now a true gift and blessing that I never thought I'd have, but I am glad he didn't have a hand in raising me. His view of the world and his beliefs would probably have greatly shaped me. Meeting him now, as a more matured Christian, I am able to stand against his influence. I believe God protected me from that.

As an aside, please pray for my father. Pray that the Holy Spirit would go to him and prepare his mind and heart to be receptive. I am mailing a letter to him today and sending two books along. One is just for enjoyment. The other is Lee Strobel's "The Case for a Creator." My father has a deep love and affinity for nature and trusts and believes in science. I am hoping he will read the book and that the science will reach him.

** My Bible study teacher and her husband have allergies, not Covid.

** Even though our weather has gone back to "normal"...with gray skies, rain, and cooler temperatures in the 50s (only in the 40s today and tomorrow!)...that week of sunny, 70+ days has everything growing, sprouting, and blooming. I wake up every morning to the birds singing their greeting to the day.

** This is my goal. To be able to give thanks to the Lord in every situation. To be able to find the blessing in the heartache. I'm not perfect at it, but I am way better at it than I used to be. And let me tell you, what a difference it makes!

** And last, but certainly not least...

By God's Grace

Today I thought I would share the day's reading from the devotional book, In God We Still Trust by Dr. Richard G. Lee. It is very timely.

 By God's Grace

Today's Verse: "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." --Joshua 1:9

As one year draws to a close and the beginning of another fast approaches, we do well to remember the goodness and faithfulness that God has blessed us with throughout this past year...

It is also encouraging to look back and see how our faithful God has graciously blessed and protected our nation. Hear these statements from some leaders of our young nation:

This nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. --Patrick Henry

We recognize no Sovereign but God, no king but Jesus. --John Adams and John Hancock

God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their basis? --Thomas Jefferson

To the distinguished character of patriot it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. --George Washington

May we honor God as well as our Founding Fathers by strengthening our nation according to these truths our wise forefathers set forth more than two hundred years ago.

Patriot's Prayer

You are King of kings, Sovereign and eternal, God of grace, and it is only by Your grace that this nation has lasted for more than two centuries. Use me to help recover America's commitment to You and Your ways.

Patriot's Promise

"You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. --Psalm 86:15

American History

A while ago I borrowed  a devotional that I had bought for Tim and started reading it every morning in addition to my regular Bible studies. It's call In God We Still Trust and it was written by Dr. Richard G. Lee. I have been enjoying the history and true story of what the Founding Fathers and other patriots and leaders throughout our nation's history really thought and intended. 

It's been very timely this year and encouraging as I hear more and more people pronouncing we are not a Christian nation, that separation of church and state means no religious influence in the government. I've always known that wasn't so, but it's awesome to have facts and quotes from those men that prove it.

Today's was such an eye-opener for me, a bit of history I never knew before. I thought I'd share it with you.

Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. - Hebrews 10:25

On December 4, 1800, Congress approved the use of the Capitol building for religious services, and this practice lasted until well after the Civil War and Reconstruction. Even after dozens of churches were established in the city, religious services continued at the Capitol.

Thomas Jefferson, who recommended "a wall of separation between church and state" attended church services in the House of Representatives. Throughout his presidency (1801-1809), he permitted voluntary and nondiscriminatory church services in executive branch buildings. (Preachers from every Protestant denomination appeared, and Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) Apparently, Jefferson's concern for "separation" meant he opposed an official state-sponsored church, rather than excluding religion from government.

Jefferson's successor, James Madison, also attended church at the Capitol, as did many more presidents through Abraham Lincoln. It was also common for many members of Congress to attend those services, and often the floor of the House was filled. From 1807 to 1857, interdenominational services--overseen by chaplains appointed by the House and Senate--were held in what is now Statuary Hall.

In addition to this service, several individual churches met in the Capital each week for their own services. Church services were also held in the Supreme Court Chamber as well as the Senate Chamber. 

That sure doesn't sound like those early leaders wanted to keep religion out of the government to me. I do love that Jefferson, whose quote about separation is much quoted by the left, supported and participated in the practice of holding church at the Capitol. It leaves no doubt of what he really meant. 

There are so many good quotes in this little devotional and bits of history that I've not heard before. I think that I will be sharing more of them in the future.

