Keep What Keeps You – Don’t Quit God – Psalm 9

I enjoyed being outside yesterday – knowing that today will be rainy – and well Autumn is upon us – Fall is falling temperatures and falling leaves and sometimes falling in sadness that summer is done – and yet the temperature is more manageable to be able to THINK – as too hot is too hot… Falling seasons is also feeling like hunkering down and yet we are to remember that it is not hard to throw a sweatshirt on and get back outside…

The night falls faster too – it gets dark earlier and this is probably why the fall TV season starts up this time of year – and the only new offering that I am interested in will be Survivor – and well everything else on TV is just not seemingly worth it – nor is most of the new Roku lineup that I now have investigated after my youngest got one – honestly the only thing I saw last night worth anything was classic old fare: was a few minutes of the A-team – of Carol Burnett – and I don’t even remember now – (and sad for me to complain when I should have been thankful I had the downtime). SO, then I went to YouTube and after watching an interview with Ringo Starr, I stumbled upon a rabbit hole of another great force in entertainment from years ago – Mae West… Yeah much more interesting than junk TV of the 2000’s or 80’s was the EARLY TV 1950’s Red Skelton comedic bits with Mae West.

Yes, Mae was quite the firework sparking attention – of what is now “Old Hollywood” but with sassy Vaudeville roots and scandalous new New York stage ventures… (Yeah scandalous)… Probably people in show business today have a fraction of her spunk as well as power. She was so strong that she was able to keep WC Fields from drinking for a movie!!! However her publicity for bad press was still good publicity – and Mae West was a woman who worked hard and knew her power. Her attitude and one-liner comebacks were notorious and stunning. She even made good publicity use of her short prison sentence for her indecent show and they say she simply stayed pampered on the Welfare Island NY (now Roosevelt Island park with stunning views of NYC).

What struck me in one interview – with giddy interviewers like Dick Cavett – was a sentence that she essentiallu said: “Keep what Keeps You…” – she was asked about her sucess in living and she said she did not drink or smoke – and when asked about her diary she said: “I figure everybody should – yeah I figure you keep a diary and someday it may keep you!”… smirking laughter – but what a nugget of thought… Keep what keeps you…

And that is the big nugget of more than thought but the ultimate “Keep what (WHO) Keeps you.” – and this ties back to our thoughts of us and God – which we should say God and us – we keep the faith because He keeps us – we have to realize that He kept us first – made us too – and sure we often still do wonder our place in this world, so we need to realize that our FAITH is what is keeping us grounded and able to keep moving – and able to rest without falling into fear or fret or worse… Keep what is Keeing you – keep faith – keep God as focus – keep going…

And do I advise keeping a “diary” or conversation going with God? (written or otherwise?) YOU BETCHA!!! I am so much better when I start my day with discussing life with God – checking in – surely not listening enough but God always says: Oh I know the plan I have for you – keep going – keep listening – and ESPECIALLY KEEP FOLLOWING… (and after a good rest or at least some rest – yes we should praise the Lord that He wants us to refuel….)

One more mini-rabbit hole for video watching was a faith clip from 70s or 80s TV show “All in the Family” – a scene from “Edith” played so masterful by Jean Stapleton and son-in-law “Meathead/Mike” played so well by Rob Reiner – and she questioned her faith after their friend was murdered (that show pushed all the social controversies of the day into rivetting thoughtful episodes while still being a comedy) and the conversation went like this: Edith said she didn’t understand God – and Mike asked ‘well what subject did you hate the most and not understand in school’ – “Algebra” Edith answered – and Mike said: but you didn’t quit school – and Edith gave the most thoughtful of poses – of course that means that if you don’t understand all that God is doing – don’t quit God… DON’T QUIT GOD!!!

