Date: April 27, 2013
Passage: Ephesians 2
Scripture:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." verses 4-7
Observation:
God - the creator, ruler, ordainer, and controller of everything - simply because of His great love for us, has provided a way for us to be raised up from our filthy, despicable, sinful state, and made us able (through the salvation paid for by His Son) to one day sit in Heaven in His pure and holy presence, and enjoy all it's beauty and wonder and pleasure; that in the ages to come, He can always be showing us more of the unending riches of His grace and kindness to us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Application:
I was reading Ephesians 2 one morning this past week, and suddenly that beautiful phrase stopped me dead cold. That in the ages to come...
How often I sigh because of happinesses that have not lasted. For example, hobbies that must be set aside for work, favorite seasons that fade to the next one, a good book that comes to an end. But mostly things like, those I love that are no longer near me, friendships that lose their closness of fellowship because of distance, people that change, and memories of good times that are no more.
That in the ages to come...
What a beautiful, beautiful phrase. Because of the unbelieveable mercy and kindess of the one true God, those that are His will have ages ahead of them to enjoy all that is pure and right and good and noble and true. Separation from the ones we love will be non-existent. Music will be so exquisite that it would probably kill us if we heard it here on earth in our weak human state. Learning will be enjoyable, because we will be learning more of the only One Who is worthy - the One Who makes anything good on earth or in Heaven worth wanting. The sights and beauties will be such as we never saw in the most amazing art or the most stunning view on earth. And our hearts will be pure, and we will be able - and will, with all our might - worship the great I Am with all the glory He deserves.
And there will be ages of it.
Prayer:
"Lord, help me keep in perspective the 'ages to come'. Help me to enjoy what You have blessed me with here on this earth, but not mourn so strongly when it is no longer here - after all, the world is inherently temporary, but what matters most will one day belong to Your children forever. Help me to remember the ages of joy to come!"
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
"5 Small Things Friday" No. 82
Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".
For this week, here is my list:
1. Sight: Long-haired Girl
2. Hearing:
3. Smell:
4. Taste:
5. Touch: Sunshine And Breeze
The stories behind the list:
1. Tuesday while I was working at the restaurant, two teen-agers (a boy and a girl) came and ordered food. That's not so out-of-the-ordinary, obviously, but what was, was that the girl had hair - I kid you not - so long that it touched the bench beside her when they sat down at one of the patio tables to eat! It was healthy and thick and absolutely gorgeous.
2.
3.
4.
5. It's that perfect type of Spring weather right now - sunshine-y and warm, but breezy and perfectly comfortable. I went outside with the afterschool kids Tuesday afternoon and sat in one of the chairs, letting the soothing sunshine and gentle breeze soak deep into my bones.
Friday, April 12, 2013
"5 Small Things Friday" No. 80
Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".
For this week, here is my list:
1. Sight: Mrs. Renae And Her Girls
2. Hearing:
3. Smell: Bar-B-Q Chicken
4. Taste: Sunday Dinner
5. Touch: Hug From Lindsay / Austin And The Dishtowel
The stories behind the list:
1. Thursday morning I was working at the restaurant when Mrs. Renae, Lela, and her other little girl came through the drive-thru. Lela had made honor role at VRCA and had a coupon for a free ice cream cone. When the silver SUV's nose pulled up, I was not expecting Mrs. Renae's face to be the one smiling at me from the driver's side window, nor Lela's from the back. It was such a precious surprise to see those pretty faces. I squealed in my excitement as I exclaimed, 'Hang on, I've got to come around and give y'all a hug!' By the time I'd run through the back and out the side door, Lela was already out of the vehicle, Mrs. Renae was getting out, and the little one was waving from the seat on the other side. Oh how wonderful it was to see them! How painful, but how wonderful!
2.
3. Mom made bar-b-q chicken as part of our Sunday lunch and when I came in Sunday morning from going to make The Grandparents' breakfast, I could smell it. Oh man it made me hungry! It smelled so good!
4. In addition to the bar-b-q chicken, Mom and Trissy made scalloped potatoes (I think they were about the best I've ever had), cooked black-eyed peas, and toasted buttered cornbread in a skillet on the stove (what we call 'fried cornbread'). A king never ate a tastier meal.
5. I tell about these two stories in this post.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
An 'Awesome' Sunday
I am not at all in the habit of using the word "awesome" to describe things, but in light of the great blessing the Lord gave me in this Sunday, I think it's almost worthy of the word.
The morning dawned beautifully. I went up to The Grandparents' to fix their breakfast (we've been taking turns doing that - it makes it easier for them on a busy morning trying to get ready for church), and the air had a little chill in it, but the sunshine was warm and sweet.
I finished helping them, and came back to the house, in high spirits and ready for my own breakfast, looking forward to a morning at the Lord's house. Later as I was getting ready, I got a message from Noel, reminding everyone that this morning was the start of Justice's New Testament Survey Sunday school class, and I felt an even greater expectation!
Justice was making the class available to whoever wanted to take it in the church, not just the college class, so Dad and Mom had signed up to take it as well. Because it was going to be more people than usual, we were going to meet in the larger classroom downstairs under the youth room, in the gym across the street from the church building. We were running a little late, so we parked in the small lot behind the church (closer to the gym), and as Dad and Mom gathered their Bibles and things, they told Trissy and me to go ahead and go to the classroom, so Justice would know we were there and on our way.
