Growing Up

Our little Anna recently had a birthday. Would have loved to have been with her to celebrate, but distance is no friend to families. We did get a few minutes of facetime with her, though. She proudly told us that now she is four. Four already! I had the awesome privilege of being in the birthing room when she was born and helping her mommy through labor. So glad Elizabeth wanted me to experience that with her. Truly miraculous! What a joy to watch a new little creation being born! We are praying that Anna seeks God early, and that He draws her to Himself.

This photo was taken when Anna and big brother Elijah stayed with us for several days. We had lots of fun trying to get as much packed into those days as we possibly could! Exhausting fun! But then the house turns oh-so-quiet....much too quiet. Until next time.

I made the dress for her while she was here. She picked out the fabric from my stash in the sewing room, and she wanted pockets. A memory dress for her, I hope. It ties at the shoulders, so she should be able to wear it for awhile as she gets taller. Elijah thinks she looks nice in it. I do, too!

If you have grandchildren nearby, you are truly blessed. My sister was telling me a couple of days ago about going to watch her grandson play baseball and cheering him on. "Nanny, can you come and watch me again?"  Ahhhh...what joy some of you have to watch your grandchildren doing their special things and encouraging them on. I hope you relish the time together.

Caught in the Turmoil

Reminding myself about how to live in today's world with a thought from John MacArthur's Truth for Today. Today's entry....

"You may not have realized it before, but living as a Christian in this world is like being a foreigner without a permanent home or citizenship. The apostle Peter referred to believers as "sojourners and pilgrims" (1 Peter 2:11). You should consider yourself as a temporary citizen and abstain from participating in the world's ungodliness.

"That's an important perspective to maintain as hostility toward Christianity mounts in our society. Many unbelievers treat immorality as an alternative lifestyle and believe man can solve his problems any way he chooses.

"To live in such a society, you need to arm yourself with a trust in the power of righteousness to triumph over persecution and suffering. During times of hostility, you're to have confidence and not get caught up in turmoil."

Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles,

that when they speak against you as evildoers,

they may, by your good works which they observe,

glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12

Counting a Few Blessings

Our move to our new home (and state) has gone very smoothly. A few bumps here and there, like trying to get our driver's license transferred, but all things considered, we've had a smooth transition. I was thinking as I was out grocery shopping today that people have been so friendly and helpful. It's almost as if they're glad we've come. It's a nice feeling as we've been out and about to be greeted with genuine warmth. As I struck up a conversation with the check out gal at the grocery store this morning, she said, "Welcome to Paradise." Well, that's quite a stretch, but we're enjoying living here.

Another blessing that I'm thinking of this evening is our small k-group that meets in a home on Wednesday evenings for prayer and discussion of the pastor's Sunday exposition. We're very much enjoying getting to know some new friends, and appreciate how they've reached out and welcomed us to the group.

A major blessing is being able to live near my parents and sisters and interact with them in just the everydayness of life and to be a support for one another. This is a big change for us as we've not had family around for several years.

Certainly many blessings to count.

Graphic ~Numbers in Different Colors, jannoon028 freepik.com

Mysteries of the Unseen World

The vastness of God's creation is beyond man's comprehension, yet to see the marvels that man has been able to see technologically points undeniably to the Great Designer. 

We watched Mysteries of the Unseen World this evening, a National Geographic documentary that shows a world of things that our normal vision cannot see. It gives believers just a glimpse of what God might allow us to see and know when we come into His presence after life on this earth. All Heaven sings His praises, and this movie shows plenty of reason to do just that.

True believers see God's hand where others may not. Whether or not you believe God created the immenseness and minuteness of the universe, I think you'd enjoy the photography and science behind this documentary. We watched it on Netflix, but it's also available through Amazon. You can watch the Netflix trailer here.

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? 

Tell me if you understand.

Job 38:4

George Knew

It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being.

~ from A Life of Washington, 

James Kirke Paulding, 1835

Portrait by Charles Willson Peale 

U.S. Army Center of Military History official site, Public Domain

Sunday Ponderings ~ Who Is It About, Really?

