BEWARE OR BE BEWITCHED!

 

Today is a BIG DEAL in the lives of many a young one.  Halloween brings the annual Trick or Treat ritual of going from house to house looking for "Treats"  CANDY.   Truthfully this is not my favorite holiday of the year---although I do enjoy seeing all the inventive costumes that knock at my door.  My daughter loves to laugh about some of the things I dressed her up to be---the sheep is her favorite one---she almost had a heat stroke.  HEY---NO PAIN-NO GAIN!  She was SO cute!  I see entire families out together dressed in one theme---my Mother would NEVER DARE exhibit such "juvenile behavior".  She was not a lot of fun-LOL!

We have hordes of Trick or Treaters and someone described the night as three waves to me recently.  I immediately thought of Pearl Harbor and the waves of bombers who attacked.  It can begin to feel like that with those who celebrate by knocking at my door.

The first wave is those who are really young and have a bedtime.  They begin before dark --around 5 PM.  HEY----I TOTALLY GET THIS---I was a FIRM BELIEVER in bedtime for my own children.  These little ones come in strollers, on foot-in wagons--or in Momma's arms.  Do they really give those under 1 this candy or do mom and dad eat it?  This is the cutest part of the night!

The second wave are the elementary school children and many times their parents who are also in costume. This wave begins around 7:00 PM.   MOST of the time--the adults do not ask for candy.  I have heard tales of parents in the name of safety going through the night's haul before allowing any consumption.  Some of these parents have even admitted they set aside their favorite candy bars for personal consumption.  SHAME!  Many times the adults have gotten together and enjoyed a Halloween libation before setting off to make the rounds and are enjoying the night more than the children it seems.  Another of  my favorite parts of the night--good for many laughs!

The final wave of the night is the teenagers who consider this a night of free candy and sometimes mischief.  They do not start until 9:00.  NOW---in my personal opinion---this is ridiculous.  Can't they find a parent to host a party for them--that is perfectly acceptable.  BUT to be out asking for candy--sometimes without even bothering to be in costume---well my old grouchy self is not on board.  MANY times by 9:00 the candy is long gone, the light is off and I do not answer the door.  NOW--the chance I am taking is the mischief that may then ensue.  

There have been years I have not been at home---there have been years I chose to not participate---and there have been years I handed out candy.  The night only works if some answer their door when there is a knock.  If the porch light is off---if the lights are all off---if no one is at home---or if they are refusing to answer the door---it is a lost cause.  The night is a bust---unless someone answers the door.

I KNOW you see where I am going.  One of my favorite scriptures is~

"Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

and the one who knocks,

the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8

Nothing more needs to be said---what a wonderful reassurance!

ARE YOU WILLING?

 

This is NOT what I am trying to say-

what we deserve--

I will leave for another post.

One of the most difficult lessons in life is my wrath---my indignation---my fury---my resentment for another---only hurts me.  They are either oblivious to my emotion or more than likely do not care.  All this negativity can eat you alive---from the inside out.  It can absolutely affect your physical health and what a waste of time and energy.  When we allow our differences or the pain we have experienced to rule our heads and hearts over a prolonged period of time, we become bitter.  The book I am currently reading has a character who is a stark reminder of how we allow all of that negativity  toward another  to rule our thoughts when we spend time dwelling on the offense.  

Recently I was watching a movie (I don't even remember which movie) that had a line that stuck with me ~

"Seems to me a whole lot of people are carrying around a heap of pain tied to the past."

WHOA!  When is it time to LET IT GO?  This is really the entire message about this subject---BUT I plan to die at peace with my fellow man.  Peace can only come when we are able to let our negative emotions go.  The first step to doing this is we have to be willing to let it go.  We will never be able to leave the past in the past without our willingness.   My personal experience--once I was able to tell God I was willing, but needed His help---I could not do it without Him---the process became much easier.  I might have to give it to God again---after a stumble back into old feelings---but He is faithful---He will show us how to forgive---and eventually forget.  He is the ultimate example of how it is done.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another

if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13

THE TIE THAT BINDS

   I will spend the day singing this sweet old hymn!

Not every sermon spurs me to think---just as every blog I write does not strike your fancy.  It is always in the eyes of the beholder and our perspectives.  This sermon was in a series on the making of disciples and the topic was "Community".  Community is one of those things which does not happen overnight---it takes time and effort.  I must admit, lately I have been very homesick for the community I had in Ruston.  That community was built over years and years of interaction.  Of course, it is impossible for me to have that community here in Fort Worth.  NOW---I moved here to be near family---and I do enjoy our times together---BUT both of my offspring have BUSY lives and active families.  I do not expect them to interact daily with me---their own families should and do take priority.  That gives me great joy.  BUT as the High Reverend told us---building community is an integral part of the Believer's Walk.  This time around in Fort Worth---I have not done a very good job of making the required effort.  That's on me!  What I would like to share with you today are the three points (Is it always three?) on how to build friendships within the community.

I. Speak it---there was a recent post on this very thing--refer back to October 9th if you missed it.  I spoke of my grandsons always telling me thank you and they love me when I furnish Lulu Uber rides.  It is ALWAYS my pleasure to have them with me.  Occasionally I even get to put Lulu words of wisdom on them (I am not certain they think I am wise---OLD does not equal to wise  through their young eyes).  I am thankful for each, "I Love you" that is said to me.  As the learned pastor said, "Words Matter".  If you think not, I invite you to ponder some hurtful words flung at you in the past---that never leave your head---that can scar your heart.  Perhaps our most powerful tool is our words.  If only we could remember that and use them for affirmation and not condemnation.  What a beautiful community we could grow.