Trissy and I started across the little lot behind the church building, toward the street that separates the church from the gym and it's parking lot and the big, empty, grassy lot that also serves as spare parking space. The morning sun was beautiful, the air was crisp and clear, and we strolled along breathing deeply of the Spring sweetness.
Trissy suddenly called my attention to a tall young figure crossing the grassy lot quite a ways ahead of us. It was Law, heading to his Sunday School class in the youth room.
"There goes Mr. S." she commented, smiling.
I looked up. "Mmhmm" I hadn't noticed him yet, but his bright red polo made him hard to miss.
He strode along comfortably with a firm, unhurried step, his shoulders straight and his head up, moving gently, as if he were enjoying the beautiful morning. Less than a year ago, he would have ambled indifferently along, his shoulders slumped a little forward, and his gaze for the most part turned downward.
Taking note of the difference, my heart felt fit to burst with thankfulness for the Lord's work in that young heart.
Justice was the only one in the classroom when we walked in, but his mom was right behind us, then Noel, Autumn, and Aron's cousin's husband. Toby hobbled in, his leg in a brace after surgery for a torn ACL, and another older couple filled out the class. Justice said Austin was going to be leading the music service this morning, and he was getting the last details taken care of, so he and Ava might be late. We went ahead and started, but they came in pretty soon.
It was a good class, and I think we're going to learn alot. And such a wonderful, comfortable, combination of old times and new times! The thought kept running through my mind, "This is so right. This feels so right."
Later in the choir room, as the choir members trickled in, Lindsay (who has been singing with us off-and-on for several months) came up to me, said good morning, and shyly gave me what I call a 'greeting hug' (which I kindof explain in this post :) ). As she stepped back, she said, in her soft feminine way, 'You look pretty today. Well,' she paused and tilted her head as if correcting herself, 'you always look pretty. I love your hair.'
I was caught off guard.
'Aw,' I kindof ducked my head, and smiled in confusion, 'Thank you!'
I didn't know what to say! I was completely taken by surprise. Seldom am I told that I am pretty - which is convenient, because I know it's not true, and it's nice to not have to try to come up with a polite response.
But coming from a modern teen-age girl, it meant so much - to think that maybe I had been able to influence her enough as a friend for her to want to reach back out to me in her own way.
As the choir walked out in our single-file line, I saw that, not only was Austin leading, but the instruments were switched up too.
Usually, Bro. Blake leads, Lydia plays acoustic guitar, Austin is on electric, and Bro. Dennis on bass, with Simon on drums, and a young woman of the church (whose husband is a veterinarian - just a random FYI fact :) ) plays the piano. This morning though, Austin was playing acoustic guitar (in addition to leading the singing), Bro. Dennis was on electric, and Law on bass! I don't think Law has been on bass for a Sunday morning service since Bro. Blake was put in charge of the music. Simon was still on drums and the lady on the piano, but Bro. Blake was incorporating some extra percussion (tambourine and cajon) that isn't usually used.
Walking out and seeing this setup rejoiced my heart.
And the service just kept getting better as we began to sing.
My heart was so glad. I kept getting that thought again, "This is right. This is so right."
I know that, as a child of God, my joy is not dependent on my circumstances. The Lord never changes; He remains the amazing, caring, dependable, trustworthy Friend that He was when I first met Him. He will never go somewhere where I cannot be around Him anymore. He will never disappoint me. He will never make a mistake or let me down. He is always available to put His arms around me and let me lean into Him. He is the true source of anything good or enjoyable that is part of my life. HE is.
And yet I would be denying a fact of life if I tried to pretend that circumstances do not influence the way a Christian feels. Christians are not immune to sorrow or happiness. They are just as prone to emotion, doubt, struggle, and soaring victory as a person is who does not know God. The difference is that we have the Lord as our Friend and help. He guides us and helps us through difficult, as well as victorious times. And He uses both the really hard and the really great times to mold us into who He wants us to be.
Today was one of those really great days.
I guess pretty much the only thing that happened to mar the beauty of the day, was choir practice.
There were alot of people out, I guess because of Spring Break, and it was a really small crowd. There were only two in the 'men' (tenor and bass) section, and those were the two fifth-grade boys who have been singing with us for the past couple of months. I sing tenor, so when I went up into the choir, I sat by them.
I'm thankful to say that Bro. Dennis still comes and sings in the choir, even though he technically doesn't even have to be there anymore. There's usually at least one other man that is there to sing tenor, but he wasn't there this afternoon. So when Bro. Dennis came in a little late, I moved over a space, so he could sit next to the boys.
I pretty much couldn't concentrate the rest of practice. We were working on songs from a book Bro. Dennis had used with us last year. And here he was, in the choir instead of leading it. Sitting next to me, and yet a stranger. The man who taught me as much (probably more) about practical Christian living, about how to knowledgeably yet respectfully defend the Faith, about choosing joy, about reliance on and faith in the sovereignty of God, than any other preacher or teacher I've ever had. One of my heroes of the Faith. Just, gone.
I didn't feel that bitter piercing pain, only a dull sad ache. How I wished that I dared turn to him and say simply, "I miss you."
Of course I didn't, but I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if I did? Inside, my heart spoke quietly on; quiet, but so deeply hurting. "I miss you. Why did you leave? Where did you go? Will you ever come back? I know you're still in there somewhere. Aren't you? Do you even exist anymore? Deep down, are you still in there, or is this stranger here to stay? To replace you? Please come back. I miss you. And I'm not the only one. Do you not see the pain in the eyes of others here who love you?"