Pondering a thought this afternoon from our pastor's exposition today of Luke 24:1-12, the account of the resurrection of Christ. His resurrection, of course, is the crucial foundation of Christianity. Everyone dies at some point, but Jesus is the only person who ever walked out of the grave of His own volition. Christianity celebrates that supernatural act on Easter, what we often refer to as Resurrection Day. Resurrection is the key element of our faith.

Pastor brought up the point that there is more focus on Jesus's crucifixion and death than on His resurrection, though. Why is this? We are, indeed, eternally grateful that Jesus gave Himself for our ransom, that He endured that horrific cross and all that went before it so that we could be reconciled back to the God of the universe. But does our gratitude for that act of love focus more on us than on Him — what He did for us rather than who He is?

Jesus was able to walk out of the grave because He is deity. He is divine. He is God's Son. He is our ransom. His resurrection proved that the ransom was paid. He gives us eternal life because He has eternal life Himself. He is our creator. He will be our judge. He is our advocate before the Holy God.

What was it that transformed the disciples who then spread the news of the gospel, news that continues to be spread around the world?  It was the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. 

So, I'm pondering the thought —

Do I love the gift more than the giver? 
Is it more about me, or is it all about Him?

Print ~ The Power of the Resurrection

In the Sewing Room

We had planned to meet some new friends for breakfast, but I woke up with a bad cold this morning. Started feeling bad last night at bedtime, and had hoped to sleep it off, but that didn't happen. So it was disappointing to wake up feeling like this and not be able to meet up.  

I haven't felt like doing much all day. Not much except for spending a little time in my sewing room between naps. I've been blessed in our new house with a bonus room that has become my sewing room. I've been unpacking boxes in there off and on since we moved in, and it's coming together little by little. Still lots to do, though. Lots of sunlight pouring in through the windows, but that's one thing I love about the room--lots of windows and the morning sun! I enjoy seeing the room of the morning, but I sew in the afternoon when the sun is on the other side of house. My machine is right in front of the middle windows, so sewing in the direct sunlight would be difficult, anyway.

I unpacked a couple of fabric boxes today and did some sorting and arranging. I like having my fabric out as part of the decor and seeing it as I come into the room. It inspires me! I still have my blacks and whites to pull out...not sure where they're going to go, though. Looks like I need to get busy sewing and use up some of that fabric! I've heard that there's a sewing group at our new church that sews for charity. Hoping to get involved with them after things settle at the house a little more. 

A bright spot to my day--Elijah lost another tooth and texted a picture with a special note: "I loooooooove y'all superb much!!!!!!!!" Sure wish we could take him out for a doughnut to celebrate! Too many miles between. 

I'm sometimes asked what I like about sewing / quilting, and if I'm "very heavy into it." I do enjoy the labor of love in making things to give and it reins in my thoughts when I get to missing my precious grandchildren. So some days I'm very, very heavy into it.

Sew, Nana, Sew!! 

From the Bookshelf ~ The Names of God

I keep a book by my bed and read a few pages most nights as the light is about to be turned out. Recently, I've been reading and meditating on the prayers from Tony Evans' book Praying Through the Names of God. Each prayer focuses on a different name for God found throughout the Scriptures. I've found that understanding more of His attributes and character builds my faith and trust. I've begun to be more at peace with situations and circumstances because I'm understanding a little more about the nature of the God of the Universe and His relationship with mankind.

Each prayer follows the acronym ACTS--Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Sharing with you today the Adoration of Elohei Ma'uzzi--The God of my strength.

God is my strong fortress, and he sets the blameless in His way.

2 Samuel 22:33

Elohei Ma'uzzi, you are my strong fortress. You are the God of my strength. In you I find all that I need. In you are power, might, and force. I praise you for your mighty hand. I lift up your name to give you honor because of your greatness. Your creation testifies to your power. The mountains rise to proclaim your strong arm. The ocean depths reveal your force. The moon keeps its place because of your great strength. The sun flames as a result of your own creative prowess. You are to be held in the highest esteem, and I praise you, Elohei Ma'uzzi.

