Glory of God

Scripture Alone
Christ Alone
Grace Alone
Faith Alone
Glory of God Alone
Martin Luther

Monday Musings

"From the beginning of my Reformation I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of His Word, the Holy Scriptures; for as long as I have God's Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion."
Martin Luther

Tasty Tuesday

C.S. Lewis has been quoted as saying,  " Tea should be taken in solitude." It sounds lovely, but is it true? Do you enjoy sharing a pot of tea with a friend? Or do you prefer having a cup of tea and cookies alone?

I enjoy both. Don't make me choose! 😊

Monday Musings ...

"Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of rain, the taste of your favorite food,  or the sound of a loved one's voice."

Joseph Wirtin

Add to the list ... looking at the precious arm of a baby, a tiny tummy, and a sweet t-shirt. 

Then he opened their minds

"Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the  Scriptures. And he said, " "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. You are witnesses of all these things.

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.

Luke 24: 44 - 49 (NLT)

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ... Pumpkins

Pumpkins are not just for decorating ...

Pumpkin Cherrios, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake, Pumpkin and Carmel Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin and Bacon Soup, Pumpkin Hummus, Thai Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Risotto,  Pumpkin Fudge and Pumpkin Spice Jelly

Monday Musing ... memory

"The wonder of being able to see life as a whole, at any time and at all times, is the great gift of memory. It makes all of life a piece in progress. With one part of the soul in the past and another in the present,  we are able to go on stitching together a life that has integrity and wholeness. Because of memory life is not one isolated act after another. It fits into the image of the self and the goals of the heart. It makes them real. It makes them whole."

Joan Chittister  from THE GIFT OF YEARS ~  Growing Older Gracefully ~

Friendships

Pause ..
"But the more I choose to pause and talk and really connect, the more I discover the thrill in the sacred spaces of relationships."
Lysa Terkeurst

I hope you are taking time to call or visit friends.

Wordy Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

While our nation and its leaders are struggling with a host of important issues, it is inspiring to see our community  come together and focus on solutions.

Lexington  Leadership Foundation hosted their Annual Leadership Award Dinner and Celebration. This event honored partners, volunteers, and participants. Special recognition was also given to Engaging Leaders, Emerging Leaders, and Empowering Leaders
As a Read to Succeed Volunteer, I am excited to be a small part of a large organization where  hundreds of volunteers feel the call to serve. I love that the speakers focused on God's Kingdom.

Two of our elected officials talking about city concerns.
Since it is Tasty Tuesday... here is the dessert. 

Monday Musings ... love or hate

Superior Court Judge Jack Rogers ordered a restraining order against a Klan Rally. The restraining order was issued in connection with the state’s anti hate law. These words seem very current. Yet, they are not. 

Robert Reed a reporter for The Greenwood News recorded these words over fifty years ago on August 10, 1967. Later that same year, on October 19, 1967 The Greenwood News posted a picture of the Klansman eating dinner near Shepardsville, Kentucky.

Source: Indiana State Library
140 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 

The South Bend Tribune posted an article that stated, Klan Motorcades Get Little Attention. Noted in one picture the caption reads Demonstrate Against Klan. “Some 50 persons line the Michigan St. Bridge over the St. Joseph River Sunday morning as a caravan of vehicles carrying members of the Ku Klux Klan heads south through the state. They appeared in silent protest of what the Klan stands for. There were no disturbances.”

Star State Report from the Indianapolis Star also reported of the Klan Motorcade.  They were protected by the police and largely ignored by the public.

Now fast forward and backward to last weekend…

Last weekend, October 8, 2017  there was a protest held in Charlottesville, Virginia. James Bacon a reporter for the USA Today states that White supremacists say rally in Charlottesville is a model for protest across the nation.  If that is a model for others across the nation, I think Christians need to offer peaceful citywide prayers for our cities and nation.

This is a time for prayers and acts of love instead of silence.
Humankind must have the enabling power of God to overcome evil and sin. We cannot do in our own efforts. We are powerless to change. We need God.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
Romans 12:9

...his paths beyond tracing out!

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and
knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has know the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God.
that God should repay them?
For from him and through him and
for him are all things.
To him be glory forever! Amen."
Romans 11:33-36

Pet of the week, Tucker

Today is a gorgeous day to walk a dog. If you don't have a pet, I hope you have time to enjoy this day.

Tucker is a Comfort Golden Retriever and this week's pet.  I met his owner while taking Josie for a stroll.

Friendship Friday

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” 

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday Tea

What is Pinky Up?
"Pinky Up is about guilt-free indulgence a way to enjoy great flavor with no calories. Healthier than sugary soda, cake and cookies, it'll perk you up and make Wednesday's feel like Fridays. We only use the highest qualities full leaf tea,  herb, and botanical so that your tastebuds get the most punch per sip." 

From the back of the tea tin.

Monday Musings ...

If I gave you and index card and requested that you list ten things you need in case of an emergency, what would you list?  First, you will need to know the type of emergency.  You do not have electricity. In addition, you are not able to leave your home to get any supplies.

What is on your list?

I posed this question to a group of 4^th and 5^th graders in Sunday School Class.   They were given a few minutes to write their answers. I began to show them items I had in a bag.

1.      Water

2.     Protein Bars

3.     Battery operated fans (to keep you cool) They were impressed with the fans.

4.     Crank operated flashlight  - no batteries are necessary – They liked this one!

5.     Blanket

6.     Pain medicine

7.     RX bottle

8.     Kleenex

9.     Hand sanitizer

10.    Candles to provide light

I explained, “Until we were rescued, we would need these items.”

For a few minutes we talked about being rescued.  Then we talked about sin. What is sin? Why do we need to be rescued?  Our class explored the issue of sin. Then, I instructed the students to search for the 10 commandments.

After several a few moments,  I guided them to Exodus 20.

Who rescues us from sin?  Then, we talked about the Messiah, Jesus, who rescues humanity from sin.

Less than 24 hours later, on Monday morning, I woke to see terrifying images about a man who killed and injured so many people. In the midst of such horror, we began to hear about people who were heroes. Complete strangers rescued some people. Other individuals died while trying to escape the massacre.

Sadly, most of us can see an endless stream of natural disasters.

Whatever the tragedy, humanity has a perfect God who rescues those who look to be saved.  Who is perfect … Jesus? Jesus’s death and the resurrection provides the ultimate rescue. With faith in God we can experience hope, peace, and so much more.