Monthly Archives: May 2017

Ecclesiastes, Pictures

A Flower Box Lesson

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For you to see my point in this pic, let me explain. 

Our sunflowers are spindly. More than I think they should be. Anyway a week or more ago I noticed one had fallen over; it had a pretty severe bend in its stalk but I decided to leave it rather than pull it up. Good move! :)

Notice its fall was cushioned by a friend. And notice too if you will, resting there with its friend, it began reaching for the sun. It’s green again, putting on leaves and I believe it just may bloom!

I see two parallels, perhaps you see others.

One. When we fall down, look to the Son right where we are and begin to grow again. 

Two.  Be a friend. Comfort the fallen. Lend them strength. Encourage them in JESUS. Help them look up and begin to grow again.  And won’t you be so blessed when they bloom?! 

Ecclesiastes 4:10  (NIV) 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. source

The LORD our GOD is holy
Kathie

Exodus, Just Chatty Today

Sharing Shabbat

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Shabbat!

What would it do for your family?

You will not know till you try it on for size, perhaps several times to give a proper critique.

A full 24 hours. From sunset to sunset. The prescribed day in Scripture is the seventh day of the week. That is from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. However, I suspect one day a week, any day of the week, will provide abundant benefits to families embracing it.

Considering we are Westerners we have had little experience observing Exodus 20:8 for more than a few decades, at least; and it will take some serious planning, dedication, adjusting, and dare I say some trial and error for us to collectively appreciate the Father’s command: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Keeping it holy. Holy means set apart. Perhaps we could say not like all the other days, a peculiar day. Peculiar isn’t an ugly word, I rather like it.

I think this particular day could shape up differently, family to family, and perhaps even week to week.  For JT and me, one of the big things to lay aside on Shabbat is Television. No news media in any form, no movies, no TV for a full 24 hours.  Some of the very staunch have suggested no electronics period. We are not there yet, and may not get there at all. However, I count it success to have refrained from scrolling my Facebook feed for more than 24 hours this past Shabbat.  I did post a prayer and a prayer request and I did check notices related thereto; so far, I’m okay with that.  Oh and yes Gospel related music was especially pleasant for a portion of the Sabbath.  I confess I did make our bed but I did no laundry, no floor mopping – I put dishes in the dishwasher and turned them on Saturday night.  Oh, it was fun!  

The day of the beginning of Shabbat was busy with food prep so I would not have to cook anything further once Shabbat had begun. This time not being well acclimated we purchased already prepared potato salad to go alongside the crock pot roast; this freed up time for other prepping matters.  Oh, and we had what I termed Shabbat Dessert; this time it was a bundt cake with fruit spread and whipped cream. Yum! We ate by candlelight!  :) 

All in all, it was one of the best days! We read Scripture, we talked about Scripture, we prayed, we relaxed, we visited a sick friend, we went for a ride, we didn’t rush to do anything and we made it our goal to enjoy each other all as acts of worship and honor for the GOD who loves us and gave Himself to us. I can hardly wait for Shabbat to come again! 

So I am thinking. What would this do for marriages and families with children?!! Yes, the children (and the parents!) would give up TV and Netflix and all that stuff we do with our handheld devices; and instead of talking with their friends (unless they could convince their friends to actually visit in person) they would have Parental Attention for all the waking hours of that 24 hour period! I mean board games, bike riding, reading, listening to wholesome GOD-honoring music, picnics, nature hikes, fishing even, etc., etc. —  any low-key relaxing all together family activity apart from commercialized, we have to pay somebody else stuff. How bad could that be? Think of the family interaction, and creativity this would generate! 

I am certainly not advocating unplugging from the Creator but I submit to you that even families who have no affection for the Bible or the GOD of the Bible would benefit from a weekly 24-hour family unplugged from the world fast.

But for me seeking to actually obey 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, . . . well like I said, I can hardly wait for next Shabbat. It will be different from the last but HE WILL BE PRESENT and I am thrilled! 

And yes we did attend our customary church service on Sunday – even that was better! 

The LORD our GOD is holy
Kathie

Revisited and edited 6.17.2023

Celebrations, Prayers for America . . .

Memorial Day 2017

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I’m not wishing us a Happy Memorial Day. I’m not wishing us a sad Memorial Day. I’m suggesting a grateful, remembering, honoring day. However, I think a day without laughter, without sharing good food and the company of good friends and family just might be a non-honoring to the day.

Prayer and remembering, let that be high on our list but would those men and women who died to preserve American Freedoms be honored if we grieved as those who have no hope? Would refusing to enjoy the freedoms they died to give us bring them back? Moreover, would not our refusing to rejoice actually shroud their deaths with shame and dishonor? Does not overwhelming, debilitating grief; and refusing to embrace life today dishonor them in the worst way?

I have been praying something new for a day or so (and now that I’ve prayed it though I think, it’s not one I need to keep praying. I’m not being morbid, just realistic. And no, I have not received any medical diagnosis. As far as I know, I am as healthy as a young horse! :) ) I’ve been praying for my daughters that when the time comes they will grieve my home-going well. That their missing me will not overshadow their love for me. That their love for me with God’s help will enable them to embrace the life He continues to give them with joy, with gusto, with a determination to make every day count for His glory and for the good of family and friends remaining with them. That they will resist and refuse any guilt that would shame them for laughing, for taking delight in holidays and day-to-day life. That they would embrace the truth that for them to cease to live a full and godly life is no honor to me but actually, a dishonor and one that was I aware of it would make me so very sad and burdened. It’s a matter of trust; for them and for me. Okay. Moving on!

Abba, thank You for allowing us the privilege of being Americans; I pray we will honor You with our American patriotism, and above this, I pray we will honor You for the life, death, and resurrection of Your Very Own Son to give us the ultimate, eternal life and freedom that we so do not deserve. Thank You for every American soul who has given their life to preserve American Freedoms and I pray their families will receive Your comfort and strength and peace, especially today. I pray You will grant grace and strength for America to continue not so much as She has but better; better in all the graces YOU have ordained for us; to embrace You and Your will for this Nation; the Nation You birthed for the spread of Your Gospel to the World. We have not done our commission well for a long time now; forgive us and grant us grace to repent I pray. Amen and amen in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus-Yeshua.

Kadosh Adonai Eloheynu ~
( the LORD our GOD is holy)
Kathie