My mind wandered to memories of happy choir practices only a couple of years ago. When Bro. Jack and Mrs. Janet, Bro. Mike and Camille, Mrs Carrie, Mrs. Renae, and Bro. Blake were still in it. When laughter and music were strong because they went together. When Bro. Dennis's merry heart and musical knowledge refused to be beaten by our amateurity, and he'd whip us into shape with his wit and talent.
Yeah, choir practice was really hard.
But aside from that, the rest of the evening was pleasant. And after church, our college fellowship supper was at Austin and Ava's. They made spaghetti together - dear Ava's biggest source of remorse is the fact that she can't cook. But she's serious about learning, and her experiments so far have turned out quite well. I hate to be at someone's house without helping out somehow, so she put me and Aron's little cousin to making garlic bread. Aron, Henley, and Timothy were there, Aron's cousin and her husband, toddler son, and little sister, Justice and Noel and Justice's younger brother Tanner, Austin and Ava of course, and me. Trissy was tired out from a long week of school, so she didn't go.
It seemed like such a small group, but it was pleasant and relaxing.
After supper, the guys were outside trying to fix Tanner's truck that wouldn't start, Aron and Henley and Aron's cousin's family had already left to get the kids to bed, and Noel was watching the progress on the truck. I made Ava let me help her clean the kitchen, and we had a good talk about plans for the future, how God uses events in our lives, and how He's been working recently, as I washed and she dried and put away the dishes.
We were nearly done. The guys had gotten Tanner's truck running, and they came in to see how we were getting along before Justice, Noel, and Tanner said goodnight and left.
I finished drying the salad tongs that had been used to serve the spaghetti noodles, and asked where they were supposed to be put. Austin opened a drawer.
"Oh. These are salad tongs." I said as I put them in, pretending to just then figure out their use. "Salad tongs." I emphasized to Austin, waving my hands under his nose as he bent to shut the drawer.
'Yeah, that's why we're using them for spaghetti,' he returned, completely unruffled. Austin does not like vegetables.
Ava spoke up from where she was putting up the plates. 'Austin doesn't really eat salads.' She made a disapproving face.
'Don't worry,' I reassured her, as Austin took the towel from me to dry his hands and I turned back to the sink for another dish. 'We'll convert him yet.'
Austin finished drying his hands. 'Good luck,' he replied. He draped the towel over my shoulder, patted it sympathetically, and left the kitchen. Ava and I looked at each other and chuckled.
I enjoyed the drive back to the house, tired but happily reliving the memories of the wonderful day. I turned off the highway onto our dirt road and drove slowly up the little hill, savoring the sight of the bright summer stars above the cool smoothness of the pasture grass on my left. I turned into our drive on the right and parked, got out, and walked back to the end of the drive - which faces that pasture - and stood at the end, staring up at the stars. The air had that delicate yet hardy touch of cool-in-warmth that is so typical of Spring evenings. It wasn't cool, it wasn't warm, it was fresh and it was perfect. I saw the tiny blinking lights of two airplanes and the darting path of a shooting star. My heart was so full.
I stood there quite a while, wishing I could look for hours, and resolving that I was going to spend the night sleeping under the stars some day.
When I turned to go back to the house though, the picture that met my sight touched my heart just as strongly as the one I was turning from, though in a completely different way.
Our house (it's actually a double-wide trailer that Dad's improved and built on to), sits back a little from the dirt road. The front outside light was on, and the big oak in our front yard was a radiating silhouette, lit up magically by the light behind it. The windows of the house glowed a cozy golden. My steps made a satisfying crunching sound on the gravelly drive, and my heart was leaning considerably to the lighter side as I went in.
The morning dawned beautifully. I went up to The Grandparents' to fix their breakfast (we've been taking turns doing that - it makes it easier for them on a busy morning trying to get ready for church), and the air had a little chill in it, but the sunshine was warm and sweet.
I finished helping them, and came back to the house, in high spirits and ready for my own breakfast, looking forward to a morning at the Lord's house. Later as I was getting ready, I got a message from Noel, reminding everyone that this morning was the start of Justice's New Testament Survey Sunday school class, and I felt an even greater expectation!
Justice was making the class available to whoever wanted to take it in the church, not just the college class, so Dad and Mom had signed up to take it as well. Because it was going to be more people than usual, we were going to meet in the larger classroom downstairs under the youth room, in the gym across the street from the church building. We were running a little late, so we parked in the small lot behind the church (closer to the gym), and as Dad and Mom gathered their Bibles and things, they told Trissy and me to go ahead and go to the classroom, so Justice would know we were there and on our way.
Trissy and I started across the little lot behind the church building, toward the street that separates the church from the gym and it's parking lot and the big, empty, grassy lot that also serves as spare parking space. The morning sun was beautiful, the air was crisp and clear, and we strolled along breathing deeply of the Spring sweetness.
Trissy suddenly called my attention to a tall young figure crossing the grassy lot quite a ways ahead of us. It was Law, heading to his Sunday School class in the youth room.
"There goes Mr. S." she commented, smiling.
I looked up. "Mmhmm" I hadn't noticed him yet, but his bright red polo made him hard to miss.
He strode along comfortably with a firm, unhurried step, his shoulders straight and his head up, moving gently, as if he were enjoying the beautiful morning. Less than a year ago, he would have ambled indifferently along, his shoulders slumped a little forward, and his gaze for the most part turned downward.
Taking note of the difference, my heart felt fit to burst with thankfulness for the Lord's work in that young heart.
