It's not as if us old folks can afford these endings when they come as fast they seem to be coming now. I would hold back the clock if I could or add many more hours to each day just in case I would finish all the tasks I want to accomplish.
Of course, I'm the drawback since a book isn't going to get published if I don's sit down and write. A family life scrapbook or books are not going to be finished if I don't get out the pictures and start organizing the pages to set up - I do have sort of an excuse of no place to leave things out and not a whole lot of room on a smaller dining room table and two TV trays. Still it sounds like excuses to me.
Opening my dark chocolate - Dove - and reading the cute sayings they have inside each one it says "find comfort and joy in chocolate." I will admit that there are days when this would actually work for me. I am an emotional eater and chocolate is definitely my main "go to" yet God forgive me if I actually think or believe for a moment that joy and/or comfort is actually going to come from a sweet bite of yummy chocolate.
Joy especially - not being happy - but true joy within that reaches down to our toes and up through our minds - only one place it can or will ever come from - God, our Abba Father AND Jesus, my beloved.
Comfort is only from above and we know for a fact that the only one who can and does bring it to us is His Holy Spirit, my TRUE COMFORTER.
Let us all look forward during the next week as we head on in to the next year of our old lives to the Lord's blessings and grace sufficient and His presence at all times just keeps on coming as it always has.
Monday, December 25, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
HEAVEN Do I really want to go?
Don't know if it is about getting older or just being curious but books on Heaven seem to draw me more and more these days or years. Just finished A BETTER COUNTRY "Preparing for Heaven" by Dan Schaeffer. Great thoughts and questions and answers about it all. Maybe even too many and too much to actually digest all at one reading.
Towards the end he talks about who goes and who does not go and the whys and wherefores of that. I believe, as a Christian, and student of God's Word, that there is only one way - a narrow way - and that is by faith in Jesus Christ and His grace through His death and resurrection that can and does get us there.
Again my old favorite, C. S. Lewis stated it wisely well. "There are only two kinds of people in the end, those who say to God 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says...'Thy will be done.' All that are in hell chose it. Without that self-choice (free will) there could be no hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened."
In Revelation when it foretells of all the horrific things that will come upon the world wreaking havoc and destruction it says more than once "and still they did NOT repent." Free will allows us the choice to refuse to believe or go to heaven. I never forgot a TWILIGHT ZONE featuring a "ne're-do-well" villain who killed without mercy or reason, used women for his own amusement only, drank, gambled and seemed to enjoy every minute. One night he got shot and when he woke up a dapper gentleman told him that he was there to take care of his wound, which healed immediately, and providing him with whatever he asked. Needless to say - true to form - he had women, money, gambling until he tired of it all. In his exhaustion he asked his gentleman provider why such a man who lived the life he lived could have ever deserved to be let in the doors of heaven. The ending of that particular show still rings loud and clear. "Why my dear man, whatever made you think you went there, not at all. You are in the other place." With only seconds left you could see in his eyes the realization of what an eternity of getting what we want would actually be.
So again I say I'm happy to be a firm believer in CHRIST ALONE as the reason why we get to go to heaven rather than to be on our own and making the selfish choices we would make without Him.
Towards the end he talks about who goes and who does not go and the whys and wherefores of that. I believe, as a Christian, and student of God's Word, that there is only one way - a narrow way - and that is by faith in Jesus Christ and His grace through His death and resurrection that can and does get us there.
Again my old favorite, C. S. Lewis stated it wisely well. "There are only two kinds of people in the end, those who say to God 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says...'Thy will be done.' All that are in hell chose it. Without that self-choice (free will) there could be no hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened."
In Revelation when it foretells of all the horrific things that will come upon the world wreaking havoc and destruction it says more than once "and still they did NOT repent." Free will allows us the choice to refuse to believe or go to heaven. I never forgot a TWILIGHT ZONE featuring a "ne're-do-well" villain who killed without mercy or reason, used women for his own amusement only, drank, gambled and seemed to enjoy every minute. One night he got shot and when he woke up a dapper gentleman told him that he was there to take care of his wound, which healed immediately, and providing him with whatever he asked. Needless to say - true to form - he had women, money, gambling until he tired of it all. In his exhaustion he asked his gentleman provider why such a man who lived the life he lived could have ever deserved to be let in the doors of heaven. The ending of that particular show still rings loud and clear. "Why my dear man, whatever made you think you went there, not at all. You are in the other place." With only seconds left you could see in his eyes the realization of what an eternity of getting what we want would actually be.
So again I say I'm happy to be a firm believer in CHRIST ALONE as the reason why we get to go to heaven rather than to be on our own and making the selfish choices we would make without Him.