2.  Show it---have your ever heard the phrase, "Words are cheap"?  NOT to discount the value of words which affirm our worth---they can fall flat or fly right over our heads if they do not sound sincere.  What gives those words real power---believability?  The actions which back them up.  Show your love to those you claim to love by acts of affirmation.  I am reading a book now that has one of the characters sending flowers to the woman he is pursuing.  He didn't just send roses---he went to the florist and put thought into what he was sending.  She immediately picked up on that by the variety of bouquets.  He was putting thought behind his gift and personally involved in the selection.  He was seeking to show her worth to him, by his attention to the details.  Telling someone you love them, without any action behind those words is not very convincing.  We convince others we love them when we show up, listen, and pay attention to the details.

3.  Sacrifice ---Give of your time, your attention, your actions. When actions are sacrificially made they are such powerful proof of your love.  When you put "Me" on the back burner and strive to serve "You"  THEN YOU UNDERSTAND LOVE!  

My hope and prayer is we all are part of community.  Iron does indeed sharpen iron and God did create us for community.  He stated in the very beginning, "It is not good for the man to be alone." Genesis 2:18

"Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up,"

I Thessalonians 5:11

THE NOSE KNOWS

 My daily walk with Hero always allows time for thought since he has to stop and smell every interesting smell  we walk by.  Some days it can be an exercise in frustration and my patience can be stretched thin.  Today----he caused me to ponder that body part---which I spend a great deal of time blowing this time of the year.  I really do not realize I have gone through a faze of LESS allergies until the real full blown season is upon me.  I am back to carrying a Kleenex everywhere I go and having to deal with occasionally forgetting to get them out of my pocket when washing clothes.  THAT IS ANNOYING!

Today as we walked and I watched him grab on to a scent and literally sniff the green off the grass, I began to think about smells and our noses.  Obviously, I cannot smell the scents Hero does with his super power of smell.  I do have a fairly sensitive sense of smell.  Nothing can send me out of a room faster than something stinky.  You have to admit---our noses garner much attention.  Think of all the nose phrases~

Nose First, Nose Dive, Up to My Nose, Keep Your Nose Clean, No Skin Off My Nose, Rub Your Nose In It, A Nose For Something, Nose In The Air, Look Down Your Nose, Nose Out of Joint, Nose To The Grindstone, On The Nose, Pay Through The Nose, Right Under Your Nose,  Lead By The Nose, Not See Beyond Your Nose, Powder Your Nose, Stick Your Nose In, Turn Up Your Nose  and on and on

Obviously we hold noses in high regard.  I come from a long line of people with BIG noses.  Does this mean we smell things better?  Does it make us more prone to nose problems?  Do we follow our nose into the room?  There was even a "nose sock" we created and gifted and re-gifted over the years.  Why we have even made an effort to measure noses to see who won the Big Nose Contest.  Obviously our noses are the center of the face---and some of you have tiny noses which are barely noticed.  I really do not understand how you get a good breath.  Others have "classic noses"----What is a classic nose anyway?  If I had my preference---I would like a nose that worked well, but did not create any problems and, preferably, was not noticed when you gazed at me.  OBVIOUSLY, I do not get my preferences----Thanks to Daddy.  We all inherited Daddy's nose.  

Then there are the smells our nose allows us to enjoy---I think of the smell after a rain shower, the beach and the ocean, a garden filled with blooms, freshly mowed grass, a pot of chili on the stove, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, cookies baking in the oven, a steak on the grill (how I miss that smell!--no red meat--cholesterol raiser), a real wood fire burning, a sweet baby's head, a dirty little boy (girls do no have the same smell), and on and on.  I can get a whiff of one of the familiar smells I associate with good memories and my mind is off to the races with reminiscing.  What a gift our noses are---what a gift to have a sense of smell---what a miracle of creation.  AND you tell me there is NO GOD---the God of Creation---the Master Architect of our world---Who gave us a beautiful gift in the Creation and the senses within us to enjoy His creation .  I AM SO THANKFUL!

"If our bodies were only an eye,

we couldn't hear a thing.

And if they were only an ear,

we couldn't smell a thing.

But God has put all parts of our body together

in the way that He decided is best."

I Corinthians 12:17-18

TRASHY PEOPLE!

 Yesterday was garbage collection day in the hood.  All of the different forms of garbage are collected on the same day each week----three bins.  It takes 3 different trucks to collect the three bins---recycle, yard waste (those things which will decompose) and plain old garbage.  Living in the big city allows this expeditious garbage collection---though it takes the entire day for everything to be picked up.    All of those years in Ruston (when I was in the city limits) there was garbage day and a different day for recycle.  SIDENOTE---MY RUSTON FRIENDS WILL FIND IT INTERESTING THAT EVEN IN A CITY THE SIZE OF FORT WORTH THERE IS THE DISCUSSION ABOUT ARE THEY REALLY RECYCLING OR JUST THROWING IT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE.  I prefer dealing with all of my garbage on the one day and not having to think of garbage again until the next week.

We have come a long way since the days of my youth.  Another story I have told you before is about having a burn barrel (old oil drum) in which we would daily burn our garbage and the ashes were collected periodically (I don't remember how often) when I was growing up.  If you recall the story, I told the possums would get into the barrel and when I would take the garbage out to burn they would snarl up at me.  This led to me throwing garbage all over the place while screaming and later being sent to pick it up.  WHERE AM I GOING?  Man has a propensity to create garbage.  At some point in the past, it occurred to the authorities who rule that the garbage brought rats and other vermin who spread disease.  It would lead to better health for the masses if the garbage was dealt with.  Thus the birth of the garbage collection system which has evolved into the description above.  I must say, we are much better at our collection system--someone finally realized we would be someday be overrun if we did not come up with a better plan.  ESPECIALLY for those items which take thousands of years to decompose.  I always feel like a better citizen when I buy something made from recycled goods!

Since the early days after creation, man has struggled with a garbage problem.  In the earliest of days everything would finally decompose since everything was made from decomposable (God made) materials.  When man became involved in the production process and man made goods were available, the garbage problem began its slow and steady increase.  Today we are faced with a huge problem--we are a consumer society now and most consumable goods seem to be disposable---to a degree.  There is a colossal industry all for the disposing of our garbage.