True – we don’t understand everything – barely a fraction it seems in people’s actions and evil in the world – don’t understand from the beginning of time on earth the fierceness of cowardness in doing the right thing – but that doesn’t mean that WE don’t do the right thing – and that doesn’t mean that WE don’t keep the faith. We is our limited view = and THEE is God Almighty. Don’t Quit God – because God is NOT quitting you!! and Keep what keeps you – yeah FAITH…

“those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” from Psalm 9

Amen

Psalm 9 NKJV

Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Righteous Judgments
To the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David.

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment.
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.

Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.

The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
Meditation. Selah

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

It’s the People! It’s the People!

It was a slowdown Sunday after a fabulous set up Saturday. (a rambling post about the weekend)…

Sunday was of course a blessing to give a sermon at our church. However small a group, I pray the message resonated. The Word moves and is alive. And I always have the thought in the background that my sermon that day also becomes my writing – and it is not 2 birds with one stone – but 2 missions with one message. And there is a double mission in writing – these emails go out to 73 people personally and then the posts that I make on DebbieUpper.blog go out to many people unknown – sometimes they “like” the page and I think my readership is at about 75 people. Again – no one HAS to read these but just know that I HAVE to write. It is social in a silent way. And with this month – I cross into the 3000th writing blog – yeah 125 chapters done (printed too in duplicate) – and Lord knows where this goes – or just simmers – it is social silent spiritual specialness.

It’s the People!!!

An Sunday post message, I went to the thrift store to find my costume for an upcoming event for scouts – a mystery dinner – for the older girls – and yes, we had a fun read-through on Friday night – people who love people – and we loved it… and I was quietly social with messages as I got my stuff and sent pics… fun to have companions who are not even with you… And then the cashier – I was able to encourage him with his discussion for finding a new job – and referred him to a local job helping agency! ENCOURAGEMENT!

It’s the People – and encouragement!

Sunday also found me catching up with finishing a great movie – “9 to 5” – I had not remembered most of it and I think it stands up with such a creative movie…. Sunday was then completed with a bible study by zoom and the concept that I had not heard – that the story of the adulterous woman in the book of John was kinda just stuck in there and the teacher pastor said he does not believe it is “canonical” – meaning once it got put into copy (predating the KJV) it stayed in – but it distracts from the whole of the chapter 7 – so interesting and so we discussed that section first – still so meaningful as a story and not saying it was not true but that it didn’t belong in that middle section from the crafting of the translations… Interesting gluing…

GLUING! I continued during my bible study and after to make these collages of photos for my cousin for his birthday in October – they are 80’s 90’s 2000’s photos (and I found a couple to reprint from real young childhood to add in) – and I know he will love it = as much as I loved putting it together – it is silent moments of loud memories in fading colors – and they glue together nice as collage pages.

It’s about the People – and this is about my cousin and the fun we all had as a family.

SO – social was good in some silence and solemness on Sunday – social media brought me quickly to the farm I had been meaning to go to – just the store and social media showed the last of the BIG peaches and I ran up there and got one and got a pretty photo too – and we all were grabbing peaches from the quick thinking “run” up there after their Facebook post – and then I sat at the table and organized some items including my thoughts – and then someone called me to say they had rice pudding for me leftover from a picnic – and yum – and gave them some corn on the cob ($3 a dozen – so gave them half) – yum… Today the farm itself is open and I many go there just for the wagon ride…

It’s about the People! The people stopping for the picking up of pleasant experiences (and peaches)…

And Saturday I enjoyed being social in a non-silent ways too – and yeah Saturday was fun… I helped my friend at her art studio space – well I don’t think I did enough helping at her table but did try to help clean up when it was done… I was busy too – TALKING – no surprise… I had a great interaction with all the people coming in for both projects = yes they were there to look at art but honestly the people who sat down to make art (or craft art) gave us the gamut of great interactions – really was a blessing to be with them all – in a joyous manner. (And I loved the crafting and the art – they blend for me – and it is the art of people interactions which is a God-given gift I appreciate).

