Grandparent Lessons

Psalm 145:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,

    and shall declare your mighty acts.

Deuteronomy 4:9English Standard Version (ESV)

9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—

When I saw this old photo, I was immediately taken back to the days of my childhood, riding in the back seat of my grandparents' car as they left the farm to go to town.  Even though it was a very small town in a rural area, they always dressed with great care for the occasion.  Presenting yourself with decorum to your fellow citizens and neighbors was a sign of your respect for them.  I tend to forget that as a great lover of casual dress who can't remember the last time I wore pantyhose   Today in church I sat behind a young man wearing a tee shirt earned from a local mud run.  Every time he leaned over I could read a caption that was one replacement letter away from being obscene...sigh...I still don't want to wear pantyhose but I should remember what my grandparents taught by deed and word and apply it in my own life.  Perhaps, should I be so blessed, my future grandchildren will learn it as well.

It's Sunday!

...just smile and still shake those hands.

Danny Gokey - Hope In Front of Me - Official Music Video

No Longer Lost

Today we spent more money than I would have liked treating a dog in our household for a painful but treatable condition.  After paying the veterinarian, I entertained the fanciful wish that Obama Care would cover pets, even though I know it is our responsibility to care for this faithful and loving dog.  The stewardship given to the first man, Adam, still applies today.  So I write this trying to come to peace with the latest hit to our bank account.  This former pound puppy is truly well worth the cost. 
I'm thankful that Jesus didn't measure my worth when He went to the cross to redeem my soul.  He did it for love.  In a way we are all pound puppies who've been brought into the Master's household.  No longer lost, no longer orphans, we are sons and daughters of the King.

Orphan Girl - Gillian Welch 

I'm Waiting

I'm waiting right now for the men in my house to return from an out-of-town trip.  It isn't the easiest thing for me even though it's been nearly nine years since we survived a catastrophic auto accident, and I wonder if it will ever be easy.  So I wait; and, not until the anxious waiting turns to waiting on the Lord, do I find the courage and strength to wait.  

Britt Nicole - The Lost Get Found

Because Sometimes In Life...

...we just have to hold on and try to enjoy the ride.

Finding Favour - Cast My Cares (Official Lyric Video)

Sweet Remembrance

Revelation 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

I found comfort for my soul in the song, "Take My Home" by the Digital Age after visiting my loved one in the care facility where he did indeed "suffer unto death."  He yet remained brave and faithful to His Lord until He was called home, five months ago today.  So this Memorial Day while the men in my home worked their retail jobs, I had the time to upload the song to Youtube for my own remembrance of this man; and I found the time spent to be sweet.

  

Philippians 1:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

"Take Me Home" - The Digital Age

I Still Love Cows

Hebrews 13:16 English Standard Version (ESV

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Psalm 85:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,

    and our land will yield its increase.

It's Sunday!

Methodist Church in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It's also the weekend we remember those who gave their all.

Faith of Our Fathers (Interlude) - 4Him 

Wonderful Grace of Jesus [Live]

God Bless the Women Who Fear the Lord

In this culture that focuses so much on youth and physical beauty, we don't always see the women who focus on God.  May we look on these women that God finds beautiful and give them praise... It also wouldn't hurt to use them as role models.
  
P.S. I'm talking to you my sweet sisters. 

A Reminder to Pray...

...for traveling mercies for all those on the roads this Memorial Day weekend.

Traveling Mercies - The Lost Dogs

Nichole Nordeman - The Unmaking (Lyric Video)

My Godly Heritage

Psalm 127:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

    the fruit of the womb a reward.

I've been enjoying tonight the company of the young man, who doesn't want to be blogged about and who's living in our house this summer.  Since God in his wisdom decided to give me only one child, I'm so very thankful it is him.  I could write more, but I think I'll just enjoy my heart that is filled to overflowing with God's love.  He has rewarded me.

Chelsea Moon w/ the Franz Brothers - I Need Thee Every Hour

Altogether Beautiful

Philippians 1:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23New American Standard Bible (NASB)

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

I see flaws.  I see flaws in others but mostly in myself.  It's hard to imagine that there will be a day when my Savior sees no flaws in me.  But that day is coming; and, until that day, perhaps I should see the flaws as beauty marks, because my Savior is making me beautiful.  I pray that I may show the same grace to others, seeing not flaws, but marked people being made beautiful by the one who allowed himself to be broken and scarred in order to redeem us in love, perfect without spot or blemish.

Sanctified (feat Victoria Williams, Buddy Miller & Julie Miller)

Rush of Fools - Lay Me Down (Official Lyric Video)

Because Today I'm Remembering...

...an anniversary.  

Good Day for Marrying You - Dave Barnes

I Like This

It's Sunday!

House of the Lord - West Coast Revival

A Good Word

When The Saints Go Marching In - B.B. KIng

Because Everybody Ought To Know...