I am certain you see where I am headed---sin.  Sin is the definitive garbage and like today's man made goods--not often easily disposed of.  Some sin lasts generation after generation with little hope for dealing with it.  BUT GOD---He is in the BIG business of forgiveness and forgetting.  He is a virtual master at disposing of our sin--but we have to be wiling to put it in the can and stick it on the curb.  He will do the rest. 

"For I will forgive their inequity,

and I will remember their sin no more."

Jeremiah 31:34

TIME FOR A CHANGE

 I have decided I need to buy headlights for my shoes.  Hero and I began to delay our morning walks about a month ago because of the shortened daylight hours.  If we started at our usual 6---it was still dark even when we finished his morning constitutional.  It is wonderful to live in the midst of old trees which provide shade during the hot daylight hours.  BUT--the downside of that is it also keeps the sidewalks in the deep shadows of dark until the sun is finally over the tree tops.   Top that off with the cracks in the sidewalks made by the roots from the same trees and you have a morning obstacle course.  I am not as quick to recover my balance as I once was and the combination of all the above is an invitation for a fall.  We all know OLD PEOPLE should avoid falls if at all possible.  You fall and next thing you know---you have become part bionic.  

Here is my solution--and only $7.55 on Amazon Prime---problem solved!  There was a time in life when I would stumble around in the dark---chasing armadillos in the middle of the night through the woods surrounding our home with flip flops on and not think one thing about it.  At the time,  I could catch my toe on a root and be in a full out arm whirling fall and recover.  Those days are gone.  SO, I either need a light or the sun to come up earlier.

As I was thinking this over, it occurred to me that the  problem can be alleviated with the time change coming the first Sunday in November.  NOW---I am NOT a fan of changing the time twice a year---BUT let's leave it one way or the other.  What is amazing is that we can count on the sun coming up day in and day out.  We take it all for granted---come to expect it---do not even think about the possibility we should thank anyone.  So it goes with so much of life--we have faith in our expectations of many of the things which occur day in and day out.  We forget who put all this into motion and are not even not grateful, but expectant of our expectations being met.  It is time for a time change, but perhaps it is also time for a change in our attitude.  I am praying for forgiveness for my lack of gratitude and asking for help in remembering Who I should be grateful to.  

"In everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus."

I Thessalonians 5:18

THE WONDERS OF CREATION

Yesterday we talked of the lilies and how they propagate by growing additional bulbs~ which a new lily will sprout from.  These bulbs are not all connected, but instead break off to form individual plants.  Thus I will have a lily sprout up a foot from the bed of lilies---probably starting from a bulb which was inadvertently thrown by the mower or my spade.  A genius plan of nature to insure the continuation of the species.

Vail, Colorado at a Sweet Friend's Wedding

The photo above was taken in October at the peak of the Aspen turning season when attending a destination wedding.  It was quite the sight to behold!  "Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers."  We see the same thing here in the deep south in a much smaller version with crepe myrtle trees.  These trees are all connected to the primary source of one tree.  An interesting fact for you is that you can tell by the color of the turning leaf which colony they belong to.  They are not really very hardy trees (Interestingly enough--neither are crepe myrtles), but ensure the continuation of the colony by continuing to put off shoots for new trees.  You normally find them in the same area as coniferous trees as evidenced by all the green in the above photo.  They are able to survive in the cold harsh climate because their bark is photosynthetic which allows growth after the leaves have dropped (thus the light colored bark). " The colony is made up of trees with a life span of 40-150 years, but the root system is long lived--in some cases for thousands of years."  Another marvel of creation----with such a beautiful master plan for survival.  Who could ever doubt there is a Master Gardener looking at the complexity of nature.

Once again---we are shown how God created with an attention to detail.  Could we ever doubt He has a plan when we take the time to look around us and study the details?  God not only created it all---but He declared it GOOD.  It is good--until man comes along and messes it up.  Think that over today as you notice the world around you.  We were given a beautiful world to live in---and what did we do?

"It is time to destroy everyone

who has destroyed the earth."

Revelations 11:18

SPREADING OUT

 Can you tell from many of my post subjects that I spend a great deal of time outside in my yard?  I had much rather be digging in the dirt that scrubbing toilets.  Previously, I have given you the saga of transplanting rocks.  Though not completely finished---a large part of this project is finished.  The interesting thing is---I keep finding rocks down in the dirt as I dig.  And these are not native rocks--they are rocks someone bought and for some strange reason, I find them all over the yard---most buried--but some on the surface.  

New Bed of Transplanted Lilies-they will eventually have annuals in front of them and a rock border.  The rocks to the left by the fence were all "transplanted" from the yard.

The yard will be an on-going topic and project.  Any gardener will tell you---you never really finish---there is always something to do and some new project looming on the horizon.  My latest project has been organizing the lilies.  There was a huge bed of lilies beside the back patio---a variable hodge podge that had been ignored and taken on a shape of its on.  Lilies grow from bulbs and these bulbs reproduce by growing new bulbs.  They begin to spread out as the bulbs do their work of making more lilies.  Most of the time the beds become thicker as new lilies emerge, but those bulbs will also begin to grow new lilies quite a distance from the bed.  How do those bulbs get so far away from the original bed?  My guess is a bulb gets cut in half by a mower or a spade and is dropped  away from the bed.  If the soil is conducive to lily growth--before you know it they are springing out of the ground.  They are spreading the beauty of the lily out of the confines of where you wanted them growing.  I have a yardman who helped me recently transplant those lilies into a uniform bed.  The question becomes--how long will they stay within the confines of the bed?  When will a lily show up in the middle of the grass?  Invariably it will happen.