SO – as the people came in – they sat – and this was the tip and trick I had for sucess that day – I SAT DOWN TOO – and yes I did get up too – but I did not stay on my feet all day… There were lots of stools and chairs – and sitting “to take a load off” was a welcome time for many… The invitation was to come make a gelli print (at my friend’s station) where paint is dabbed on a piece of gelatin and then rolled (less is more) to blend colors – and then maybe marked up with stamps or lace or whatever – and then a piece of paper overlayed to absorb the imprint and then peeled off. BEAUTIFUL and every one was unique (the prints and the people)… The color combinations were fun and it was a great way to tell each person: “GREAT JOB”!!! Perhaps this is why the sitting down (or standing) is so therapeutic – you use your hands, let your mind intermingle, and then voila you get art…

It’s the People – It’s the People!!!

Another people interaction was with the other artists at the show/event – the three other women in our studio were treasures of folks – interesting and talented and giving – and smiles smiles smiles… We were all happy to be there. And the woman accross the hall did these amazing huge collages – like of glass and mirrors – like of other objects – it could be both an obsession and a lot of time – and she told me that the one of glass which I loved – that the glass pieces had sat under her desk for a long time before she finally got to making it… I loved both the art and the interactions – and of course taking photos.

It’s the People – It’s the People!!!

PHOTOS!!!!

I know something about photos – especially recently – and sat down at a table to glue photos to cardstock folded cards (that came with envelopes, a great deal at the Michaels craft store! with coupons!) – and welcomed the people to come sit down – and craft some memories into a card that could be shared. It was neat to see the young men who came first – of special needs but of special talents – special abilities… One was so vocally thrilled when I mentioned that I had photos of racecars. I can still hear him – “Racecars racecars!!!” – and with all the children who sat down it was a joy to see them thinking – and for this one racecare affecianato, well I watched him make a glue stick square or rectangle that was just right for the photo – even though I had recommended to others to glue the photo back first rather than the paper – this young gentleman just went full steam ahead at gluing and his way was right – because he had the visual perception to make the template glue the right size = LIKE I SAID IT IS ALL ABOUT ABILITIES – and I love watching brains think…

The photos of cats? well they went fast – to young and old alike – we probably had like 30 or 40 people who came and did projects over the course of 6 hours – and one mom was taken aback at how her young daughter showed such an old soul in a moment of picking a photo of a dilapidated barn and pairing it with a pink card background – and yes it worked! And I can still see the mom with an amazement at where that came from her daughter’s soul… And then there was set of people who organically fed off each other – strangers but then became collage-rs having to share scissors – well they loved the creating and we did share the scissors and beautifully they crafted – with a eye of art – one gentleman sat to “take a load off” while his partner was doing the gelli print – and I invited him to craft a card – and he took the mini photos of things that his 20 month year old would recognize – a cat – a helicopter – a train – and he was so precise in his gluing and layout – cool – and then another gentleman (they were about 30) came and sat down and he beemed at the photo of the McDonalds arches – and yeah it was from the 80’s – and wow – this was fun – and then the woman next to him started cutting and collaging a farm scene – so awesome and I had let her borrow my reading glasses and even though I became anxious for their return, I was patient (tried hard) and she did – and we both loved the finished product as well as the producing… A woman from the other room came in and marvelled at the young (mid-aged) men sitting and crafting and it just sparked her thankfulness for such a sight! FUN… And the woman who came to do the gelli print – she asked if she could take some cut outs home – and I said sure – she does an art journaling at home – cool…. (and some folks did give some money which I id not force or enforce which took care of the funding for the paper and glue – and it all works out in joy as priceless in my opinion…) And although I enjoyed making some cards myself in a silent social setting previously – this cemented how blessed it was that I loved the vocal social sit down for these activities…

It’s about the PEOPLE!!!

One woman (a friend of a friend) saw the Macy’s parade photos from the 80’s and she mentioned that she was a balloon handler for like 8 years – marvelous chatting and enjoyed seeing the photos – art therapy is talk therapy too – reminishing is remembering and reframing thoughts into processed parts – joys and everything in between.