Justice was the only one in the classroom when we walked in, but his mom was right behind us, then Noel, Autumn, and Aron's cousin's husband. Toby hobbled in, his leg in a brace after surgery for a torn ACL, and another older couple filled out the class. Justice said Austin was going to be leading the music service this morning, and he was getting the last details taken care of, so he and Ava might be late. We went ahead and started, but they came in pretty soon.
It was a good class, and I think we're going to learn alot. And such a wonderful, comfortable, combination of old times and new times! The thought kept running through my mind, "This is so right. This feels so right."
Later in the choir room, as the choir members trickled in, Lindsay (who has been singing with us off-and-on for several months) came up to me, said good morning, and shyly gave me what I call a 'greeting hug' (which I kindof explain in this post :) ). As she stepped back, she said, in her soft feminine way, 'You look pretty today. Well,' she paused and tilted her head as if correcting herself, 'you always look pretty. I love your hair.'
I was caught off guard.
'Aw,' I kindof ducked my head, and smiled in confusion, 'Thank you!'
I didn't know what to say! I was completely taken by surprise. Seldom am I told that I am pretty - which is convenient, because I know it's not true, and it's nice to not have to try to come up with a polite response.
But coming from a modern teen-age girl, it meant so much - to think that maybe I had been able to influence her enough as a friend for her to want to reach back out to me in her own way.
As the choir walked out in our single-file line, I saw that, not only was Austin leading, but the instruments were switched up too.
Usually, Bro. Blake leads, Lydia plays acoustic guitar, Austin is on electric, and Bro. Dennis on bass, with Simon on drums, and a young woman of the church (whose husband is a veterinarian - just a random FYI fact :) ) plays the piano. This morning though, Austin was playing acoustic guitar (in addition to leading the singing), Bro. Dennis was on electric, and Law on bass! I don't think Law has been on bass for a Sunday morning service since Bro. Blake was put in charge of the music. Simon was still on drums and the lady on the piano, but Bro. Blake was incorporating some extra percussion (tambourine and cajon) that isn't usually used.
Walking out and seeing this setup rejoiced my heart.
And the service just kept getting better as we began to sing.
My heart was so glad. I kept getting that thought again, "This is right. This is so right."
I know that, as a child of God, my joy is not dependent on my circumstances. The Lord never changes; He remains the amazing, caring, dependable, trustworthy Friend that He was when I first met Him. He will never go somewhere where I cannot be around Him anymore. He will never disappoint me. He will never make a mistake or let me down. He is always available to put His arms around me and let me lean into Him. He is the true source of anything good or enjoyable that is part of my life. HE is.
And yet I would be denying a fact of life if I tried to pretend that circumstances do not influence the way a Christian feels. Christians are not immune to sorrow or happiness. They are just as prone to emotion, doubt, struggle, and soaring victory as a person is who does not know God. The difference is that we have the Lord as our Friend and help. He guides us and helps us through difficult, as well as victorious times. And He uses both the really hard and the really great times to mold us into who He wants us to be.
Today was one of those really great days.
I guess pretty much the only thing that happened to mar the beauty of the day, was choir practice.
There were alot of people out, I guess because of Spring Break, and it was a really small crowd. There were only two in the 'men' (tenor and bass) section, and those were the two fifth-grade boys who have been singing with us for the past couple of months. I sing tenor, so when I went up into the choir, I sat by them.
I'm thankful to say that Bro. Dennis still comes and sings in the choir, even though he technically doesn't even have to be there anymore. There's usually at least one other man that is there to sing tenor, but he wasn't there this afternoon. So when Bro. Dennis came in a little late, I moved over a space, so he could sit next to the boys.
I pretty much couldn't concentrate the rest of practice. We were working on songs from a book Bro. Dennis had used with us last year. And here he was, in the choir instead of leading it. Sitting next to me, and yet a stranger. The man who taught me as much (probably more) about practical Christian living, about how to knowledgeably yet respectfully defend the Faith, about choosing joy, about reliance on and faith in the sovereignty of God, than any other preacher or teacher I've ever had. One of my heroes of the Faith. Just, gone.
I didn't feel that bitter piercing pain, only a dull sad ache. How I wished that I dared turn to him and say simply, "I miss you."
Of course I didn't, but I couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if I did? Inside, my heart spoke quietly on; quiet, but so deeply hurting. "I miss you. Why did you leave? Where did you go? Will you ever come back? I know you're still in there somewhere. Aren't you? Do you even exist anymore? Deep down, are you still in there, or is this stranger here to stay? To replace you? Please come back. I miss you. And I'm not the only one. Do you not see the pain in the eyes of others here who love you?"
My mind wandered to memories of happy choir practices only a couple of years ago. When Bro. Jack and Mrs. Janet, Bro. Mike and Camille, Mrs Carrie, Mrs. Renae, and Bro. Blake were still in it. When laughter and music were strong because they went together. When Bro. Dennis's merry heart and musical knowledge refused to be beaten by our amateurity, and he'd whip us into shape with his wit and talent.
Yeah, choir practice was really hard.
But aside from that, the rest of the evening was pleasant. And after church, our college fellowship supper was at Austin and Ava's. They made spaghetti together - dear Ava's biggest source of remorse is the fact that she can't cook. But she's serious about learning, and her experiments so far have turned out quite well. I hate to be at someone's house without helping out somehow, so she put me and Aron's little cousin to making garlic bread. Aron, Henley, and Timothy were there, Aron's cousin and her husband, toddler son, and little sister, Justice and Noel and Justice's younger brother Tanner, Austin and Ava of course, and me. Trissy was tired out from a long week of school, so she didn't go.