Lord, forgive us our ignorance. This nation was indeed founded on Christian principles and our forefathers never intended for You to be removed. You were as much a part of their lives as breathing. Help us to remember the foundation they laid. Open the eyes and hearts of the deceived and help those of us who believe to lead a revival in the land. Let us humble ourselves before You and repent of our neglect and laziness. Have mercy on us, Lord.

 

 

Hanging Around in God's Love

Here I am...and there you are. We're all waiting on me to post something on this first day of "Blogtober" and take the first step on my journey back to old-school blogging. Um, the blank page is a lot more intimidating than I remember it. I haven't used my writing muscle in a while so, be patient with me. It may take a while to get it back in shape.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited. Very excited, actually, about not only this change in blogging but also this season and this time in my life. Even though we've been in kind of a holding pattern for most of this year, I'm feeling like I'm on the edge of something. I can't quite see what it's going to be yet, but it's there...kind of fuzzy and in the distance.

I think a big part of my feeling this way is due to my word for the year. Abide. The Lord gave it to me in John 15:9, 10.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. 

Merriam-Webster defines "abide" as: to bear patiently, to endure without yielding, to wait for, to accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place.

Synonyms include: dwell, hang around, remain, stay, tarry, persist.

To my shame, at the beginning of this year I could not honestly say I was abiding in Jesus's love when faced with that definition. Work had done much to frazzle me and tire me and pull me away from the Lord. I knew it. I just didn't seem to have it in me to do anything about it.

Enter Covid-19 and my quitting my job the day before my state went into a total shutdown. At first, with my husband home, too, it felt like a big old party. We had a lot of fun just hanging out together, watching a lot of Netflix, doing projects around the house, and shaking our heads over what was happening. Then the reality hit home as he was able to return to work after being off just one month, but for the rest of us it dragged on until summer. Even now, nearly 7 months after the shutdown, life is still not back to normal and doesn't show signs of being in any hurry to get there.

When I quit my job the economy was booming and I thought I'd be able to waltz right into another job, one with hours and duties I wanted, without too much trouble. Ha! I sure never imagined I'd still be sitting at home all these months later.

But the truth is, these months have turned out to be a gift for which I am most thankful. I have worked my way through three complete Bible studies on my own, learned a great deal about prayer, faith, and the Holy Spirit, and have gotten into the habit of giving the first 2 hours (sometimes more) of my day to the Lord. In short, I have been learning to abide in His love. To tarry there, to hangout there, to persist in it, and to dwell in it. My relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is stronger than it's ever been. My soul is at peace in this upside-down world and my heart is full of joy. I am in awe of how the Lord works even the darkest of times for the good of His children.

This lifting of spirit has also worked into the things of this world. I've signed up for and will begin a certificate course in medical office assisting just as soon as the materials arrive in the mail. I'm hoping to add enough extra skills to land the type of job I want. Who knows...maybe it will lead to moving on to a degree? 

A couple of people have given me funny looks about going to school at my age, 56, but I always remember a letter to Dear Abby from back in the 70's or 80's. A woman, who was in her late 50's or early 60's wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. Her family was giving her all kinds of grief and telling her it was stupid because by the time she was finished with school, her residency and everything that was required, she'd be close to 80. Dear Abby's response was, "And how old will you be if you don't go to school? Go to school. Do what you enjoy. Follow your dream." I was just a kid when I read that but I have never forgotten it.

Well, would you look at that? We've made it through day one of Blogtober.

Things to be thankful for:

1. Blogging from the heart.

2. Unexpected blessings.

3. The faithfulness of God.

4. Beautiful fall weather.

5. Favor. Yesterday at the Salvation Army store I found a long Anne Klein black, wool coat. For $24.99! It is in perfect condition. 

6. The blessing of so much time to spend with my 2 youngest grandchildren.

7. Peace in uncertain times.

8. Excitement about life and what it holds.

9. Deepening faith and abiding love.

10. No matter what, God's in control.

 

Easter Sunday Stealing

Good morning and a blessed Easter to you! I imagine we will all have time for the Sunday Stealing questions at some point today since Easter is not what it usually is this year. It's not what it usually is, but it still is. As I shared a couple of days ago...