Street evangelist, holding a meeting in front of a saloon, ca.1908

2 Timothy 4:2 New International Version (NIV)

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Mark 16:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

1 Corinthians 1:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Acts 28:31English Standard Version (ESV)

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

...who Jesus is.  I liked this old photograph and the holy boldness of the street preacher.  May God use me, his fearful, shy child to tell others about Him.

Bill & Gloria Gaither - Everybody Ought to Know (Live)

Yoked But Still Free

Galatians 5:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Romans 8:1-2English Standard Version (ESV)

Life in the Spirit

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Galatians 5:13-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 8:36 English Standard Version (ESV)

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

He Set Me Free - Thad Cockrell

Matthew 11:30 New International Version (NIV)

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It's fine and good to live as if someone left the gate open, as long as you still plan to be obedient to the one who opened the gate.  If the Master says, "Come!" will you come?  We have a rescue dog who lived the first part of her life without a master or a real home.  She's much improved but still struggles to remember she does not belong to herself.  She's prone to drop and roll with delight on the first grassy lawn that appeals to her even if it's not her master's lawn and even if she's still on a leash.  I may have to be on fire before I'd drop and roll but I still have my own ways to rebel against the Master who loves me so.  

Father may I gladly bear your yoke.

Unadjusted to This World...

John 17:15-18 New International Version (NIV)

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Romans 12:2English Standard Version (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]

1 Corinthians 16:13New International Version (NIV)

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

...and I pray that I never will be.

I Don't Want to Get Adjusted to This World - Iris Dement 

I Like This

Firelight - Matt Maher

Baby Mine

Baby Mine - Alison Krauss

Jamie Grace - Fighter (Official Music Video)

It's Sunday!

Bring the moms to church!  Actually, it would be good to honor all the women in our lives, mothers or not.

I Don't Know Who She Is...

...but this mom deserves a shout out for teaching her girls to iron their own cotton dresses.  Sigh. I still hate ironing.  If the babe in her arms is a boy he won't be holding an iron as soon as he can reach the ironing board.  Then again, I never had to mow the lawn.

Philippians 2:14-15 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Galatians 6:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 For each will have to bear his own load.

I just checked the link to the picture.   The baby is a girl named Mavis.

Plumb — "Lord I’m Ready Now" (Live and Unplugged)

Another Lesson From Mayberry

Ephesians 6:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:12English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Andy teaches Opie responsibility

Tough Love Moms

Proverbs 22:6 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;

    even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Summer is here for the young man who's been living in a dorm, but doesn't want to be blogged about; and he'll soon be living in my house again.  I'm looking forward to it but I suspect the happiest one in our house will be his dog.

I do know, when summer ends, I'll have to practice tough love on myself if not my son, who will likely be willing and possibly glad to return to college.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll be glad too?  Not his dog, however, he'll be happy if his boy never grows up or if dogs can live in dorms.  He'll have to settle for a summer of joy; and, for all of us, it will be enough.

Building 429 - Press On (Official Music Video)

No There Isn't

This is just a reminder that my God is bigger than I too often think He is.  

I Sing the Mighty Power of God [Live]

Hidden In the Rock

Isaiah 26:4 New International Version (NIV)

4 Trust in the Lord forever,

    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages”

― Charles H. Spurgeon

Hide Thou Me - Iris Dement

Selah - People Of The Cross

Just Feed Them

Atkinson Fox

John 21:17 New International Version (NIV)

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

I was reading a bulletin handout today about a conference for church leadership and growth and finding myself mildly disturbed by it.  Is it necessary?  Do we really want successful business people to teach us how to church?  Is this how Jesus wants us to feed His sheep?  I have to wonder.  

Dallas Holm & Praise - Feed My Sheep

H.G.Theaker

Vertical Church Band - Come Ye Sinners (Live Performance)

Another Reason to Keep Working

Proverbs 14:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 In all toil there is profit,

    but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Stars In the Night Acoustic Version - Tenth Avenue North

It's Sunday!

The boys are back!

How I Feel When...

1 Timothy 5:18 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Ephesians 6:5 Living Bible (TLB

5 Slaves, obey your masters; be eager to give them your very best. Serve them as you would Christ.

Romans 4:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

Colossians 3:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

...when I'm set free from my work cubicle!  I'm working Saturdays now, which is  new for me, strange as it may seem for all the years I've been an American worker.  I was in my cubicle this May Day, a day to honor workers, and read about the protests later.  I'm not sure what they accomplished besides some mayhem and news coverage.  The Bible, which gives both workers and employers directions, is our best employee manual but is also sadly underused in the workplace.  We believers then do become, by example, living Bibles to our coworkers.  We're working for Jesus as well as for a paycheck, and our God is also our God of the cubicles.

The Franz Family / "Somewhere In Glory" (Live in Studio)

I Needed This Today

Love your neighbor as yourself