It’s about the PEOPLE PROCESSING !!! (thus this long post, lol)

I wanted to re-write mention about the cutting out of things, my aunt (who took these photos) did that a lot, from glossy newspaper coupon pages she would cut pictures of cats or random jars of peanut butter or whatever- we would laugh finding the pics in games or puzzle boxes. And when I was keeping my kids busy as little ones – scissors and gluesticks or elmer’s glue was a great project – we made giant collages of photos of halloween or flowers – love me some arts and crafts – but yeah also good to keep the kids busy – and I always tell people that when my oldest was about 2, I let her sit with safety scissors cutting out paper – and she just cut and cut and I called it “making confetti” – and she now (over 20 years later) is an architect – made the cut! Awesome!

It’s about the people and learning what makes them tick – and learning about ourselves too – and some people are not people people – but they all want to be heard – that I am sure of – our social nature is just wanting to be known – and God gave us the Proverbs to talk about us wanting wisdom – and the best wisdom is sometimes knowing ourselves… I love meeting people this weekend to know more about myself – I appreciated my alone times to reinforce what I was learning and relearning about myself and my motivations in this season – sometimes life is alot to process and we are unique in processing….

I think that the Lord has made us so unique and intricate and also given us times of downtime which heal our souls – soak our souls in saturating peace – and rest our feet too – yeah – art is the eye of loving how God made people so unique – we are His ultimate collage of collection of children – ready to bless each other – ready to be filled with His Love of knowing we are blessed to live…

Amen

from Proverbs 2:2-3 “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding….”

Proverbs 2 NKJV

The Value of Wisdom

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.

When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths;
To deliver you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words,
Who forsakes the companion of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God.
For her house leads down to death,
And her paths to the dead;
None who go to her return,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—
So you may walk in the way of goodness,
And keep to the paths of righteousness.
For the upright will dwell in the land,
And the blameless will remain in it;
But the wicked will be cut off from the earth,
And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

Sermon share: The Reverent Fear of the Lord is the Start of Wisdom, Proverbs 1-2

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7 NKJV
The Beginning of Knowledge
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Sermon – The Reverent Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom – 20SEP2026

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” We say that all the time, but do we fear the Lord enough to really investigate what that means. Yes, we can wrap our heads around wanting wisdom, we all want that I hope, we all could thrive in wisdom, that’s not like knowing the future – with a magic 8 ball – but wisdom that comes from a pure source – from God… Yes, it is easy to realize whether we have wisdom or not, we should and probably we know we want it. WISDOM…

The fear though? I bet none of us fear enough. This is NOT SIMPLY to mean that we are to be ANXIOUS scared, fear of DOOM, but have a REVERENT fear of the Lord in realization that God is God and we are not. That’s a healthy fear, that’s the start of wisdom.

“Healthy fear” – which it is – is reverence and just a start – so can add that reverence in God gets us to change our ways. I have friends who are examples to me – an example that the Lord is “picking on us” – not in that way of Jaws, cue the music – dunnn – na, dunnn – na, dunnn – na…. but that the Lord is picking us out – picking us up… The Lord is a shark circling us for the kill? – no – the Lord is circling us to come in for the kill of the sin and death and of our worldly views – the Lord is circling us – FOR THE LIFE THAT HE WANTS US TO HAVE. This should bring us some wisdom – or at least appreciation of the Lord – He wants to bring us LIFE. God Knows Best – like Father Knows Best – yeah… Solomon would write: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; ¹²For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father, the son in whom he delights.”