As I thought this over, I realized Mother Nature was the original missionary.  We will cover this one more time tomorrow, but did God not teach us through nature how to spread out and multiply?  When I think of those bulbs producing new bulbs, I am reminded of the great commission.  Go forth and spread the Good Word as we are instructed in Matthew.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,"

Matthew 26:19

BETRAYED

 When it rains--it pours----just ask all those who were in the path of Hurricane Helene.  Recently I discussed my battle with stress related anxiety which has led to a low level of depression.  NOW---as I stated---I know what to do about this nagging depression.  After a life time of combating this mental malady successfully, I know if I pick up my time spent exercising it is a sure fire cure.  SO, I have begun adding to the mileage of my daily walk.  Hero is only good for 1 to 1 1/2 mile---and some of that requires me carrying him.  (Thus my right side of my upper body is much stronger than my left since I always carry him on my right side).  This requires me dropping him off at home, and of course giving him his treat for doing all his business, before continuing my walk.  (SIDE NOTE---what if there were a treat jar outside of all bathrooms and you could take a treat after a successful trip to said bathroom?  It would be like the sucker after the visit to the doctor---a reward for your successful trip. WELL, as a matter of fact, I am fairly certain my grands were rewarded during potty training.  Sadly we grow up and the reward fairy goes away.  What's fair about that!)  SORRY for the merry go round of thoughts--it's Friday and I am a little weary after a busy week which can lead to a hodge podge of thoughts.

BACK TO THE SUBJECT--this increase in mileage went smoothly the first increase, but then I added another half mile this week.  As the week has progressed, my legs have rebelled and are causing me a great deal of grief.  My body has betrayed me!  Always in the past, when picking up the steam on exercising I might become sore, but it was always doable.  This week, by last night (Thursday) I had out my friend~

BOTH LEGS are not sore, but actually hurting.  One leg---it seems to be my IT band and the other it seems to radiate from my knee.  I strongly suspect my recovery time after exercise has not been long enough and MOSTLY, my parts are wearing out.  We are told--Don't Stop Moving---what we are not told is do not even slow down.  Without going into all that has happened in the last decade and a half---suffice it to say I slowed down my exercise regime and now I am paying the price.  Shoulda-Woulda--Coulda has me in pain and struggling.  The question becomes---has my body betrayed me---or have I betrayed my body?  The chicken and egg question in another form.  My conclusion--anything really worth doing--be it physical or mental or emotional or spiritual---is always worth doing and should not be ignored.  By systematically cutting back on exercise--no matter what the reason---I betrayed my body.  

The question becomes---have I betrayed other areas of importance to live my best life?  I will leave this question on the table and hope you will think it over today and realize--it is never too late to make a change.  He is faithful---are we?

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail,

for when he has stood the test

he will receive the crown of life,

which God has promised

to those who love Him."

James 1:12

CROWN ME

My latest television series I am watching from start to finish is "The Crown."  My kind of show---history---with a bit of fiction since the exact words spoken are not always accurate.  Speaking of dysfunctional--this family has all their crazies on public display.  NEVER envy people in the public spotlight!  It is difficult enough to deal with personal dysfunction without having it scrutinized by every Tom, Dick & Harry who might care enough to comment.  The media is right smack dab in the middle of their lives---and what is not openly revealed is fair game for supposition.   The royal family---if you care enough to watch and even start to think about it---are a royal soap opera.  

One thing which has struck me in a positive manner was The Queen's portrayal as a praying monarch.  She is shown over and over on her knees by her bed praying.  As the British monarch she was charged with being The Head of the Church of England, a role she took very seriously as The Defender of the Faith.   This is directly and indirectly referred to over and over in the series.  With all her faults, no one every denied her deep faith.  I will refrain from discussing her successor, but watch the series--it is eye opening.  

This causes me to consider the examples given in The Word over and over of those rulers who worshipped and obeyed a Holy God and those who did not.  Over and over---God shows favor to those who worship Him and disfavor and even judgement to those who defy Him.  Do we consider a person's faith when deciding who we will vote for-the person who we allow to lead us?  Is it a point of integrity when one has a deep faith?   I will leave you to ponder this with no further comment.

"When crooks are in control,

everyone tries to hide,

but when they lose power,

good people are everywhere."

Proverbs 28:28 CEV

THE WAITING GAME

Recently I heard a phrase that struck a note--no an entire chord  with me-

                              

                                             "So Much of Life Is About Waiting"

Do you dare to sit and think this over?  When I did, I remembered time after time when I was playing the waiting game.  Why do you think we have calendars?  In my mind it is so we can keep up with all those future dates we are waiting for.  How many times have I put something off---waiting for some event to occur before launching that project?  Why waiting is such an important concept that we have even coined a phrase---"The Waiting Game".  Perhaps one of the most significant "Waits" I  had was the months of anticipation while  awaiting the arrival of my three children.  I spent a great deal of time and energy---preparing for their arrival.  While waiting---I was getting ready for that big day.  I remember counting the days until college graduation.  Anticipating joining the Wide World of Accounting and finally making a livable wage, the hours of homework and studying were broken with daydreams of a better financial picture.  Then there was the fun "wait" for my grandchildren to be born---one of life's highlights.  Finally there was the wait for retirement.  The only thing that is truly different about retirement is no one sends me a paycheck now--I seem to still stay as busy as ever.  

The thing about waiting is the manner in which we wait can take on different faces.  We can wait with great anticipation, we can wait with great anxiety, we can wait while counting down the minutes, we can wait with great dread.  As you sit and ponder all the times you have waited can you identify an emotion during that time period?  Our times of waiting can be an accurate reflection of how we look at life.  Is your glass half full or half empty.  Are you living with great expectations or planning for dooms day?  There are certainly times we have no choice but to wait, but how do you spend the waiting time?  Are you consumed by the "What if's?" or living in the land of "If Only" or are you excited to see what will come at the end of the wait?  

This bears thinking over---spending some time pondering.  Many things in life we have no control over---but we have control over our responses.  And perhaps most important---we need to know that God's plan is always the best plan.   The road to sanctification, though certainly a waiting game---is always well worth the wait.  I must admit, at times, I utter the phrase, "COME LORD JESUS" but until He calls me home---I need to make the most of the wait.