Monday, November 6, 2017
C S Lewis
Some people think he is hard to read and all his books seem text booky. I guess, because my first to read was SCREWTAPE LETTERS, that I saw his humor, great deduction of and possible ways of looking at all the various philosophies and worldly ways hitting us every day, it was easy for him to be one of my favorite of all Christian authors.
I am reading THE BUSINESS OF HEAVEN right now and as always I am fascinated by his take on thinking ways of man. Lewis told of an old man who said he had no need of religion per se for he knew there was a God. He had "felt" him alone in the desert at night. Lewis' retort was "Now in a sense I quite agreed with that man." He went on to say he believed he probably had an encounter with God. But Lewis went on to expound on how we can "feel" something as we stand at the ocean's edge, and when we look at a map or book of pictures of it, we certainly will "feel" less.
The fun of Lewis is he goes on and leads us further into it. A navigational chart or the "theology" of the ocean put in a book or an Atlas may not cause the same feeling as being at the ocean's edge with the water washing over our feet. But if we ever want that ocean to take us somewhere we are going to need the map.
I almost cry every time I read Romans 1 when it tells of the creation of God and how He meant it to reveal HIMSELF to us. And then the verse that almost causes me to weep, Romans 1:20 "...they will be without excuse..." As simple as that - you may believe in God - the devils believe and tremble but if we do not desire to learn and grow more knowledgeable of Him in a church or the Bible or prayer or fellowship with other Christians more mature who can lead us forward into it, then we do or know nothing more. It is just NOT enough. C.S Lewis is great at making us think!
I am reading THE BUSINESS OF HEAVEN right now and as always I am fascinated by his take on thinking ways of man. Lewis told of an old man who said he had no need of religion per se for he knew there was a God. He had "felt" him alone in the desert at night. Lewis' retort was "Now in a sense I quite agreed with that man." He went on to say he believed he probably had an encounter with God. But Lewis went on to expound on how we can "feel" something as we stand at the ocean's edge, and when we look at a map or book of pictures of it, we certainly will "feel" less.
The fun of Lewis is he goes on and leads us further into it. A navigational chart or the "theology" of the ocean put in a book or an Atlas may not cause the same feeling as being at the ocean's edge with the water washing over our feet. But if we ever want that ocean to take us somewhere we are going to need the map.
I almost cry every time I read Romans 1 when it tells of the creation of God and how He meant it to reveal HIMSELF to us. And then the verse that almost causes me to weep, Romans 1:20 "...they will be without excuse..." As simple as that - you may believe in God - the devils believe and tremble but if we do not desire to learn and grow more knowledgeable of Him in a church or the Bible or prayer or fellowship with other Christians more mature who can lead us forward into it, then we do or know nothing more. It is just NOT enough. C.S Lewis is great at making us think!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
NAMES
Finally something dawned. Been thinking about the meaning of names and how important that can be. Our minister of music has a daughter they named Selah. I asked if he thought she would grow up loving it or hating having to always spell or explain it. He said they have told her from the beginning that it is in Psalms in the Bible meaning to pause and consider the Glory of God. He said she is already very comfortable with being able to speak about its message for all who care to ask.
Now that is a most purposeful name -it is always going to bring up the most important subject of all - God's glory.
Our family likes keeping old family names going so we have a lot of last names as our childrens' first names. My daughter is Mary Gentry (Gentry was my father's mother's maiden name and also means to the manner born or of good heritage). Her daughters' names are Mckenzie, which means "the fair one" or "born of fire". She didn't turn out to be a total red head like her Mom but she was a strawberry blond for most of her childhood years. She is definitely fair of skin. Karissa means -with a "k" love and grace and with a "c" that everyone said it "should have been spelled" means beloved one. They are both Greek in origin and both suit our Karissa just fine.
My own name took on its true meaning once I began my new life in Christ - Anna is Hebrew and means grace and so I am now full of grace thanks to the Dear Lord. I was also named Louise after a great aunt. That is of German origin and means a great warrior. I am not much of a fighter though I don't mind an argument or two that can go on forever but I like to think that maybe it means I can and hopefully will stand up and fight for what I believe. I pray for my persecuted sisters and brothers all over the world and just wonder could I even begin to stand firm and faithful at the point of a gun or a machete being swung in my face. I pray so, hope so want to be able to and maybe since that's the name God knew would be chosen it was His way of making sure I will.
Hopefully you have a name you love and live up to and it positively affirms who you are each day.
Now that is a most purposeful name -it is always going to bring up the most important subject of all - God's glory.