My friend who is a pastor now, Pastor “N”, well he tells the story of his life – of how the Lord got a hold of him – how the Lord severely shook him up – Him then young – certainly never could envision him being a pastor, even though his mom was an awesome minister) – well N was a wayward youth – living what he thought was the good life – party party party – even came inebriated at least once (I think this is how the story goes that he recounted) to church as a young man – came in still inebriated from the night before and they were lighting the advent wreath and well – the fire… (don’t worry – all was OK – and taken care of) – but yeah he remembers the wayward ways of not having reverence for the Lord – not in His house – in spite of his family – just off the rails. Financially awful – eating cold cans of food without a decent home – yeah bad… Well, one day he was in the bar – quite inebriated and THEN SNAP – like a snap of fingers – He heard God talking to him and N became stone cold sober in a second – instant – miraculous – boom… Yeah God can do that – yeah – it taught him some fear – it taught him lots of reverence – and yeah – wisdom??? Yeah – wisdom is as the proverbs say: the beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom!!! and the scriptures state to not stop there. KEEP LEARNING MORE WHAT THE LORD HAS INSTORE. Yes it helps us – but imagine how many more lives each person saved for the Lord’s work can help – we grow as community when we grow each in ourselves:

“LET THE WISE LISTEN AND ADD TO THEIR LEARNING, AND LET THE DISCERNING GET GUIDANCE “ – that is: “To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion – A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel…”

IF WE KNOW HOW GOD IS GOD – WHO WOULDN’T WANT HIS COUNCIL!

(and yes Pastor N now – is a wise man of council… ) Yeah God got him GOOD!!! And FOR HIS and GOD’s GOOD!!!

And I have seen many a friend who inspires me in their weakness but in God’s Strength – please continue to pray and know that God wants the best for them and for the people they are with. God ONLY wants good for us – we are weak but He is Strong!

Solomon (King after his dad David was king) would continue writing about this WISDOM – this is from Proverbs 2:1-12 – such good stuff:

The Value of Wisdom:

My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will PRESERVE you; Understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil….

And how do we use this wisdom ? – how do we “put your own oxygen mask on first, so that you can help others”? – how do we live in order to serve? One aspect of reverence of the Lord is to love His people.

Another aspect of reverence – healthy fear – is to stop complaining about every little thing and start appreciating blessings – like in the book of James – perseverance…

And a clear aspect of reverence is that famous saying: “God put you into this world and He can take you out!” – But God is not mean in that way = He has a purpose we don’t always see. And so since we are IN this world – God wants us to use wisdom to be wise – then we get to share the wealth of our wisdom and work – and our work isn’t always about elbow grease – it is more about giving credit where credit is due and praising God – all creation groans to praise Him – we should too…

We ALSO are to take our blessings and replenish those fertile fields that helped us – and replenish so that they help the increase for next time – like putting down good fertilizer – if this were gardening or farming – sometimes even letting the soil take a rest for one crop season – in other words, we need to listen to God to then know when to act – how to act – when to rest – and always to listen

Proverbs say: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

We also have the benefit of wisdom when we have that extra sense – to listen to God and not to the world – like I know something that might seem so silly or even stupid to some folks – even to our family – well if we have worked that out with God – if we trust our Good God and our guts – then we are probably on the right path… God puts us in the path of people whom He needs to encourage – so we are to ENCOURAGE WHEN ABLE – to HELP – Jesus said: ²⁷Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. ²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

This is the basis of our Know God, Show Love, Grow Community – isn’t it? We want all to know the blessings of God – and honestly it is part of our Great Commission too – to seriously say that we know it is God’s guidance –

God knows best, and why? BECAUSE HE LOVES US MORE – AS VERY GOOD – AS GOD IS LOVE AND CAN NOT NOT LOVE – SO HE WANTS THE BEST FOR US…

Jesus said look at the lilies of the field and as fine as Solomon dressed as good, yet here today gone tomorrow, the manmade stuff of life is but the briefest time, but how much more God loves us to keep us in forever, not necessarily here on earth, but forever with Him. Our reverence is in realizing His love enough to not spare His own son Jesus in exchange for our eternal life. That IS, He IS a God worth our reverence.