"Wait for the Lord;

be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

UNLIMITED LOVE

 I often see this phrase on line when loved ones are talking about how much they love  each other~

Did you realize this phrase comes from the children's book Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.  "In the book Big Nutbrown Hare tells Little Nutbrown Hare, 'I love you to the moon and back,' after kissing him goodnight and settling him into his bed of leaves.  The moon's symbolism of life, eternity, and love may also contribute to the phrase's power." Dr. Google

When I thank God for His creation of love (He is the author of all emotion), I am reminded of the vastness of the universe He created.  God's love is not limited to the constraints of distance, time, circumstances, or any of the limitations we humans place upon it.  There is another phrase---"Love has its limits".  We all think our love for another is limitless---but is it?  That is a deep-deep subject.  My personal thought is that love can be very close to the emotion of hate.  They both are intense---and usually produced by our connection -our relationship with another.  That is NOT where we are headed today---back to how much we love another.

There is another phrase, "Testing the limits of love".  I did a summary reading of the explanation of this phrase and discovered when we engage in the act of testing a loved ones limits it comes from a lack of trust and a lack of self-esteem.  That is not where we are going either. On to the point!

Recently I heard a sermon which so subsequently explained the depths of God's love for us that I came away with a new understanding of how really deep love can really be.  I had a limited understanding of God's immense love but this one statement gave an even greater depth of meaning.  It explains the limitless boundaries of God's love better than I have ever heard.  I will end with the statement and leave you to ponder---it bears thinking over.

"GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH 

HE & JESUS WERE WILLING TO LOSE EACH OTHER

 WHILE HE WAS ON THE CROSS."

"But you, Lord,

are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger,

ABOUNDING in love and faithfulness."

Psalm 86:15

FLEETING

 Do you tire of Hero stories?  You have to remember he is my constant companion and watching him while caring for him gives me plenty to think about.  In our new to me home, he has quickly adapted to his new surroundings.  He has a fenced back yard where he can take naps in the sun and roam around and sniff to his heart's content.  There is only one problem---the next door neighbor's cat.  He has spent many an hour staring out the glass door at said cat.  He hates Miss Kitty with a passion--and wants SO BADLY to get to her.  I have run her off more times than I can count, but she has come up with a new torment that is driving him crazy.

She sits on the top ledge of the fence between our yards and naps.  If I happen to let him out, he runs over and puts both front feet on the fence and actually barks (remember he seldom barks due to a throat injury).  He's barking, spitting, and puffing--and in general having a fit wanting to get to that cat.  She will slowly open her eyes, as if to say---WHAT? and look down at him with great disdain.  I get the feeling she is thinking---"Go away, Boy, you bother me."  (you do remember Foghorn Leghorn telling Egghead, Jr. this?).  She takes great delight in dangling on the top of that fence, knowing she is out of harm's way, and driving Hero up the wall--literally.  He's all in a huff and she is cool as a cucumber.

A good analogy with things of this world.  We set our eyes upon something--someone else has--and get all in a huff trying to get it.  Our desire becomes our obsession and we can think of little else.  AND the world---those that "have" what we think we need----they look at us with disdain and turn their head to focus on the next thing they think they have to have.  It is a variable Merry Go Round.  Reminds me of a dog chasing his tail.   We live in a consumer's world.  We spend a lot of time, energy, and our finances "getting" what we think we need.  Only to find--the satisfaction is fleeting--it lasts only until the "next thing" catches our eye.  Here is the thing--about all those things---you will reach a point in your life when you realize---it is all just stuff as my friend Helen says, "Hay & Stubble".  What you once deemed treasure, your kids will give to Goodwill or toss into the trash.  Then---in the final chapters---you realize what was truly important--and it was never keeping up with the cat next door.  Food for thought, Friends, courtesy of Hero and Miss Kitty.

"Things that are seen don't last forever,

but things that are not seen are eternal.

This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen."

2 Corinthians 4:18

WITHIN

 Here is a great example of how my mind works~

As I was sweeping off the drive and patio this morning, a private jet flew over on its way to land at the nearby Fort Worth private air strip.(Yes, I have a blower--but it creates a dust storm and my clean windows need cleaning again)  The thing that caught my attention was the noise it made as it began to decelerate to land, I immediately had a flash back to 9/ll.  So many of the survivors have commented on the sound of the engines whining as the plane approached the twin towers.  BUT this time, there was no deceleration instead there was the shrill sound of the jet engines being at full throttle.  As I thought about the shear terror of that day, I wondered if I would be able to tell if a jet was going  to crash into one of the tall downtown buildings only a short mile away from me.  Is there any chance that we would have a terrorist attack here in Fort Worth.  We lost our feeling of smug safety the day those towers were taken down.  We realized we could be attacked by our enemies.  Our soft underbelly of isolation was stripped away on that fatal day in 2001.

Photo from Newsweek Magazine

I began to ponder how for centuries we had not known enemy attack upon our country.  Except for the remote Pearl Harbor, we have not had enemy forces make the long trip to attack us.  There are benefits to living on a continent surrounded by mile upon mile of oceans.  It allowed us to lull ourselves into a false belief that we would never be attacked.  The advent of missiles has perhaps awakened us to the possibility of attack, but we count on our safety net of counter-missiles to thwart any attack.

It then occurred to me what our greatest threat is---not an attack by foreign entities hoping for our failure.  Not missiles pouring down like rain, not nuclear bombers over our heads, not any sudden attack from without.   Our greatest enemy---our threat of failure---the most certain way to have our democracy fall down around our ears---is from within.  History should have taught us---read your civil war history books.  When we are caused to begin to fight amongst ourselves, we are at risk of losing it all.  When we can no longer agree, but only disagree, we are in trouble.  The attack after the last presidential election should have been our wake up call.  We are at great risk---unless we can find a way to remember the huge blessing of living in this great democracy experiment.  If we fail, if we allow our differences to grow to hate----we will be the beginnings of a domino effect of global democracies failing.  The world is watching us---are we a great democracy with political parties changing leadership as the people will or are we a mob---bent upon our "pick" ruling--at any cost?  The clock is ticking and I hope you are praying!

