Unfailing love

 "Let the morning bring me word

of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life."

Psalm 143:8

Tasty Tuesday ...soup

"Soup is a lot like family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor."

Marge Kennedy 

 

Monday Musings ... Nursing

2020 ... is almost over. 

Did you know that 2020 was designated by the World Health Organization as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

"Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children, giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice, looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities. The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030."

This year, health care professionals have been on the frontline in providing service in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic. All across our communities and country, we are eyewitnesses to their service and dedication. Nurses have been an essential part of the health care. Please take two minutes of your time to view a short video about the Year of the Nurse  from the World Health Organization. It will be time well spent. The message is from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

"When I heard 2020 was going to the "The Year of the Nurse" this is not what I expected..." author unknown. 

Habakakkuk prayed ...

 "LORD, I have heard of your fame;

I stand in awe of your deeds,

LORD, Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known;

in wrath, remember mercy."

Habakkuk 3:1-2 (NIV)

A mix and jumble of messages

 Christmas has become a celebration of the holy and secular. For the faithful, it's singing  hymns like O Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Holy Night, and Little Town of Bethlehem.  For  others, it is time to observe Advent, the celebration of  Immanuel, God with us, and the soul stirring joy as we embrace the reality of the truth as written in the scriptures. 

To others, songs like Here Comes Santa Claus and Jingle Bells are familiar. We celebrate the opportunity to do good for those who are on the margins of life. We binge watch  television movies like those on Hallmark Channel that are sugary sweet and predictable.  I wonder, do our entertainment choices reveal our hunger for love and  happy endings? 

Then, we look at  our  Christmas trees which display how comfortable we have become in blending the holy and secular on our trees.  Our ornaments can be a confusing mix and jumble of messages. For example, at the top of our tree, there is an angel that gracefully looks down on all the trimmings. Angels of varying sizes and shapes are wearing gingham, glitter, fabric, and tinsel. Some angles are made of yarn and others are shaped from plastic molds.  Yet... there are so many scriptures in the Old Testament and the New Testament that point to  angels. 

And so goes the list as switch back and forth from holy to secular to embrace this season of the year. 

The wonder of the season is to embrace that the Messiah ... God with us... Immanuel.  

... "for this is what the prophet has written"

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priest and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. " In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, " for this is what the prophet has written:

" But you, Bethlehem, in the land of 

Judah

are by no means least among the 

rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will Shepherd my people

Israel."

Matthew 2: 1 - 6 (NIV) 

Friendship Friday

 "Let's face it

friends 

make life more 

fun."

Chuck Swindoll

Last year, Lisa gave me this Nativity Scene. This  lovely gift is a sweet reminder of our friendship and our shared faith in Christ.  In addition to our shared faith... we share stories, tips, and so much laughter. Indeed, friends make life more fun. 

lighting a candle

In this season of Advent, I'm experiencing a deeper appreciation of the layers of truth that Believers embrace in this season.  This quote from N.T. Wright  beautifully expresses the important of light in dark situations. 

"Christmas is God lighting a candle; and you don't light a candle in a room that is already full of sunlight. You light a candle in a room that's so murky that the candle when lit, reveals just how bad things really are."

N.T. Wright

Special thanks to Brittany for graciously welcoming me to a their congregation's study of Advent. 

I look forward to our time together "Virtually" next week. 

Credit to Scott Erickson 

Pet of the week, Murphy

  Murphy is a service dog. His owner has MS. In this season of Covid-19, Murphy has been a blessing.  

"Nothing makes me smile more that looking into the face of a dog that loves me." Unknown. 

 

Friendship Friday

 If there was a picture of friendship in the dictionary, I would look for Lisa's picture.  She is a lovely example of  genuine friendship.  Funny, wise, caring, thoughtful and generous. 

We first met at a dinner in Columbia, Tennessee. Since, then, we have enjoyed dinners in Kansas, Kentucky, Georgia, watching a college basketball game in Kentucky, rehearsal dinners in Georgia, a bridal shower/tea in Kansas and so goes the list ...

How did we meet? We connected as the result of our husband's professional careers. 

One of the qualities I most admire in Lisa is her gift of hospitality. She is such a gracious hostess. I wish this picture was able to capture the beauty of this table. 

Long after the meal has been served, what I remember most... the conversations we enjoy at the table. Creating a lovely table setting allows the conversation to flow with sweet ease. 

What is bringing you joy today?

Earlier today, my friend Maureen shared her joy:  "God's Word and praying friends." 🙏

I love her answer! In the midst of challenges, she  inspires me to trust God and suffer well.  As she waits to begin  nerve treatment on Monday, she is faithfully praying.

  In spite of obstacles, I anticipate joy in my daily living. This morning, I listened to hymns, went for walk, and stopped by a local coffee shop. In the afternoon, I was treated to a Zoom call with friends.  

I would love to read what is bringing you joy.

What is Advent?

 "One of the essential paradoxes of Advent: that while we wait for God, we are with God all along, that while we need to be reassured of God's arrival, or the arrival our our homecoming, we are already home. While we wait, we have to trust, to have faith, but it is God's grace that give us that faith. As with all spiritual knowledge, two things are true and equally true, at once. The mind can't grasp paradox; it is the knowledge of the soul."

Michelle Blake, The Tentmaker

Furry Friends

 Earle, Franklin, and Josie are running buddies. They enjoy sniffing each other, eating cheese, chasing each other, wrestling, barking at door bells, taking walks, and snuggling in their dog beds.  Earle is the older and more mature of the trio.  Franklin was once insecure. He is now settled. Josie is the occasional visitor. 

 A week ago, Earle and Franklin moved to Nebraska. Josie will  once again be relegated to the occasional visitor status. 

This trio of friends are rescue dogs. Earle and Franklin were adopted in Nebraska.  Josie is a rescue dog from the Lexington Humane Society.  Who is who? Earle is black. Franklin is white. Josie is chocolate brown. 

Family night ...

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.

 In the eyes of a child, they are all 30 feet tall. 

Larry Wilde

Last Thursday, Jerry (Grandpa) and our granddaughter decorated our Christmas tree. 

Next we put out the Nativity Scenes. I love we took the opportunity to talk about each part of the Nativity Scene. Tonight, our church will have a virtual family night where we will make Christmas cards, and decorate Christmas ornaments. I love the season of Advent!  

Tech Tuesday

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them."

Albert Einstein

I think technology may be a tool to solve problems. 

Last year, robots like this were rolling all over Purdue University's campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.This robot was designed to deliver items.Today, engineering students at Purdue and other universities continue   find creative solutions to solve problems.