Bev has found us some more questions about the pandemic we are experiencing. It will be interesting to learn more about how we all are handling things.

COVID 19 Questions from SwapBot

1 – What is something you are doing due to the pandemic that you normally don’t do? After the pandemic will you continue to so this?  I think what we are doing a lot more of is cooking and eating at home. We did a lot of eating out or getting take-out before all of this. I doubt we will stay at this level of cooking at home when we are allowed out again, but we will probably do more of it than we had been.

2 - What made you happy, sad, or frustrated today? List, all big and/or small, as there may be some of one or all of these feelings!  I really can't put my finger on anything that caused it, but I was in a funk most of yesterday. I finally took the dog out for a walk in the evening and the fresh air seemed to make me feel better. I suppose it's just the idea of not being able to go anywhere, not seeing anyone, and my poor hubby being here. all. the. time. It just got to me.

3- What is one of the first things you will do when the pandemic is over?  You all know I'm a thrift store junkie and everyone has been cleaning out their homes during this little adventure of ours, so I'm going to the thrift stores. There's going to be a lot of good stuff!

4 – Are you an essential employee or do you know someone who is? Is this affecting you in some way?  Well, I would have been an essential employee had I not quit my job at the nursing home the day the stay-at-home order went into effect. I do know lots of people who are essential workers, but none in my immediate family. No, it isn't really affecting me, but I am really thankful for those who  continue to work.

5 – What are you doing to destress during this stressful time?  Since Tim finished the bathroom, the new shower is doing a great job of that. It has this amazing shower head and three extra jets on the wall. I could stand under it all day.

6 – Have you tried any new recipes during this time? Please share your recipe if you want to.  It's not really a recipe, but I'm going to try doing a leg of lamb in the crock pot today. I read that the meat has a milder flavor and is much more tender if slow cooked.

7 – Have you always lived where you do now? If not, how did you wind up in the place you currently live?  I haven't always lived here, but we've been here for 26 years and we're next to my mom who still lives in my adopted dad's childhood home. Tim and I moved around a bit when we were first married and Mom and Dad moved a lot before we landed here, but I have been here more than anywhere else in my life.

8- Where is the last place you visited on-line?  Facebook

9- What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you?  That I am a good/kind person.

10 – Tell me about the last photo on your camera (phone or real camera or both!)  It's a different photo from the one above of the new bathroom.

Hoping you all have a happy, healthy and blessed Easter!

We Wait

Holy Saturday.  The Bible is pretty quiet about what went on between the crucifixion and the resurrection.  It's a day when we are traditionally silent....like the whole world is holding its breath.

I've always imagined there is more to the story.  The Bible tells us that when Jesus died the sky grew dark, a great earthquake shook the land and opened the tombs, thus freeing the bodies of the holy ones who had gone before to walk the earth again. If that wasn't scary enough, the temple curtain....the curtain that closed off the Holy of Holies....the curtain no one but the high priest went behind (and him only once a year while tied to a rope so his body could be pulled out if he made a mistake in there)....THAT curtain was torn from top to bottom.

Can you imagine the terror and confusion that must have been going on?  Huge crowds running in the streets, screaming in fear.....what would be the reaction to meeting someone on the street you recognized and knew to be long dead?  Did people hide....trying to escape the wrath of God?  What did they think when the Holy of Holies was opened and exposed?  Did they cower in fear?  Did they run away?

I would think that the people were still talking about it the next day.  They would have been like us, comparing stories, wanting more details, wondering how to make sense of it, would it happen again, why did it happen, had God turned his back on them?  So many questions.  It would have been big news.  Everyone would have been talking about it.  And what about those people raised from the dead?  You couldn't just ignore them walking around.

We know the chief priests and Pharisees were afraid.  They asked Pilate to secure the tomb to make sure Jesus's body remained inside.  They still didn't believe him to be the Messiah, but they were afraid the disciples would steal his body and claim that he rose from the dead.  So, a seal was put on the stone covering the tomb and a guard was posted.

That is where Saturday ends.  The world seems poised on the edge of its seat, breath held.....what will come next?

And now, while we wait...

Join in the fun here.

Saturday 9: The Easter Bunny Bop (2015)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song encourages little ones to celebrate Easter by doing a little dance. Do you feel like dancing this morning?  Not really. Inertia seems to be a side effect of this sheltering at home business.