The greatest enemy is always the enemy within--not just from external sources, but internally--from within.  When we allow the world to begin to rule our thoughts---we are headed down the slippery slope.  Unless we get a toe hold upon reason, we will only pick up speed as we head for disaster.   We are headed for the rule of chaos and confusion.  Unless we are willing to take the pronoun "me" out of the center of our mind set and begin to think more of "we"---it terrifies me to think of the  world I am leaving for my grands.  NOW IS THE TIME TO PRAY!

"Christ encourages you,

and His love comforts you.

God's Spirit unites you,

and you are concerned for others.

Now make me completely happy!

Live in harmony by showing love for each other.

Be united in what you think,

as if you were only one person.

Don't be jealous or proud,

but be humble 

and consider others more important than yourselves.

Care about them as much as you care about yourselves

and think the same way Christ Jesus thought."

Philippians 2:1-5

AND HE WALKS WITH ME

 I would like for all of you faithful readers to know that I do not just complain and moan about the anxiety I am currently experiencing (a kinder description might be reveal repeatedly).  I actually try to do something to alleviate the symptoms it produces.  Since anxiety has led to a nagging  stress which has produced a low level of  depression, I KNOW the solution.  I have experienced the benefits many times in the past and thus, I am picking up my exercise regime which had dwindled down to not much in the heat of the Texas summer.  I am back on track now, since the heat has abated and I have no excuse--I am on a mission to do what I can about this nagging anxiety by adding to my daily walk.  No need to jump in the deep end of exercise--a daily walk will suffice.  This does not happen overnight---I do have better sense.  It is a slow process adding a little each and every week.  My morning walk is consistently a mile since The Wonder Dog needs his exercise or he won't poop (TMI---SORRY!).  So with that base of a mile, I am beginning to add distance by dropping Hero off after his walk (at least about a third of which I carry him--HE'S OLD).  I decide upon the distance to add for the week and walk that distance every day of the week before adding a little more the next week.  Trying to avoid injury---I play it safe by conditioning my muscles and lengthening my endurance bit by bit.  The goal is back up to 5 miles---a good daily walk distance to help increase my endorphins.  With the gradual increase, I find I do not get sore, am less prone to injury, and do not come home exhausted.  It will be doable--without regret.

  SIDENOTE--this all sounded great two weeks ago when I wrote this, but since then I have experienced the ugly head of a prior injury and a new one.  I used to have a good leg---NO MORE!  My parts are wearing out!  SO I'm back to between a mile and two since Hero has to have his walk--even if I have to drag my leg behind me!

As I pondered this plan today, I was reminded how God will and does take sin from our life in a similar manner.  When we recognize a sin in our life and realize the havoc it can wreck upon our lives, we want to stop the sin action, but are sometimes leery about our ability to follow through.  What I have discovered is IF I AM WILLING to hand it over to God--to ask for His help, He will faithfully help me to not only cease the sin action, but discover I do not really miss it.  In fact, I am given a lift in spirit when I leave my sinful way behind.  I may still slip up---I may have to repent once again---but God faithfully works to take my sin, if I am willing to do my part.  He is a God who desires for us to stay on the perfect path He has planned for us, but He also recognizes our weaknesses.  He will faithfully help us---if we only ask.  The first step to success is always turning to Him.  Here's to less stress and, more important, an improved walk by trusting Him and the sure knowledge of Who is always walking beside me.

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

OLD STORIES

 I lucked upon someone who had never heard my many tales of adventures with a gun.  YES, I know guns are dangerous, but you cannot have a war without being armed and I was constantly warring with the armadillos.  Unless you are a gardener, you do not understand the damage an almost blind--not particularly smart armadillo can do to a garden.  THUS---I have a gun.  Believe it or not--there are armadillos here in the inner city.  Fortunately, they have not made it all the way to my new to me house, but in the former house---which was close to the woods, around the railroad tracks, and the creek (city drain off) which drains into the Trinity River which is right by us they did a great deal of damage.  They frown upon you shooting a gun in the big city--I am no longer out in the country---so I have NO weapon of defense.  BACK TO THE OLD STORY I shared with a friend while out walking early today.

This particular story is not about the Armadillo Wars, but instead began when I was perturbed at the neighborhood crow flock.  Crows are NOISY birds!  I was living alone in the house where we raised our children. and it sat in the middle of 5 acres of beautiful trees-a variable forest.  The forest is an absolute smorgasbord for the crows, with plenty of small varmints for them to feast upon.  Those crows liked to congregate on the roof of the house, right over my bedroom, and have a gab fest---REALLY EARLY every morning.  I was still running at the time and usually got up well before dawn, but at least once a week we took a day off and I could sleep in (that usually meant 7 AM).  This particular morning there cawing pushed me over the edge of reason and I darted out of bed---barefoot---in a tee shirt and shorts.  I grabbed the 22 gauge rifle and dashed out the door.  I had decided to shoot over those crows and scare them off --hopefully for good.  Crows are very intelligent and remember points of danger.  I was NOT happy---in fact--I was furious and annoyed at those noisy birds.  As I pulled the gun up, I clicked off the safety, and my finger was ready on the trigger.  BAM! the gun went off--and I did not get over the crows--in fact I did not get anywhere near the crows---I shot the house.  The bullet went through the shutter, through the wood siding, through the sheet rock in the bathroom, and lodged in the tile surrounding my tub.  LESSON LEARNED!  Never shoot a gun in anger---there could be unintended consequences.  I did not scare the crows off--they were back the next day--probably sharing a good laugh over the stupid lady who shot the house.  Yes, I could have killed my house, but instead there was a bullet permanently lodged in the master bath.  It was slightly embarrassing to explain to the next owner, why that bullet was lodged in the tile.  