It seemed like such a small group, but it was pleasant and relaxing.
After supper, the guys were outside trying to fix Tanner's truck that wouldn't start, Aron and Henley and Aron's cousin's family had already left to get the kids to bed, and Noel was watching the progress on the truck. I made Ava let me help her clean the kitchen, and we had a good talk about plans for the future, how God uses events in our lives, and how He's been working recently, as I washed and she dried and put away the dishes.
We were nearly done. The guys had gotten Tanner's truck running, and they came in to see how we were getting along before Justice, Noel, and Tanner said goodnight and left.
I finished drying the salad tongs that had been used to serve the spaghetti noodles, and asked where they were supposed to be put. Austin opened a drawer.
"Oh. These are salad tongs." I said as I put them in, pretending to just then figure out their use. "Salad tongs." I emphasized to Austin, waving my hands under his nose as he bent to shut the drawer.
'Yeah, that's why we're using them for spaghetti,' he returned, completely unruffled. Austin does not like vegetables.
Ava spoke up from where she was putting up the plates. 'Austin doesn't really eat salads.' She made a disapproving face.
'Don't worry,' I reassured her, as Austin took the towel from me to dry his hands and I turned back to the sink for another dish. 'We'll convert him yet.'
Austin finished drying his hands. 'Good luck,' he replied. He draped the towel over my shoulder, patted it sympathetically, and left the kitchen. Ava and I looked at each other and chuckled.
I enjoyed the drive back to the house, tired but happily reliving the memories of the wonderful day. I turned off the highway onto our dirt road and drove slowly up the little hill, savoring the sight of the bright summer stars above the cool smoothness of the pasture grass on my left. I turned into our drive on the right and parked, got out, and walked back to the end of the drive - which faces that pasture - and stood at the end, staring up at the stars. The air had that delicate yet hardy touch of cool-in-warmth that is so typical of Spring evenings. It wasn't cool, it wasn't warm, it was fresh and it was perfect. I saw the tiny blinking lights of two airplanes and the darting path of a shooting star. My heart was so full.
I stood there quite a while, wishing I could look for hours, and resolving that I was going to spend the night sleeping under the stars some day.
When I turned to go back to the house though, the picture that met my sight touched my heart just as strongly as the one I was turning from, though in a completely different way.
Our house (it's actually a double-wide trailer that Dad's improved and built on to), sits back a little from the dirt road. The front outside light was on, and the big oak in our front yard was a radiating silhouette, lit up magically by the light behind it. The windows of the house glowed a cozy golden. My steps made a satisfying crunching sound on the gravelly drive, and my heart was leaning considerably to the lighter side as I went in.
Friday, April 5, 2013
"5 Small Things Friday" No. 79
Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".
For this week, here is my list:
1. Sight: Man Praying Over Lunch
2. Hearing: Clocks
3. Smell: Cologne
4. Taste: Strawberries
5. Touch:
The stories behind the list:
1. Thursday morning at the restaurant, a hunter in camouflage, big tall boots, and a camo hat came and ordered a burger meal. When it was ready, I took it to the pick-up window, and he came and got it. He went to one of the concrete tables, sat down, took off his cap, and bowed his head before he ate. I've only seen a couple of people do that in the seven months I've been working there, and it was so refreshing and encouraging.
2. Last night I was ready for bed, and I knelt beside my bed to pray before I crawled in - a practice I started a couple of years ago. I love the thought of my God being the last person I talk to before my day ends.
Anyway, I was kneeling by my bed with my arms resting on it, and my head leaned forward on my arms. Suddenly in the silence, I noticed my watch ticking by my ear. Then my little alarm clock on the shelf above my bed. And then the wall clock in Mom's sewing room beside my bedroom. But they weren't ticking in sinc. Each one was slightly ahead of the next one. Or slightly behind, depending on how you look at it. So together in quick succession, the three ticks sounded, "Tkshnk, tkshnk, tkshnk." It was kind of amusing :) .
3. Wednesday evening I was in the gym with Lindsay, Abigail, Piper, Lindy, and Autumn. It was still a little while before class started, so we were just talking or playing basketball. The outside door opened and one of the teen-age boys came in with a gym bag on his shoulder. He looked a little hot and out of breath, as if he'd come from work and had been rushing. He said hello as he passed through the gym and turned down the hallway that leads to the kitchen. The bathrooms are off that hallway, so presumably he was going to change. In a couple of minutes he came back through in different clothes and looking quite refreshed. A little later I went through the hallway for something, and the strong scent of cologne hit me. It wasn't unpleasant, but I had to laugh!
4. Strawberries were on sale this week and Mom bought some as a treat. We've always been fruit-lovers, but since we've been cutting back even more on our sweets and desserts, we've been eating alot more fruit. Tuesday Mom went grocery shopping and I asked her to get two extra cartons and I'd pay for them. When she got back to the house, I helped her unload nad put away the groceries, ant then washed and ate nearly all of one of those cartons of strawberries all by myself!
5.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
(Past) Thoughts On: Love
I was doing some cleaning out today and found this brainstorm I'd scribbled on a sheet of scrap paper about a year ago. It must have been about a year ago, maybe a little more, because the back of the sheet had my notes printed on it from the presentation I did for the teenage class at The Grandparents' church (which I tell about in this post) in March of last year. I remember I was really feeling convicted about how I treated others, and was thinking alot about what it really means to love. I was with Mom and Trissy shopping, and while they went in a store, I sat in the car and wrote. These scribbled notes were the honest, candid beginnings of the thoughts I began to write down on this subject (and included on this blog in my Thoughts On: Love post) - one I still struggle with from time to time.