Our family likes keeping old family names going so we have a lot of last names as our childrens' first names. My daughter is Mary Gentry (Gentry was my father's mother's maiden name and also means to the manner born or of good heritage). Her daughters' names are Mckenzie, which means "the fair one" or "born of fire". She didn't turn out to be a total red head like her Mom but she was a strawberry blond for most of her childhood years. She is definitely fair of skin. Karissa means -with a "k" love and grace and with a "c" that everyone said it "should have been spelled" means beloved one. They are both Greek in origin and both suit our Karissa just fine.
My own name took on its true meaning once I began my new life in Christ - Anna is Hebrew and means grace and so I am now full of grace thanks to the Dear Lord. I was also named Louise after a great aunt. That is of German origin and means a great warrior. I am not much of a fighter though I don't mind an argument or two that can go on forever but I like to think that maybe it means I can and hopefully will stand up and fight for what I believe. I pray for my persecuted sisters and brothers all over the world and just wonder could I even begin to stand firm and faithful at the point of a gun or a machete being swung in my face. I pray so, hope so want to be able to and maybe since that's the name God knew would be chosen it was His way of making sure I will.
Hopefully you have a name you love and live up to and it positively affirms who you are each day.
Monday, October 16, 2017
AT THE END
I'm fascinated by people's dying words. I just came across a quote of Leonardo DaVinci that said:
" I have offended mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." Can you imagine? If he did not reach his idea of "quality" mine is sadly lacking in whatever it should be.
I do not thing I'm very artistic or even creative for that matter because I have had to seek out an image - can't draw a straight line or cut one either - and am using techniques in every facet of my work that someone else thought of way before me. Still I know my cards please the receivers and therefore I do place a high "quality" to them because of that.
I imagine DaVinci, like poor Van Gogh, and many others may not have lived to see what their work became hundreds of years later. Poor Van Gogh would not have even comprehended what four million dollars for one painting even meant. I am not sure, but I do not think they had that much money in one place at that time to even know its value.
Still I could weep to think that any artist or even person, for that matter, would have to die thinking they had offended mankind because they did not delivered something of higher quality. Perhaps he was a perfectionist and that defeated him. Still he was a visionary in so many areas. Could he not see that?
We come back to my own possible last words. My father's repeated phrase to us girls was "I have made you jack of all trades but master of none." And so did he see himself in the same light. I have to admit it does defeat me at times because it has certainly become a self-fulfilled prophecy in my life.
As I have been sharing in this new 75th year - I've still to get on the ball and make it happen. I still have not done whatever I need to do to know I am "up to snuff." But Dear God please do not let me offend anyone or even disappoint them at all. Please oh please let me finally get my ducks in a row for this year and for many more to come. I will keep on until I do.
If you haven't noticed the Energizer Bunny ads lately they are too cute and for me very inspiring. I will just keep going for as long as my battery lasts. Thank you Lord it is an energizer called the Holy Spirit and He's excellent at it and I know lasts forever.
" I have offended mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." Can you imagine? If he did not reach his idea of "quality" mine is sadly lacking in whatever it should be.
I do not thing I'm very artistic or even creative for that matter because I have had to seek out an image - can't draw a straight line or cut one either - and am using techniques in every facet of my work that someone else thought of way before me. Still I know my cards please the receivers and therefore I do place a high "quality" to them because of that.
I imagine DaVinci, like poor Van Gogh, and many others may not have lived to see what their work became hundreds of years later. Poor Van Gogh would not have even comprehended what four million dollars for one painting even meant. I am not sure, but I do not think they had that much money in one place at that time to even know its value.
Still I could weep to think that any artist or even person, for that matter, would have to die thinking they had offended mankind because they did not delivered something of higher quality. Perhaps he was a perfectionist and that defeated him. Still he was a visionary in so many areas. Could he not see that?
We come back to my own possible last words. My father's repeated phrase to us girls was "I have made you jack of all trades but master of none." And so did he see himself in the same light. I have to admit it does defeat me at times because it has certainly become a self-fulfilled prophecy in my life.
As I have been sharing in this new 75th year - I've still to get on the ball and make it happen. I still have not done whatever I need to do to know I am "up to snuff." But Dear God please do not let me offend anyone or even disappoint them at all. Please oh please let me finally get my ducks in a row for this year and for many more to come. I will keep on until I do.
If you haven't noticed the Energizer Bunny ads lately they are too cute and for me very inspiring. I will just keep going for as long as my battery lasts. Thank you Lord it is an energizer called the Holy Spirit and He's excellent at it and I know lasts forever.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Before I Die
I'm still not quite on track with writing this every Monday and really not on track with writing as I should be at all. But not able to sleep tonight a thought of what to write about did come.
I have figured out what I want my last words or request or whatever to be right before I die.
