Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day to honor the graves of those who died in the Civil War. Today, we celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday in May to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military.
Words from the song Taps.
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, and the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if your care - then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top, Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand.'
Philippians 2 : 1 -4 (The Message)
Millie is making her second appearance as pet of the week. Her last appearance was when she was a tiny kitten. No longer a kitten, she spends her days relaxing, taking cat naps, eating, and sleeping. I wonder... Does she still play with her toys?
"Friendship is a sheltering tree."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Last night we have enjoyed a sweet Sunday school fellowship at a local restaurant. These beautiful women have served as Sunday School Teachers for the past year via Zoom. In addition, we celebrated "M" as she graduated from Law School.
💖
Today was special. It was the first time in over a year that I visited my friend's home. She treated me to a lovely lunch. What a joy to visit, talk, and laugh. I returned home with treats to share with hubby.
"Mental illness is
considered taboo in
the African American
community,
Many of us try to
mask our illness or
pray it away, which in
turn perpetuates
stigma.
Let's eradicate stigma.
Asking for help is
#notacharacterflaw"
Valerie
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“In the last days God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your young men will see visions,
Your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days
And they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
And sings on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and
glorious day of the LORD
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be
Saved.
Acts 2:14 - 21
"Nail polish
without a
sparkle
is like a
cake with no
frosting."
Source: TheSalonBusiness.com
My daughter and I enjoy pedicures. It is difficult to believe the last time we enjoyed a pedicure was in the spring of 2019. This month, we enjoyed our first one with this 3 year old. Yes, she was pregnant with this little one back in 2019. In July, we celebrate her 4th birthday.
"Telling the truth
and making
someone cry
is better than
telling a lie and making
someone smile."
Paolo Coelho
"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and cool breeze when the day is warm."
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to a Young Woman from the Laura Ingall Wilder: On Wisdom and Virtues
This week, hubby and I have traveled to four cities in two states to visit family. We enjoyed brunch, conversations in living rooms, watched a fast- pitch softball game, and a soccer game.
what happened in those cities... a visit with my 93 year old aunt, a visit with my great- great nieces, sat on hard metal bleachers to watch a fast-pitch softball, and listening to the cheerful chatter of a three-year old. Be intentional ... plan time to visit those you love.
"The strongest people
aren't always the people
who win,
but the people who
Don't give up
when they lose. "
Unknown quote
This is my great niece, Brooklyn. She pitched for five innings, had a single, and had a home run. While the team does not have a winning season. They do not give up. Families do not give up on each other.
In 1966, the Pendleton Lions Club erected a stone marker at Fall Creeks Park. Fifty-five years later, I read marker for the first time. Sometimes, we need fresh eyes to see places where we grew up. Growing up in the area, I was not aware of the facts listed.
Here are a few facts.
Note: Fredrick Douglass is the correct spelling. I image the stone cutters thought they did not have sufficient space for his entire name. I have to thank my brother for telling me to look for this marker.
Also, please mark you calendar for Wednesday, July 7, 2021 is National Tell the Truth Day. I reality, telling the truth everyday, inspires trust and confidence.
There is only one problem. There is limited seating.
Kristin Swenson has written a book titled, " A Most Peculiar Book The Inherent Strangeness of the Bible'. Does this title intrigue you? Who is Kristin Swenson? She teaches religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her Masters and Ph.D from Boston University. She is also an award winning screenplay writer. Check out her website.
I humbly suggest that your time might be better invested by instead of just reading the Bible... study it. I love the fact that attorneys and professors who wanted to dispute the claims of the Bible, began by researching the claims in the Bible.
First it was an academic exercise. Then, something happened. Individuals discovered that there are no inconsistencies in the Bible. For example, Lee Strobel was an atheist. Then, as a journalist he began investigating the claims Christ. He wrote about his quest in his book, The Case for Christ.
Another unlikely convert is Rosaria Butterfield. She is a former professor of English and Women's Studies at Syracuse University. One of her books, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert is worth reading about her spiritual journey.
Well... What about first hand experiences? Research the claims regarding God for yourself.
Thousands of women and men have just completed the study of Genesis. All over the world, BSF individuals are sharing how this study has impacted their lives. Individuals are meetings in homes, churches, and via Zoom sharing how God has changed their lives, deepened their love for God and others, and comforted them in struggles.
My question would be rather than Why Read the Bible... Why Study the Bible? Simply, It will change your life.
"Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to
be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have
done,
and let her works bring her praise at
the city gate.
Proverbs 31: 28 - 31
It is a Friday afternoon, I see two African American men playing chess in a restaurant. All around the men, you see waiters serving patrons, you can hear muffled conversations, and in the background you hear music.
I ask... "May, I take your picture?" One gentleman nods ... the other man says yes.
Are you interesting in learning more about the game of Chess in the United States? I suggest you visit the United State Chess Federation website.
"Never be proud nor depressed for what you are and the position you hold in society. Remember, after the game of Chess, Kings and Pawns go in the same box."
"A good physician treats the disease, the great physician treats the patient who has the disease ..."
Did you know that there are 154 Medical Degree programs in the United States.
Meharry is one .
"Meharry is located in Nashville, Tennessee and is the one of the oldest and largest of historically black health academic health science centers dedicated to educating physicians, dentists, researchers, and health policy experts."
Meharry Medical College is a HBCU ( Historically Black College and University). Are you familiar with Meharry?
Here are the CORE Values @ Meharry Medical College
I agree...
What do you enjoy about the Kentucky Derby?
Here are a few of the things I enjoy about the Kentucky Derby... Thoroughbred horses, Grey Colts, Fashion, Derby Hats, Mint Juleps ( never tasted one) and Kentucky Derby Parties.
While these horses are not thoroughbreds, they are cute toys.
