BEAUTY FOUND IN TANGLED WEBS!

Photographer friend, Anne B., has a way of finding and highlighting beauty in the messes of life!

I, on the other hand, lately have a way of making messes in life or walking in fear that my decisions might mess things up for everyone. Decision making is so difficult as "what ifs" flutter all around in my mind.

My Uncle John Edward learned during WWII to "pull self up" by his boot straps. I don't even have any bootstraps. Plus, it sounds self-reliant to me!

If I have been constantly reminded of anything since our move to NC.....it's the need to lean into the Lord every day. It's His strength I need. His path I want. Leaning in to Him gives both strength and a straight path.

Today, even in the tangles, may I find fulness of joy in His presence as I follow the path of life He has made known to me. (Psalm 16:11)

WOW = WORDS OF WISDOM!

All true wisdom comes from God.

Trust in Him = Help!

A thrust of trust for Thursday!

WISDOM IN PRACTICE!

Wisdom in practice is action.

Think walking in wisdom.

A practical way to live out wisdom is to pass on the truth God has taught us, from His Word, to neighbors, nations and the next generation. (Allen Bible Church) 

Live it out. An RX for applying Scripture in our daily lives allows others to "see" Christ in us.

Fellowship with other believers is mutually strengthening.

Walk with the wise and become wise. 

(Proverbs 13:20 NIVa)

May we make this a true Walkabout Wednesday!

Let's practice wisdom together.

BLESSINGS OF WISDOM!

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom! (Proverbs 3:13)

Understanding enhances wisdom and takes it to a whole new level for each new situation.

Praise the Lord for the many words he gives us to meditate/chew on.....which, like His mercies, can be new every morning and lead us to paths of peace. (Proverbs 3:17)

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom! (...with permission to write in her Bible)

Enough said as a summary for this "Teaching Tuesday"!

PEACE = SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT!

Great place to be during ADVENT is with God's people!

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" are shared words of John the Baptist from Matthew3:2. (Pastor Dave)

Whether it's an older couple or a young family, it's a blessing seeing families come together to share in the lighting of the advent wreath.

The second purple candle is for PEACE.

Peace = wholeness and flourishing. (Pastor Buddy, ABC) 

Such peace is needed in both the church and throughout the world.


 

PLACE OF GRACE CHRISTMAS PARADE 2025!

Small towns can often show folks what is important in their lives through their celebrations. Especially at Christmas.

From bands, live animals and nativities to that mean one, Mr. Grinch 

Today's Christmas parade was just that---

An early float had "Go Tell it on the Mountains" singers belting it out and many bystanders in this mountain town joined in, especially on the refrain, "That Jesus Christ is born."

JESUS Sweetest Name I Know......

'Tis so Sweet to Trust Jesus

The Sheriff's Department also participated to the delight of our first-grader grand. They locked up the Grinch so he would not steal Christmas.

Every time the Grinch broke out of jail, the Sheriffs would recapture him. The Grinch did not have a chance to steal Christmas.

A farm family used Psalm 50:10 to reflect every animal belongs to God---as they sang hymns together.

Certainly at every turn on the parade route one saw...

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Do I hear an Amen?!

Another family float near the end of the parade blew "snow" across all attendees..... 

...with a sign that summed it all up for their family.

In case any reader is confused......JESUS SAVES....

JESUS SAVES.......TWO WORDS THAT SAY IT ALL!

ALL PATHS!

A picture can be worth a thousand words---thus this post.

A great "Saturday Short" for one who has been camped in Psalm 25.

I would give credit for this photo but I have no idea where or when I found it. Obviously it was during a warmer time!

PATHS OF LIFE!

Few paths in life are straight. The direction or length of the path can be an age-related choice based on one's physical attributes.

Though beautiful, many paths are even rocky.....both physical and mental.

So............how does one recognize the path or paths that are just right for him/her? 

Warning---My paths became so curvy, you will be confused.

Recent bedtime reading, Bathed in Prayer by Jan Karon, I came across an excerpt from her 2005 book Light from Heaven, prayer of the vicar's as he, Father Tim, sat and dog, Barnabas leaned against his shoulder. 'I am Thine, O Lord. Show me Thy ways, teach me Thy paths, lead me in Thy truths and teach me.'

(Psalm 25:4-5a)

My ESV Bible had Psalm 25 listed as Teach Me Your Paths 

OF DAVID

The first 2 verses "had" me for a few days. A great starting point for my path. I sat and went nowhere.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust.

The next curve in my path took me to an on-line devotional book. Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller. I sat in my prayer chair. February 13 was location for Psalm 25:1-7. He emphasized David's convictions were "a man must live by the help of God, not by his wits." Keller's concluding prayer began, "Lord, I want to live according to your Word--"your ways, your truth"....

Obviously, somedays one can follow the path God has for them without ever standing up or leaving the house. 

KINDNESS COMMENTS AND BEYOND!

How rewarding to receive a special gift from a dear couple who have been longtime friends! A kind gift---a book I had never read! A book full of kindness woven into life's complexities. The book had me at the humor on the dedication page all the way to the PROLOGUE! 

Did I mention even a gift offering at the end?

Theo of Golden, published in 2023 when I had an occipital lobe stroke & I was unable to read without audio help. This timely 2025 gift became for me a book to savor. 

Often I saw examples of where joy and sorrow could co-exist. It reminded me of 2 Corinthians 6:10 phrases "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing but possessing everything."

"Sadness and joy can co-exist" as seen in the lives of some in Golden. Theo's "friend" Asher believed "for anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. He then asked Theo how does one know if something has love in it? Theo responded ".....That is the question, isn't it? And I'm not sure I know the answer either. But God does. (Theo of Golden, p. 129. Emphasis mine)

Amen. God knows the answers we need!

Throughout the book, I sensed Theo's wisdom was sadness can make one bitter or wise. 

Hmm-- Sadness can make one bitter or wise.

Metaphorically, I'll take that one step further......

The choice is ours! But God knows the best answer. 

WISDOM NEGATES WORRY!

Don't worry be happy is a bogus catch-phrase! It gives no counsel or real wisdom to one who has a "worry-bent"----even knowing worry is worthless!

(Wisdom's) Ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:17, AMPC.

May this former teacher, yet often slow learner, remember the wisdom of "praying BIG to worry less" thus clearing the "worry-webs" in her head.