Yes, I can be sent over the edge of reason and forget to think when angry.  Anger is an emotion which can cause rash reactions.  Almost every time I have spontaneously reacted in a moment of anger, it has not ended well.  The far reaching ripples of any hasty action, made in anger, have unintended consequences.  You are angry with your mate--and lash out without thought of the unintended consequences which will lodge in the hearts of your children who overhear.  Those words are permanently lodged in their hearts--and will never be forgotten--causing a lack of trust in loved ones.  Is there ever a time when our actions do not directly impact those in our sphere of influence?  Food for thought---and an old-old story.

"Don't be angry or furious.

Anger can lead to sin."

Psalm 37:8

THREE LITTLE WORDS

 Growing up those words, "I love you," were reserved for only private moments and rarely spoken.  Because I had not heard them at home, I did not realize the power those three little words carry.   During the period I grew up and with stoics on both sides of my family--it is understandable that the freedom to utter those words was a long time coming.  It was deemed that we should understand we were loved by the actions of our loved ones.  All they did for us, was a declaration of love we should intuitively understand. 

In a recent sermon, the teacher spoke of the daily need to verbally assure his wife and children of his love for them.  He laughingly declared he thought getting married was a one and done in the need for love declarations.  His wife taught him the lesson of the need for reassurance day in - day out---on the days of joy and in the depths of despair or anger---we have a need for love to be affirmed.  Perhaps man's greatest need---is the need to understand He is loved.

God's love is another dimension of love.  A love far greater than our stunted heart can understand.  Read the Love Letter----His love has no bounds---all we have to do is consider what He has done for us to ensure our eternal relationship with Him.  He loves us--has a good plan for us--and even in our moments of failure---He shows us His grace and love.  God tells us He loves us by His acts of grace, His gifts of provision, and the wonderous creation He placed all around us.  God's love- is verbalized in the song of the breeze, the babble of the brook, the call of the birds, the beauty of the flora, and the change of the season to name a few.  God shouts His love for us---in the community He gives us--the love of our family--and the warmth of a hug.

What happens when we utter those words, "I love you"?  We are reminding another of the depth of our feelings for them.  We are stating what should be obvious in our actions, yet the verbal reassurance reminds us ---we are loved.  Man was created with an emotional need to be loved.  There is one other thing which happens when we tell someone, "I love you.", we are reminding ourselves of the responsibility--the commitment--the choice we have made to love them.  Love is not to be taken lightly---it comes with a sacrifice and not just a sacrifice of a few idly tossed out words.  Love is truly displayed by our actions.  One of those actions---perhaps one of the more important is our willingness to declare--remind--restate--to our loved one and ourselves the depth of our feelings.  Feelings which are modeled by The Author of Love---the one who loves us all best.  

"We love,

because He first loved us."

I John 4:19

CONFORMITY

 Recently I heard a sermon on this well known and often repeated verse ~

"And do not be conformed to this world 

(any longer with its superficial values and customs),

but be transformed and progressively changed

(as you mature spiritually)

by the renewing of your mind

(focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes),

so that you may prove (for themselves)

what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and perfect

(in His plan and purpose for you).

Romans 12:2 AMP

This was the second lesson using only one verse, but there is plenty to be said about conforming to the world.  I heard this sermon a couple of weeks ago and when looking back at my notes, my first reaction was at this stage of my life, I am no longer in the race to be in the midst of what is considered by the world as necessary to have the appearance of being "with it".  Truthfully, I have always marched to the beat of my own drum and the older I get the more out of line I get with the masses.  BUT, is that really the truth of who I am?  Do I have areas where it is important to me to be seen as "worldly"?  Am I always free from the struggle to be searching for man's approval?  Are there still areas I seek to be approved of by those whom I care about their opinion?

I find the new phenomena of "Influencers" fascinating.  Social media has been the catalyst that has catapulted this into the forefront.  There are those who have placed themselves into positions of influence on the WWW.  My personal thought about this--as quickly as you rise--so you can fall.  I cannot imagine the pressure of ALWAYS being "On".  On target as to what others will respond to---on target as to what is "cool"---on target as to what others will accept as the Social Gospel.  I have no influence---and do not look to influencers for inspiration---I pray---my influence comes from The One True Source.

OF COURSE, I have struggles with conformity.  Think for a minute about meeting a new person--someone well thought of in the circles surrounding you.  Do you seek to impress--perhaps in a passive manner---but maybe overtly?  Is it important that you are accepted and well thought of by those "influencers" in your life?  What lengths are you willing to go to so that they will see you as someone they want in their circle?  We think we do not want or need the approval of others, but perhaps the want or need to be sure you are always truly different and never seeking favor is in itself a way to seek conformity.  Conformity with those on the supposed outside.  

Bottom line---yes--I seek approval and sometimes that means conforming myself to the principles of the world.  A subtle declaration of I do not gossip--and yet you listen to gossip and do not speak up is a great example.  We conform when we do not speak up for what is right and true.  BUT GOD---He is leading us down the road to sanctification and when we lean into Him--He will take those desires for behaviors which do not correspond to  our faith.  If we recognize our failings---and give Him the control--He will take the desire to be of this world from us.  He will conform us to Him and Jesus Christ--and we will be in His good and acceptable and perfect plan for us.  AMEN!

LISTEN

I met two very interesting walkers this morning.  You can always tell the walkers who might be interested in a conversation---number one- they are not walking as if on a mission and number two they are actually looking at their surroundings.  We struck up some small talk when they walked by and petted Hero as I scooped up his poop.  I came away from our walk and talk with two distinct impressions I will share.  

The first one--I have begun noticing almost everyone out walking is younger than me.  NOW, I know there are others in my age bracket living here in Fort Worth, but they do not seem to be out walking in the early morning hours.  AND---even when I think I am about the age of the one I am approaching---I am caught a little off guard to discover they are more than a decade younger than me.  In the eyes of the world, I am an old lady---BUT in my head---I do not feel like an old lady.   It is a strange phenomena that inside your head---you still feel the same as you did decades ago.  It's as if my mind is ageless.  The wear and tear on my body reveals my physical age, but my thoughts seem to be ageless.  Am I the only one to experience this sensation?  I would really like to hear how you feel about this perception.