I want everyone to pray that the Dear Lord will let me continue to pray for everyone who I pray for now and whom the Lord knows I would want to continue to pray for for all eternity or until the answers come. They speculate that we may not do anything of our earthly life as we know it but praying is a spiritual exercise too so hopefully that one can be a carry-over. I can't imagine not being able to pray.
I am fascinated by how some people's epitaph's actually read on tombstones or in biographies. I am very interested in how people die. I see saints of the Lord versus people who only loved the world and all that was in it experience drastically different home-goings .
I just read where Dwight L. Moody, a great saint of the Lord, said, "Earth is receding, heaven is approaching. God is calling me." Who would delay leaving at that moment in time?
Winston Churchill asked that the famous and usual "Taps" be played as his funeral began then made sure to surprise everyone attending when the trumpeter played "Reveille" when it was over. That is the military call to awake each morning. Churchill obviously believed that death is not the end of our life, but actually the very beginning of the best part yet to come.
I'm planning on being ready willing and able, but I'm also planning on enjoying and living to the fullest every minute of every day and hopefully many many years to come.
I have figured out what I want my last words or request or whatever to be right before I die.
I want everyone to pray that the Dear Lord will let me continue to pray for everyone who I pray for now and whom the Lord knows I would want to continue to pray for for all eternity or until the answers come. They speculate that we may not do anything of our earthly life as we know it but praying is a spiritual exercise too so hopefully that one can be a carry-over. I can't imagine not being able to pray.
I am fascinated by how some people's epitaph's actually read on tombstones or in biographies. I am very interested in how people die. I see saints of the Lord versus people who only loved the world and all that was in it experience drastically different home-goings .
I just read where Dwight L. Moody, a great saint of the Lord, said, "Earth is receding, heaven is approaching. God is calling me." Who would delay leaving at that moment in time?
Winston Churchill asked that the famous and usual "Taps" be played as his funeral began then made sure to surprise everyone attending when the trumpeter played "Reveille" when it was over. That is the military call to awake each morning. Churchill obviously believed that death is not the end of our life, but actually the very beginning of the best part yet to come.
I'm planning on being ready willing and able, but I'm also planning on enjoying and living to the fullest every minute of every day and hopefully many many years to come.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
KEEP ON KEEPING ON!
Having said I would do a blog message every Monday and having absolutely nothing to say for the past few weeks is so totally frustrating. But this morning feeling the exact same defeated way about it - it dawned on me. Write it anyway. Even if I've nothing to say, being faithful to the decision to do a blog and then writing something even if it is just plain nonsense still fulfills that decision.
I think my follow through might just be as important as if I truly had a great message to share. There is something about taking the next step or doing the next thing on the agenda in spite of how we feel or think or even are within our heart and soul each day. How many times in life will we be totally thrown down or punched in the gut and not know what to do or how we feel or what in the world we want to do about it.
Well, then just do whatever it is in your life that you are supposed to do. I am grieving right now with a couple of Moms who just miscarried and the grief is huge HUGE but they also have other children and I know in both instances they are being brave, strong, responsible and doing what they need to do each moment as it demands. Diapers to change, food to fix, games to play and time to rest, when the babies are down, are the things that come to mind. Doing the next thing is all that the Dear Lord looks for and is gracious enough to grant His loving arms to help us accomplish.
Life that is in tragedy as our dear hurricane victims, or in sorrow as my dear young mothers or just in a blah state of mind and daily routine like me or anyone else, the Dear Lord is hoping we are still faithful to Him, to our loved ones, to our work or ministry and we thank Him each day that it is a new day to hope and to expect great things - even miracles. So let's just keep on keeping on. I am and I will, but Dear Lord never leave me or make me do it alone.
I think my follow through might just be as important as if I truly had a great message to share. There is something about taking the next step or doing the next thing on the agenda in spite of how we feel or think or even are within our heart and soul each day. How many times in life will we be totally thrown down or punched in the gut and not know what to do or how we feel or what in the world we want to do about it.
Well, then just do whatever it is in your life that you are supposed to do. I am grieving right now with a couple of Moms who just miscarried and the grief is huge HUGE but they also have other children and I know in both instances they are being brave, strong, responsible and doing what they need to do each moment as it demands. Diapers to change, food to fix, games to play and time to rest, when the babies are down, are the things that come to mind. Doing the next thing is all that the Dear Lord looks for and is gracious enough to grant His loving arms to help us accomplish.
Life that is in tragedy as our dear hurricane victims, or in sorrow as my dear young mothers or just in a blah state of mind and daily routine like me or anyone else, the Dear Lord is hoping we are still faithful to Him, to our loved ones, to our work or ministry and we thank Him each day that it is a new day to hope and to expect great things - even miracles. So let's just keep on keeping on. I am and I will, but Dear Lord never leave me or make me do it alone.
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