Monthly Archives: August 2020

Share Four Somethings ~ August 2020

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August 2020 Share Four Somethings

August 23rd….In some ways it doesn’t seem possible that we’re this far into 2020 and then again, it feels like it’s taken a long time to get here! But the end of August is where we are: a time of back to school ads on TV, towering sunflowers in the garden, and Share Four Somethings right here! My month was rather quiet and status quo and that’s a good thing these days; but let me share with you just a few highlights….

Something Loved

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Our church Christmas tree is large and difficult to move. Each year we struggle to get it in and then struggle to get it back out of the sanctuary.  It takes many hands. This year, for several reasons we were short handed, and so, the tree stood there unadorned in the corner. Then Covid 19 hit and we could no longer go to church.  That’s when I decided to take a little piece of church to our congregation. So far, this Christmas tree has become an Easter tree, Patriotic tree, and everything in between.  (This is our August Summer tree) I’ve loved decorating it with a monthly theme and then sharing pictures and a greeting with our members through our FB page and email. It’s brightened my mood to see it come to life and I pray that, even though we aren’t together, it’s helped make our church family feel just a little closer, too!

Something Read

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17(CEV)

Books are stacked on my bookshelves and side tables and yet, for some reason I just haven’t picked one up to read in a long time. (Too much Netflix binging maybe) Despite not having a book to offer you, I have been participating in an online Bible Study called “Arise: Seeking God as Your Hiding Place” at http://www.faithfullyfollowingministries.com Each day they offer scripture to read and study, a free journal to keep notes in, and insight into each day’s subject. So far my take-aways have been: “Arise and Refocus on Him, Arise and Follow in Hope, Arise and Let My Heart Sing, Arise and Shape My Worries into Prayer, and Arise and Release.” I’m inspired and encouraged through the women who share in this study and am grateful for the wisdom and words they offer. I’m looking forward to all I’ll read and learn in the next week as it finishes up.

Something Treasured

“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” Proverbs 22:6 (GNT)

There are lots of blessings that come with being a teacher, but one of my favorites is watching my little Second Graders grow up and move on into the world. Even better, when they reach out and let me celebrate with them. This year in addition to announcements, I received a thank you note that included words that I’ll treasure as they warmed this ole teacher’s heart and brought tears to my eyes. It reminds me how important all our interactions with others are. We never know how God will use us to touch others or how He’ll use them to change us!

Something Ahead

“Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, just as children are proud of their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 (GNT)

Well, we’re down to days until the arrival of our new grandson and I’m ready to pack up and go as soon as I get the call! Every day as a MiMi has been a gift and I’m looking ahead to all the reading stories, singing songs, baking, playing, cheering on, and making memories with THREE grandsons! MiMi X 3 = Love, Love, Love!!!! (and maybe a little exhaustion added in)

Well, there you have it, a glimpse into my August in a few paragraphs.  Now it’s your turn! I’d love for you to share your Four Somethings for the month in the comments so we can help celebrate your month with you. Oh, and as we move into September, best of luck to everyone playing a part in starting school. May your year be blessed!

I so enjoy this practice of Sharing Four Somethings! If you’d like to join in or read more just click over to http://www.heathergerwing.com I look forward to seeing what September offers us.  It’s my prayer that we find our new normal and move forward with our confidence in God who is in control of all our months. As always I’m so blessed to have you here with me. It means more than you can know. 

Mercy~Five Minute Friday

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“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 (NIV)

Mercy

I remember standing in front of a classroom of rowdy Second Graders and thinking it. Or whispering it under my breath as a toddler lay screaming and kicking at my feet. More times than I’d like to admit, I’ve shouted it from behind the wheel of my car. And now, in the midst of a pandemic, with storms raging, and people choosing sides, the words have flowed from my heart and across my lips again: “Lord, have mercy!” Have you been there?

“Lord, have mercy”:  Three words that slip easily from the tongue without much thought. The reality though, is that they are life-changing words we need to say with intention, not in our frustration when we’re at the end of our rope with others, but when we find we’re finally at the end of ourselves.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

I don’t know about you, but when I look around, I’m reminded of what the world has to offer: a pandemic of sin, storms of discontent raging, and brothers and sisters standing divided rather than together. The world needs saving. WE need saving!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Are you at the end of doing it on your own? Have you said the words? If you haven’t, now’s the time. Whether you think them, whisper them, or shout them, let “Lord, have mercy” flow from your heart to God and step out of this world and into His living hope.

If like me, you’ve accepted the mercy of Jesus’ sacrifice, then let’s challenge one another to share the love we’ve received with those around us, on our social media feeds, and with those who are watching from afar. Like Paul, we were shown mercy so we can offer His mercy to others.

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

Life changing words. World changing words. Eternity changing words.

Lord, Have Mercy!

 

Today’s post was written to the prompt “Mercy” and I’m joining with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to share our thoughts about just that. Click over to read more. Thank you for taking your time to stop in. Your presence is a gift to me. Do you have thoughts about Mercy? I’d love to hear them. Just drop them in the comments. God Bless!

 

The Light Makes it Right ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, ‘I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.’ ” John 8:12 (CEV)

The Light Makes it Right

WARNING: Whining in the forecast. You may want to take cover……

See the picture above? Well, that sunless, gray, gloomy, threatening a downpour kinda sky, accurately represents just how I’ve been feeling lately. Things seem to be going every which way but right. Cut into a seedless watermelon to find it full of seeds: clouds of dissatisfaction move in. Gifts ordered and promised to be delivered by a special date end up being delayed: clouds grow grayer with frustration. Plans hoped for, aren’t going to work out: the sky is obscured with disappointment. And now, heartbreak and tragedy have happened too close to home: the gloom of discouragement hangs oppressively in the air. There’s a storm brewing in my heart and a deluge of tears has been looming. Life feels dark.

From trivial inconveniences to life changing events, I have let the dreariness around me be all that I see. Let’s look at the photo again. Notice what I’ve been missing?

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5

Yes, the Light in the midst of the storm is exactly what I’ve been missing! While I’ve been looking around and focusing only on the “overcast” circumstances surrounding me, I’ve forgotten to look up and see the Son shining through.

“I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.”
John 12:46 (CEV)

Jesus didn’t come so that we’d have sunny days all our lives. He came to help us through all the unexpected storms we’d face.  I think we know more about that now, than ever before. How easily I forget in times like these, that I don’t have to remain standing alone in the darkness of my moods and feelings. Maybe you’ve been standing there, too.

“The Scriptures say, ‘God commanded light to shine in the dark.’ Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (CEV)

In writing this, I now realize that I got my title all wrong. Instead of “The Light Makes It Right”, it should be, “The Light Makes ME Right”! Our life situations aren’t necessarily going to change: the clouds will roll in, skies will get gray, and rains will pour down, but when we rely on God’s power to weather our storms and the Light of Jesus to show us the way when we’re in the dark, WE will be what is changed.  And that change? It will then be a light in us, shining The Way for others.

I sure am glad most of you haven’t had to be around me in my whiny state these last few days! Is it ever time for a change in my “weather outlook”!  What a “God-incidence” that I took this picture a few evenings ago, the prompt this week at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com  is “Right”, and that He would give me these words just when I needed them! I love when He does that!  I’d love for you to share in the comments how you handle the dark, gloomy times in your life. For me, I’m going to begin focusing on that Light of the world that cannot be overcome! God Bless You and thank you for stopping in.