"
What does it mean to love?
How do you know when you love someone?
It's so easy to love the loveable. What about the despicable?
How do you channel your love in order to use it's power to accomplish the Goal? What are the best and most effective ways?
What is the Goal? - To serve and please God by: Leading the lost to him, and by encouraging and edifying His children.
Pray for love. Beg God to give you the love you don't have, and to tell you how to use the love you do have.
The only way to love is to first be loved.
I love because I have been loved. I am loved because I love.
But one that has been loved, does not necessarily love. *Sigh* It's all so simple, but so confusing.
Is love just love, or are there degrees to love? If you 'love' one person a little bit, but 'love' another person so much that you'd die for them, do you really love either?
"
"
What does it mean to love?
How do you know when you love someone?
It's so easy to love the loveable. What about the despicable?
How do you channel your love in order to use it's power to accomplish the Goal? What are the best and most effective ways?
What is the Goal? - To serve and please God by: Leading the lost to him, and by encouraging and edifying His children.
Pray for love. Beg God to give you the love you don't have, and to tell you how to use the love you do have.
The only way to love is to first be loved.
I love because I have been loved. I am loved because I love.
But one that has been loved, does not necessarily love. *Sigh* It's all so simple, but so confusing.
Is love just love, or are there degrees to love? If you 'love' one person a little bit, but 'love' another person so much that you'd die for them, do you really love either?
"
Monday, April 1, 2013
Easter - 2013
The day began beautifully, with Dad, Trissy and me attending the Easter Sunrise Service in the parking lot of The Grandparents' church. It was a lovely morning - fresh, and a little chilly. There was a deep fog overhead and curling around the trees in the woods at the edges of the church property, but the sun was coming up high behind the mist, making our atmosphere under the fog bright, cool, and full of a sort of 'wondering'.
The dear song leader, who's been at that church since my childhood, led us acapella in the hymn, "He Lives" and our lifted voices sounded small in the lovely space of the outdoors.
The dear pastor then stood to preach. He'd been a missionary in Albania years ago, at the same time Uncle Alvin and his family had been there. They'd become friends, and his family and ours never lost contact. Now he's the pastor of the church The Grandparents are members of. A Godly man, and a tall, big man; he's always struck me as one of those "larger-than-life" types that legends and stories might have been written about in the old days. And what a heart for good and for God!
He used 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as the Scripture reference, and spoke on "the evidence, the essence, and the effect" of the Gospel.
My (somewhat limited) sermon notes:
"
Bro. _____ ______
Easter Morning - Mar. 31, 2013
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
1) The Essence of the Gospel
* What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
* Christians have Hope.
* All other religious leaders (the creators of all the other major religions) are in their graves still.
* We serve a risen Savior!
2) The Evidence of the Gospel
* He was seen of Cephas (verse 5)
* then of the twelve (verse 5)
* then of more than 500 at once (verse 6).
* How many witnesses do you need?!
* Blessed are those who have not seen, but believe (John 20:29).
* Our present-day Salvation is just as real as their encounters with Him then.
* He's alive, and He's still 'in business' today.
3) The Effect of the Gospel
* verses 2a and 10
* What does God want for/from/through you/your life?
* None of us is living out the full effect of Christ in our lives.
"
It was the first "sunrise service" I'd been to in years; probably the first since my family moved from that church years ago. It was so good to experience one again!
When we got back to our house, Trissy and I quickly ate breakfast and hurried on to Victory Rd. - we were singing in the choir for the Easter program, and Bro. Blake wanted all the choir members to be there early. Dad and Mom would come closer to time for the service to start.
It was a good morning. The morning was still foggy, but bright, as choir members arrived one by one. We convened in the choir room, greeting each other and laughing as we found our formal Easter- and Christmas-Program choir robes and slipped them on over our Sunday outfits, adjusting the reversible collars so the mauve side showed and they hung straight. Bro. Blake led us in an acapella run-through of the first song as a warm-up. People began arriving and filling the auditorium, soon it was time to start, and we lined up and filed out into the choir as we do every Sunday morning.
Bro. Blake led the congregation in the hymn "Because He Lives", and then the choir began our presentation. I think it went the best it has of all our practices and everything! It's a great cantata, using strong songs like "What Held You On The Cross", "The Story Goes On", and "Crucified With Christ". The Lord blessed Bro. Blake to direct us, and our voices to blend and harmonize and soar high, and I hope those who heard it received as big of a blessing from it as I did!
When our program ended, Bro. Jeremiah preached a stirring and victorious sermon about how we, as Christians, have joy and victory and fulfillment in life because of "the third day" - when Jesus our Lord rose from the grave!!
One of my co-workers from the restaurant was there with her grandparents (who are members of Victory Rd.) and as soon as I could after church was over, I went to hug her and talk a few minutes, and say hello to her little two-year-old son. I was so glad to see her! I don't think she knows the Lord - she doesn't live like it anyway - and I want so badly to be a Christian friend and example to her. I hope and pray she soon will accept Jesus's love and peace for herself.
Dear Toby was at church, even with his leg in a brace, and though he had to hobble in on crutches. Lindy sat with him and his family, lending her sweet touch and support. Poor guy, his mom said he's been trying to not take so much of the pain medicine, and he was hurting pretty bad by the time church was over. Between him and Russell (who was home for Easter and is practically an adopted member of that family), after church that pew was pretty much surrounded for a while with church members glad to see those two boys back - wanting to say hello to Russell and express sympathy over Toby's knee.
