Cold Winter

 "What good 

is the warmth of summer,

without the cold of winter

to give it sweetness."

John Steinbeck

Travels with Charley in Search of America

January 2021 Snow 

What are you studying?

 Last September, I began a year-long verse by verse study of the book of Genesis. BSF ( Bible Study Fellowship) This month, I joined a study in the book of Revelation.  What a interesting combination of books to study... The first book of the Bible and the last book of the Bible. 

J. Vernon McGee has a perfect quote regarding these two books. 

"Notice also that there is a tie between Genesis and Revelation, the first and last book of the Bible. Genesis presents the beginning, and Revelation presents the end. Note the contrast between the two books: In Genesis the earth was created; in Revelation the earth passes away. In Genesis was Satan's first rebellion; In Revelation is Satan's last rebellion. In Genesis the sun, moon, and stars were for earth's government, in Revelation these same heavenly bodies are for earth's judgement. In Genesis the sun was to govern the day; in Revelation  there is no need of the sun.  In Genesis darkness was called night; In Revelation there is 'no night there" ... In Genesis was the entrance of sin; in Revelation is the exodus of sin. In Genesis the curse was pronounced; in Revelation the curse is removed. In Genesis death entered; in Revelation there is no more death. In Genesis was the beginning of suffering and sorrow; in Revelation there were be no more sorrow and tears.

... And the Bible closes with another global universal book. The Revelation shows what God is going to do with His universes and His creatures. There is no other book like this."

I am so grateful for opportunity to be a part of the Revelation Extravagant Hope Study Guide. Thank you Margaret Feinberg! (She wrote the study guide and did the video. Thank you Brittany... for allowing me to be a participant of the  Tusculum Cumberland Presbyterian Church study.  I love being a part of the Nashville, TN Study. Virtual attendance is awesome! I don't have to travel snowy roads! 💝💖 Thank you! 

Monday Musings ...politics

 "Politics ought to be the part-time profession

of every citizen who would protect the rights 

and privileges of free people and who would

preserve what is good and fruitful in our 

national heritage."

Dwight D. Eisenhower

It is my hope that every citizen will become engaged in the politics of every day life in their community. It is vital to stay informed. Don't wait until the midterm elections happen to become engaged. Now is a great time to have civil conversations about the important issues that will impact our community and nation. 

Issues are too important to sit by idly. Ask questions, go to meetings, send emails, and get engaged. 

The righteous cry out ...

 "The righteous  cry out, and the LORD

hears them;

he delivers them from all their 

troubles.

The LORD is close to the 

brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous person may have many

troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them 

all,

he protect all his bones, 

not one of them will be broken. 

Psalm 34: 17 - 20 (NIV) 

Tasty Tuesday

This veggie burger from Burger Fry was delicious. It  had so many  layers of yummy. 

 

Monday Musings ...

 Our lives 

begin to end

the day

we become silent

about things 

that matter.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

As for God

"As for God, his way is perfect:

The LORD's word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him, 

For who is God beside the LORD?

And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.

2 Samuel 22:31 -33 (NIV) 

Friendship Friday

 "Some friends are closer than family. They weave through their way into our lives, there to celebrate the highs and comfort us through the lows." 

Max Lucado 

"As iron sharpens iron, 

so a friend sharpens a friend." 

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

National Hot Tea Day

 Today, January 12 is National Tea Day. Do you enjoy a nice cup of hot tea? The entire month of January is National Hot Tea Month.  💖

This morning, I enjoyed a cup of Blueberry Tea. 

"There is something in the nature of tea that lead us into a quiet contemplation of life."

Lin Yutang 

Monday Musings ... words

 "Stick and stones will break my bones, but will never hurt me? This lie has been taught to children for years.We claim it strengthens them. Allows them to let the harsh words of other children roll off their back. But the truth is that words have power. Power to encourage. Power to heal.."

In Joseph Stowell's book, The Weight of Your Words: Measuring the Impact of What You Say is a timely book for our time. Written in 1998, the message in the book is important to read. 

Words have power. Measure what you say.

Do not fret

 Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD

and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret  - it  leads only to evil.

For those who are evil will be destroyed,

but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy peace and prosperity. 

The wicked plot against the righteous

and gnash their teeth at them;

but the LORD laughs at the wicked,

for he knows their day is coming. 

Psalm 37: 1 - 13 (NIV)

A Psalm of David 

Saturday Sewing

 "Anyone who works on a quilt, who devotes her time, energy, creativity and passion to that art, learns to value the work of her hands. And as any quilter will tell you, a quilter's quilting friends are some of the dearest, most generous, and most supportive people she knows."

Jennifer Chiaverini

"No matter where your sewing and quilting take you, go confidently with the precision and reliability of your Janome." Janome... This company is celebrating it 100th Anniversary this year. 

My cousin Cindy has been quilting all day on her new machine. I look forward to sharing some of her finished quilts later this year. 

Special thanks for to Cindy for sharing this picture of her new machine. 

On daily life ...in 2021

 On daily life : "We must show, not merely in great crisis, but in the everyday life, the qualities of practical intelligent, of courage, of hardihood,  and endurance, and above all the power of devotion to a lofty ideal, which made great the men who founded the Republic in the days Washington, which made great the men who preserved this Republic in the days of Abraham Lincoln."

Teddy Roosevelt 

May the leaders in our country show these qualities as they deliberate important issues in our country. May we exhibit these qualities in our lives.