The second thing----if you listen carefully---even when you know you are not on the same page in many areas of your philosophies, you will find many have lead interesting lives.  It requires the ability to listen without trying to convince the speaker of where they are wrong or what you have to say is more important.    Although, I am certain---my life has been very different from these two walkers---I came away intrigued by the conversation.  Would I dare say we come from completely different spectrums on a number of points?  BUT, by being willing to keep still--just listen--I walked away knowing where their beliefs come from and intrigued to consider some of their points.  They both were scientist---and their ideas about modern medicine, vaccines, and the whys of all that has happened since the pandemic were fascinating.  One had a military background and had retired as a major--had a BS in micro biology and a MS in microbiology and the other was a pathologist.  They both had worked in science related fields there entire careers.  There was reason, knowledge and experience behind their thoughts.  They both had lived in a wide variety of locations, and we shared the experience of caring for aging family members.  By listening--I came away with an idea of why others are on a different page than I am on a variety of subjects.  I was not threatened by their difference of opinions from mine, but instead enlightened as to why they were different from mine.  We spoke of listening earlier this year---and once again, I am so glad I read The Listening Life.  Do you dare to listen without being threatened by the differences of others?  Are your opinions well grounded enough to listen to the reasoning of another without being threatened?  It was an interesting morning walk---I am glad I asked the questions and listened to the replies without the need to change their minds.  Something tells me---my witness will be much stronger if I first listen--with kindness and respect.  A strong witness comes with mutual respect and the key to respect is your attitude toward others.  Search the scriptures---Jesus listened well. 

"Pay attention to how you listen!"

Luke 8:18 CEV

THE RAIN FALLS ON US ALL

My memory is NOT what is once was and I think I may have broached this subject before--if I have---I apologize.  Be thankful you are not constantly around me for I also have begun repeating stories.  I remember cringing when my step father and father in law would push repeat---I am now finding myself in the same pattern.  I do realize I am doing it and often say, "If I have told you this before, please stop me."  We Southerners can be polite to a fault and most will not embarrass us by calling for a cease and desist.  NOW on to the point

Today was one of the three days a week I pull hoses around and water my yard.  I previously explained I have no sprinkler system---well I do, but it is me---since this is a really old house with no thought given in the original planning to need for multiple outside faucets.  Once I am outside, I am easily distracted by what needs doing.  One thing that ALWAYS needs doing is weeding.  Since the original yard was a jungle---there is a wide variety and bumper crop of weeds.  If my grass and plants grew like the weeds, I would have yard of the month.

Here is the thing about weeds, they are the first plant to sprout out of the ground every spring and the last to die every winter.  They are hardy---that comes from their natural adaptation to harsh conditions and need for survival of the species.  When I water---the water falls on the "good" plants and grass as well as the weeds.  There is no way I can selectively not water the weeds.  When it rains, the rain falls on the weeds and the "good" plants.  Weeds do not need a lot of water--they have adapted to sparse water conditions, but when they come to live in my yard--they are given an abundance of water ~ AND THEY THRIVE.  If I am not diligent the weeds will choke out the beauties.  It takes a lot of time on my knees to keep those weeds under control---and If I do not pull them out by the roots---they will pop up once again.

I know you see where I am going.  Weeds =  Sin.  It can be hardy and difficult to rid ourselves of it since it sprouts easily, grows quickly, and can become deeply rooted and entrenched in our hearts.  It takes recognition of the invasion by the undesirable and time on our knees to stop its growth--pull it out by the root cause of a human failing.  We cannot cut off all the water--but we can refuse to allow it to take root.  We are the gardener of our soul.

"Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven.

He makes the sun rise on the good and bad people.

And He sends rain for the ones who do right 

and for the ones who do wrong."

Matthew 5:45 CEV  

READY?

 Sometime in the last century (NOW THAT IS DAUNTING!) I was a cheerleader in high school.  I know---unbelievable!  The signal to start a cheer was one of the group saying, "Ready" and the others immediately echoing, "Okay".  WHY---I have no idea--and gave it NO thought at the time.  We then commenced to chant the cheer.  There is a famous ad campaign on television, 'ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?"  It was the lead off into whatever game was about to be broadcast.  When visiting the doctor or dentist for an uncomfortable or painful procedure, they will often ask, "Are you ready?" before beginning the procedure.  I remember my own parents and myself as a parent asking the children, "Are you ready to go?" when we were trying to get out the door for some occasion.  I am ready for fall; I am ready for a break; supper is ready; are you ready for your test; on and on and on we talk about being ready.  Exactly what is ready? 

Mr. Oxford tells me it can be an adjective, noun, or verb.  In all the cases above and, in fact, I most often use it as an adjective.  That definition would be ~

In a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation;

fully prepared

Exactly what is a "suitable state"?  Well that certainly depends upon the activity, action or situation to which we are referring.  When asking my children if they were ready, that was asking do you have your clothes on, have you been to the restroom,  and do you have your "stuff" together.  When the doctor or dentist asks if I am ready, they were warning me the pain was about to commence to brace myself.  Am I ready for fall----have you had enough of this long hot summer?  Am I ready for a break---are you tired and need to rest.  Supper is ready--the food is cooked and on the table.  Are you ready for your test--did you bother to study.  Are we prepared, have we done the necessary steps to proceed, is your head in the game and your body trained.  Before we begin---let us be certain we are willing, able and prepared before we launch off in any pursuit.  If a pursuit is worth doing---we need to be at our best---prepared---and willing.

When we get up each and every morning, are we ready to pursue the day?  My day begins in The Word--I am preparing my heart and mind to put God first as I walk out the door.  When the final bell tolls, will we be ready for our first step into the Heavenly realms?  Am I in a suitable state to present myself before a Holy God?  DAUNTING!  SO thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice for my sin so that I dare to stand before to The Righteous Judge.

"Always be ready!

You don't know when the Son of Man will come."

Matthew 24:44  CEV