Trissy had found out that Bro. Nick and Lydia didn't have any plans for the rest of the day, so after a brainstorm, a request to Dad and Mom to invite them over for dinner and the afternoon, and a spur-of-the-moment affirmative decision by our parents, Trissy and I swung by their house as we left the church. We caught them about to leave for lunch, but when we presented our proposition, they gladly accepted.
We had two of the local cousins (Uncle Alvin's oldest son and daughter who live only about 45 minutes away. The son's wife was sick, and the daughter's husband had to work, so they weren't there.) and their children and Bro. Nick and Lydia's family all at The Grandparents for lunch. After cleaning up the kitchen, we sat around and chatted and visited and fellowshipped, while all the kids had a wonderful time together playing in The Grandparents big yard, and in the playhouse that Dad built for Trissy and me when we were small.
Bro. Nick and Lydia left fairly early in the afternoon, but some of the cousins stuck around. Evening church services were canceled at both Victory Rd. and The Grandparents' church (which seems absolutely ridiculous to me - the most important holiday in our Christian faith and church services are canceled?! Makes no sense...), so we spent the rest of the day at The Grandparents, just spending time together.
Most of the adults found a couch or chair or a spot on the floor and curled up with a throw pillow and blanket for a nap. The kids that weren't put down for a nap played outside or read or colored quietly.
Sitting at the computer blogging, I looked over and noticed my cousin's almost-thirteen-year-old son had a thick book with him where he was curled up on the couch, and asked him what he was reading. It was "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis, in one volume. We got started talking about books and authors and styles, and I found out some of his thoughts and opinions on different ones. It was a really great conversation! Come to think of it, we had several really fun conversations throughout the day! He helped The Grandmother get the TV in the living room fixed so that they could watch videos and DVDs on it, and it hasn't worked in months; and over lunch he showed me this neat math trick with nine squares drawn on a piece of paper. I remember when that kid was born, and to see him now growing up so smart and with such good tastes is just such a happy feeling!
When everyone started getting up from naps, the kids asked The Grandmother if they could watch an episode of "Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye" (she has the collection on DVD). Soon the house was humming again - some sitting around the kitchen table looking at pictures and discussing Pinterest ideas, some watching Sue Thomas in the living room (I joined this group and sat and crocheted while watching the show), some raiding the kitchen for a snack from the lunch left-overs, and some of the littlest kiddos still napping on the den floor.
It was a peaceful, fun afternoon that faded to an enjoyable evening.
Trissy wasn't feeling good, so as people began getting ready for bed (one of the cousin's and her kids decided to spend the night), I took her back to our house and then went back to help Mom finish cleaning up. On my way back, I flipped on the radio and heard "I Know My Redeemer Lives", one of the songs from one of the cantatas we did at Victory Rd. several years ago (That seems strange to say, "several years ago". Strange to think we've been at Victory Rd. long enough to be able to say it). Probably my favorite of the Easter cantatas we've done. As I pulled up to The Grandparents' garage, that song ended and the next one started. It was "Great I Am". Sigh.
Mom was still talking with my cousin, so I finished gathering our things and loading up our food and all into our van, then sat and listened to their conversation until Mom was ready to go. Not that I was anti-social or anything, it had just been a long day, I'd been missing alot of sleep lately, and I was really tired.
When we got back to the house, I helped Mom unload everything, got a couple of sheets, and sank into the recliner in our living room. I was so tired, I didn't even want to change out of my regular clothes into pajamas so I could sleep in my bed. But I went to sleep with a full, grateful heart, and slept probably the best I have in weeks.
The dear song leader, who's been at that church since my childhood, led us acapella in the hymn, "He Lives" and our lifted voices sounded small in the lovely space of the outdoors.
The dear pastor then stood to preach. He'd been a missionary in Albania years ago, at the same time Uncle Alvin and his family had been there. They'd become friends, and his family and ours never lost contact. Now he's the pastor of the church The Grandparents are members of. A Godly man, and a tall, big man; he's always struck me as one of those "larger-than-life" types that legends and stories might have been written about in the old days. And what a heart for good and for God!
He used 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as the Scripture reference, and spoke on "the evidence, the essence, and the effect" of the Gospel.
My (somewhat limited) sermon notes:
"
Bro. _____ ______
Easter Morning - Mar. 31, 2013
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
1) The Essence of the Gospel
* What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
* Christians have Hope.
* All other religious leaders (the creators of all the other major religions) are in their graves still.
* We serve a risen Savior!
2) The Evidence of the Gospel
* He was seen of Cephas (verse 5)
* then of the twelve (verse 5)
* then of more than 500 at once (verse 6).
* How many witnesses do you need?!
* Blessed are those who have not seen, but believe (John 20:29).
* Our present-day Salvation is just as real as their encounters with Him then.
* He's alive, and He's still 'in business' today.
3) The Effect of the Gospel
* verses 2a and 10
* What does God want for/from/through you/your life?
* None of us is living out the full effect of Christ in our lives.
"
It was the first "sunrise service" I'd been to in years; probably the first since my family moved from that church years ago. It was so good to experience one again!
When we got back to our house, Trissy and I quickly ate breakfast and hurried on to Victory Rd. - we were singing in the choir for the Easter program, and Bro. Blake wanted all the choir members to be there early. Dad and Mom would come closer to time for the service to start.