~ from Praying Through the Names of God by Tony Evans

Our Only Advocate ~ Amazing Grace!

I brought home a nugget of truth from our small group tonight that I hadn't considered before. We were discussing Jesus's crucifixion and His words in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing."  I made the comment that forgiveness is a judicial term, and in asking God not to bring judgment and due punishment upon the people for what they had done to Him, that Jesus was asking for them to have further opportunity for repentance and reconciliation.

That comment was further developed by an attorney in the group, who fully understands the purpose and need for advocacy. He called to our attention that Jesus is the only one who has direct access to God, who advocates for us and takes up our case before Father God. What amazing grace, that Jesus advocated for the very people who were calling for His crucifixion!

Jesus was asking God to give them more time. More time to see that His life, death, and resurrection was their only hope of reconciliation with God. And He is our only hope to this very day, for Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

My take away from K-group discussion this evening--So very thankful that Jesus advocates for me and that God sees me through Jesus' righteousness, not my own self-righteousness.

I hope, dear one, that you understand that Jesus the Christ is your only way to the God of the Universe.

Painting ~ Christ Crucified 1632 by Diego Velázquez 1599-1660
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4214227

Feeling Like Home

I had posted a few months back that I needed to put blogging on hold for awhile. That was five months ago as my days were filled with getting the house ready to sell, then the actual move, and for the past month or so getting settled into our new house. I had written in my previous post that I was looking forward to having a welcoming front porch where I could sit and greet neighbors. Well, this porch isn't my dream porch. It's nestled back a ways between the side walls and is out of sight except when you're passing right in front of it, but I'll see what I can do with it come spring.

It's starting to feel like home here now, and I'm beginning to have more of a routine to my days again with time for gathering my thoughts and journaling a bit. Blogging helps me to think about what's happening around me and to reflect on how I respond to it. My thoughts may not be deep or insightful, but when I put them into words, it helps me to understand myself a little better and draws my thoughts Upward and Homeward. Perhaps, too, my journaling will be a legacy for my grandchildren and future generations to read. Hopefully, they'll be interested in knowing a little about me.

Thoughts at the moment are gratitude for being able to move near family. My parents and siblings moved away over the years, and when our daughters married, they also moved far away with their hubbies. As the years have passed, and the house has been much too quiet, we've missed having family around. After much prayer and consideration, we decided to make a new home near my parents and my sister who lives with them, to help in whatever ways we could in their latter years and to enjoy the feeling of belonging that family brings. That would be 500 miles from where we lived, so the move was major. 

We moved into their neighborhood and can walk to one another's house. I walk around the neighborhood with my sister occasionally, and can stop in to chat with Mom and Dad for a few moments. Such a warm feeling.

My youngest sister and her family also live in this neighborhood, so we're reconnected once again. After their retirement my parents had moved to Florida, but after a few years decided to move here to be near my sister and her six children. She now has two of her children married with seven grandchildren so far, so there are lots of family here and more to come! I still miss my daughters ever-ever-so-much, and long deeply to be with them and the grandchildren. Perhaps someday God will pave the way for us to live closer to one another. What a blessing that would be!! 

Someone said not long ago that family was not as important to them as it is to us. Well, that may be how they feel about it, but I think they miss the intent God has for families. We see throughout the Scriptures how God worked in and through the relationships of the family. Not just immediate families, but the extended family as well, as they interacted with one another and passed on the faith. 

My heart's desire is to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. That's one of the important aspects of extended family--to tell of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next. It's not impossible with all the miles between us, but as I often say, distance is no friend to families. That's one reason why I blog/journal--so the next generation with hear of God's faithfulness to their grandparents.

If you have family nearby, you are truly blessed! You have a wonderful opportunity to tell the next generation the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderous works that He has done. (Psalm 78:4)