THIS – Thank Heaven in Savoring. 

You could say THIS about weekends “Thank Heaven it’s Saturday” – yes! And “Thank Heaven it’s Sunday” and with more time to sit on Sunday: “Thank Heaven I’m Sitting” – resting my feet – after “Thank Heaven I’m Standing” – still mobile – plus the best resting in the Lord: “Thank Heaven I’m STILLed”…

Yes, “THIS” praise for Sunday and for Studies and Sermons because I got to be in church live plus online church too. Thank the Lord for amazing things there! THIS – Thank You Lord for the walk I took to decompress my weekend.

And thank You Lord for sitting down too, whew, because Saturday was SO BUSY! Good busy! But busy busy busy…  Praise Busy Summer and Early Fall.

THIS is how I had to decompress my weekend by writing last night until I was too tired – finishing this morning – also I am aware it was a tough weekend for many – friends who lost loved ones and are facing uncertainties – mourn with those who mourn – plus pray for all those people we don’t know who are hurting.  Lord forgive me as I write about my weekend – Lord grant us all Your mercy and faith to find Your Peace.:

Saturday, I drove my son down to the university culinary school and surrounding area, a beautiful campus in just a small space, indoor European-like courtyard, champagne bubble dining room, bakery and hotel concierge entry, THIS is calling out for a future visit, even Saturday brunch one time… I got to sit on a rocking chair on the porch in the middle of somewhere like nowhere I’ve been… got there 9am (city driving is best off-peak), delicious pastries and breakfast sandwich to go… and go I went! Worth driving 30 minutes to sit on the rocking chair for 5 minutes more… Savoring…

Then 11am Saturday having driven back – I got to a park festival with a loaded Subaru of fun… next to our community kids craft tent I ran a science station, fun phun with pH and red cabbage juice changing colors! Kids mesmerized, adults appreciative… and when I had a chance I said ‘adding just the little bit of acid vinegar or base baking soda could change the color that dramatically, imagine what a little prayer can do for a situation’, ‘God is amazing and can do anything’… I also got to share giving away Bible-based books in this public park event… it is a blessing to give away blessings… THIS is a favorite day for me now each year – a church setting in the park event – why don’t all churches run to these events (?)… You get more by giving than selling a craft or food – just give and just enjoy neighbors plus Music, Manageable Mayhem, More… Thank God I bring my own stool for sitting perfect kid height at the table. But also thank You, Lord, for the prayer concerns I heard from others – and that one little girl who encouraged me in her faith too – ah the blessings of being with God’s children…

And speaking of encouragement, that’s how I rolled it into my children’s message for Sunday, THIS, with leftover red purple juice – a lesson of blessing of encouragement possibilities (see the cartoon  of compliments) speaking of how a little prayer changes everything – because God gives Spirit without measure, He is not stingy with it – He doesn’t hold back as Jesus was given full power as All in All, full power and authority (see John the Baptist speaking about Jesus in John 3). THIS – Thankful Heaven inthe Son!

THISSS – Thank Heaven I Scored Sixth Shot! Yeah! Sunday after church I got my updated covid booster, this will be an annual thing now I’m sure after the 2.5 years of shots, which means 3.5 years we’ve had covid conversations – I’m so glad we are on this side of the pandemic. I’ve heard of some covid cases now and OUTSIDE is STILL the best place to be – but grateful to be inside with no fear because we are always subject to human frailty and the Lord’s strength, so just keep living!!!. I’m SO grateful to be best covered with an updated vaccine because of THIS – ‘Totally Hopping IntoThe SKY… yes, FLYING soon – YES VACATION – my last week-sized chunk of time… THIS – Thank Heaven In Savoring.

Ah… I also had opportunity to chat with friends over the weekend and appreciate it was not raining, and appreciate the autumn weather while holding onto summer temps too. THIS morning: “Thank Heaven in SummerBugs” – open window and hearing them so loud in their last hurrah…

THIS – GRATEFULNESS – Lord help me bring it into this work week- help me get nose-down in progress and head-up in praise. I know that the Lord gives Spirit smiles and let me be contagious with those. I know that the Lord gives peace, and for all my hurting friends and family, please Lord, restore their spiritual strength. 

May we all tap into THIS – This Heaven Invigorating Spirit – THESE GIFTS

Whoever believes in Eternal life as a gift, may they also give out the gifts God gives – give out their imbued powers of encouragement,  teaching, wisdom, shepherding, administrating, leading, mercy, faith, hope and always desiring learning. May we ALL use the God Gifts He has given us for THIS moment to point back to Him as the Giver. Let us “behave like a Christian” as the author of Roman’s asks – and be real in real situations – but be better than worldly strife. BRING GOD’S BEST!

Today Is Underway!  Lord – Thank You for This New Day!

Amen 

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The One who comes from above is above all;… … The one who comes from heaven is above all… … For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. From John the Baptist speaking about Jesus.. John 3 excerpts by John the Baptist speaking.

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Romans 12 – Living Sacrifices to God

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts – For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian – Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore: 
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

AMEN AMEN