It was a good morning. The morning was still foggy, but bright, as choir members arrived one by one. We convened in the choir room, greeting each other and laughing as we found our formal Easter- and Christmas-Program choir robes and slipped them on over our Sunday outfits, adjusting the reversible collars so the mauve side showed and they hung straight. Bro. Blake led us in an acapella run-through of the first song as a warm-up. People began arriving and filling the auditorium, soon it was time to start, and we lined up and filed out into the choir as we do every Sunday morning.
Bro. Blake led the congregation in the hymn "Because He Lives", and then the choir began our presentation. I think it went the best it has of all our practices and everything! It's a great cantata, using strong songs like "What Held You On The Cross", "The Story Goes On", and "Crucified With Christ". The Lord blessed Bro. Blake to direct us, and our voices to blend and harmonize and soar high, and I hope those who heard it received as big of a blessing from it as I did!
When our program ended, Bro. Jeremiah preached a stirring and victorious sermon about how we, as Christians, have joy and victory and fulfillment in life because of "the third day" - when Jesus our Lord rose from the grave!!
One of my co-workers from the restaurant was there with her grandparents (who are members of Victory Rd.) and as soon as I could after church was over, I went to hug her and talk a few minutes, and say hello to her little two-year-old son. I was so glad to see her! I don't think she knows the Lord - she doesn't live like it anyway - and I want so badly to be a Christian friend and example to her. I hope and pray she soon will accept Jesus's love and peace for herself.
Dear Toby was at church, even with his leg in a brace, and though he had to hobble in on crutches. Lindy sat with him and his family, lending her sweet touch and support. Poor guy, his mom said he's been trying to not take so much of the pain medicine, and he was hurting pretty bad by the time church was over. Between him and Russell (who was home for Easter and is practically an adopted member of that family), after church that pew was pretty much surrounded for a while with church members glad to see those two boys back - wanting to say hello to Russell and express sympathy over Toby's knee.
Trissy had found out that Bro. Nick and Lydia didn't have any plans for the rest of the day, so after a brainstorm, a request to Dad and Mom to invite them over for dinner and the afternoon, and a spur-of-the-moment affirmative decision by our parents, Trissy and I swung by their house as we left the church. We caught them about to leave for lunch, but when we presented our proposition, they gladly accepted.
We had two of the local cousins (Uncle Alvin's oldest son and daughter who live only about 45 minutes away. The son's wife was sick, and the daughter's husband had to work, so they weren't there.) and their children and Bro. Nick and Lydia's family all at The Grandparents for lunch. After cleaning up the kitchen, we sat around and chatted and visited and fellowshipped, while all the kids had a wonderful time together playing in The Grandparents big yard, and in the playhouse that Dad built for Trissy and me when we were small.
Bro. Nick and Lydia left fairly early in the afternoon, but some of the cousins stuck around. Evening church services were canceled at both Victory Rd. and The Grandparents' church (which seems absolutely ridiculous to me - the most important holiday in our Christian faith and church services are canceled?! Makes no sense...), so we spent the rest of the day at The Grandparents, just spending time together.
Most of the adults found a couch or chair or a spot on the floor and curled up with a throw pillow and blanket for a nap. The kids that weren't put down for a nap played outside or read or colored quietly.
Sitting at the computer blogging, I looked over and noticed my cousin's almost-thirteen-year-old son had a thick book with him where he was curled up on the couch, and asked him what he was reading. It was "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis, in one volume. We got started talking about books and authors and styles, and I found out some of his thoughts and opinions on different ones. It was a really great conversation! Come to think of it, we had several really fun conversations throughout the day! He helped The Grandmother get the TV in the living room fixed so that they could watch videos and DVDs on it, and it hasn't worked in months; and over lunch he showed me this neat math trick with nine squares drawn on a piece of paper. I remember when that kid was born, and to see him now growing up so smart and with such good tastes is just such a happy feeling!
When everyone started getting up from naps, the kids asked The Grandmother if they could watch an episode of "Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye" (she has the collection on DVD). Soon the house was humming again - some sitting around the kitchen table looking at pictures and discussing Pinterest ideas, some watching Sue Thomas in the living room (I joined this group and sat and crocheted while watching the show), some raiding the kitchen for a snack from the lunch left-overs, and some of the littlest kiddos still napping on the den floor.
It was a peaceful, fun afternoon that faded to an enjoyable evening.
Trissy wasn't feeling good, so as people began getting ready for bed (one of the cousin's and her kids decided to spend the night), I took her back to our house and then went back to help Mom finish cleaning up. On my way back, I flipped on the radio and heard "I Know My Redeemer Lives", one of the songs from one of the cantatas we did at Victory Rd. several years ago (That seems strange to say, "several years ago". Strange to think we've been at Victory Rd. long enough to be able to say it). Probably my favorite of the Easter cantatas we've done. As I pulled up to The Grandparents' garage, that song ended and the next one started. It was "Great I Am". Sigh.
Mom was still talking with my cousin, so I finished gathering our things and loading up our food and all into our van, then sat and listened to their conversation until Mom was ready to go. Not that I was anti-social or anything, it had just been a long day, I'd been missing alot of sleep lately, and I was really tired.
When we got back to the house, I helped Mom unload everything, got a couple of sheets, and sank into the recliner in our living room. I was so tired, I didn't even want to change out of my regular clothes into pajamas so I could sleep in my bed. But I went to sleep with a full, grateful heart, and slept probably the best I have in weeks.
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