2) Everyone in this video is wearing bunny ears. Target, Amazon and other retailers sell bunny ear headbands sized for adults and priced at about $5. Will you be wearing bunny ears, or perhaps a more conventional chapeau, this weekend? Or, because of the corona virus, will your Easter attire be the same as any other day?  Chances are I'll be wearing the usual virus attire of leggings and a tunic, but if it's nice and we go outside to watch the local grandkids hunt Easter eggs, I might break out my bunny ears.

3) This week's featured artists, The Bounce Patrol Kids, are a children's entertainment juggernaut: CDs, DVDs, downloads, and t-shirts. Additionally, they often update their YouTube channel because they want children the world over to have access to their upbeat, energetic songs for free. Besides the Bounce Patrol, what's the last YouTube video you watched?  The one up above by Keith Green.

4) According to Forbes magazine, the average American household spends $20.66 on candy each Easter. Will you be consuming candy this weekend? Bahahaha! We've been consuming candy all week.

5) The biggest chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy, measured 34 feet tall and weighed a staggering 15,000 lbs. Do you thinks it's possible to have too much chocolate?  It would have to be a lot of chocolate. I mean a LOT, but yeah, it's probably possible. Not that I've reached that point yet.
 

6) After chocolate, the top-selling Easter candy is Peeps Marshmallow Chicks. They're so popular that, in 2018, they were the subject of a Jeopardy clue. Do you often watch Jeopardy?  No. My husband usually has some sitcom rerun on at that time.

7) Jelly beans are also popular this time of year. In a 2019 poll, jelly bean fans responded that Jelly Belly Buttered Popcorn is their favorite flavor. Sam is crazy about cherry. Do you have a favorite?  In regular jelly beans I like orange the best. If we're talking Jelly Belly's I love the pear ones.

8) We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween?  Probably at Halloween because it's open and on hand for the the little ghouls that come to the door. At Easter I usually only buy what I'm putting in the baskets and maybe one other thing to put out on Easter Sunday when we're all together. This year was an exception. I've been keeping a bowl of M & M's stocked and also a dish with assorted "fun" sized candies.

9) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?  A good night's sleep, getting my hair done, exercise, a beautiful day, time with friends...I guess lots of things is my answer.

If it turns out there is no Sunday Stealing tomorrow

or if I just don't get around to it

or you don't get around to it,

I wish you all a blessed and healthy Easter!

Good Friday

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge.  He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  The rest said, "Now leave him alone.  Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom.  The earth shook and rocks split.  The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:45-54

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  Luke 23:34

Don't Focus on the Storm

My excitement over finally having the tile in the bathroom done...

...or nearly done, the guys still have to come back and do a final cleaning and seal the tile after the grout dries (Saturday or Sunday)...

is really being tempered by the craziness of the world right now.  A ticker now scrolls across the bottom of the screen at all times to notify watchers of all things cancelled, postponed, or changed due to the Covid-19 virus. Stores are limiting purchases of non-existent goods that have been unavailable for nearly two weeks already. Schools are closing. All sporting events are cancelled or on hold. Churches are officially saying it's okay to stay home and communion is not being given.

Let me put this in some perspective. In Allegheny County, in which Pittsburgh is located, there are zero cases of Covid-19. However, there have been 3 more deaths from the flu (there have been over 100 during the season) and new cases of flu continue to be diagnosed at the rate of about 800 per week (there are only 22 cases of C-19 diagnosed in the entire state of Pennsylvania). Um...so why was there no panic over the flu? It has been more fatal this season than C-19 has been to this point. 

To be sure there are people who are more at risk, there are people who are more vulnerable with ANY infection, but with common sense measures C-19 does not have to be any more deadly than anything else. This is not something on the level of Ebola or the Black Plague.

A little food for thought...

But the bottom line is this, it doesn't matter what happens...there is hope, there is strength, there is peace and it is found in the same One who calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee over 2000 years ago. God is always in control. He may choose to allow the consequences of our choices, but he is always there to give us strength to get through it. He is always the hope before us. When this life bows your back, allow it to drop you to your knees, and then look up and talk to God who is waiting to hear from you. Focus on Him and not on the storm.