Previously in a sermon we spoke about not neglecting getting together for worship, Hebrews 10, and I noticed in the passages afterwards from Hebrews 10, a “fear” phrase which is clear – that we need to have a fearful check of reality to pay attention to God and accept His forgiveness and grace and instruction – verse 27 “. a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

We should know that as we draw nearer to God, He will help us keep from sinning, He will help us with His Wisdom and strength… and honestly, he would rather that we be weak so that HE can be strong in our lives. We have to reduce anxiety – that devil of doubt – and keep living – remember Jesus said alongside the lilies comparison, (also from Luke 12)

²⁹“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. ³¹But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Our wisdom has to say to us to be God’s wise follower = He is a jealous God and He will be looking for us as that one sheep of the lost 100 = He is looking for us and knows where we are – as in Psalm 139 – we can’t separate ourselves from God’s watchful eye…

And God needs us for times like these (like Queen Ester was called for her time = God has us here for these times!)

—

Conclusion: SO – Faith over Folly, Wisdom over Worldliness, and Fear of God over Forgetting God. It is worth reading these Proverbs – and living them – Solomon asked for the most important thing he could really use, WISDOM, not riches or long life. God gave generously all these to Solomon as well, God is generous that way. Was Solomon perfect??? No, not at all. Not at all. And lots of people after Solomon were also NOT perfect – and yet God continued to secure a remnant of the family line of David and Solomon through hard years of people not listening to God (Dave in many other sermons spoke of this). And we know from this Word of the promises in the scriptures – that THE WORD is Jesus and Jesus came through this lineage of David and Solomon = as promised: Jesus came.

And with our reverence of God – we are more able to listen to Jesus and follow the more narrow path – which we will find is very much more sure than the wider more deadly path of worldliness.

All told, the world still needs wisdom now. Our wisdom should tell us that God has instilled instructions inside of us, a Holy Spirit center in us pointing to Jesus growing, if we simply follow Him over distractions of the human heartaches of this world. Know them – see them – fix them best we can – think Globally and act Locally – act BOLDLY – and spread the Love – remember the “share a Coke and a smile” commercial – do whatever you can to share LIGHT in a dark world…

Please pray with me – Lord, we know you state that “whoever listens to me [God’s Wisdom] will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Keep us today in your grace and mercy and lead us to the people you want us to see. Amen

BENEDICTION:

Here is a poem about wisdom to set us off on a good day – listening to the Lord – being philosophical as well as practical

Wisdom is precious to Know,

A GIFT from God to help us grow.

When wisdom, like hidden treasure, is sought,

It is an easier path through life that is wrought.

Be God’s and fear Him, Awesomely,

Desire Understanding, Wholeheartedly.

The Righteous walk is with the Lord, not the human flatterer,

How God deals with them is a whole other matter.

Hide Commandments in your heart.

Quiet Discretion will make you appear SMART.

Side step all of evil’s ways,

Instead Lord, only YOU do we Praise.

Worthy is Your Word,

Your Wisdom calls out to be heard.

YOUR WISDOM CALLS OUT TO BE HEARD!

Amen – And have a wonderful day!!! God bless you and keep you!

CONTINUE KNOWING WISDOM… Proverbs 1 and 2

Busy busy busy – but in wisdom I know that this is a good thing for me –

Some keeping busy on the job hunting front – and I got to be the encourager yesterday for a new crop of job hunters – postdocs looking to break into industry and others – really I felt like since I had 20 plus years in industry, which they were all trying to break into, well yeah – I counted my blessings and connections and now can be that connection for others. Meanwhile my increase in likely consulting for both avenues: science/regulatory work and for helping people with clean up projects of their homes – digital scanning and garage digging and straightening etc, both avenues will increase in speed – because my life is as busy as it always was in SO MANY avenues… (This is also a good reason to take the train at times – getting somewhere but you aren’t driving – Let God drive)…

And the seminar on reskilling or retooling – well I was able to give the example of my ability in science and projects to break down a large project into small bits – well that ALSO pertains to looking at a pile and start in one corner and keep going – make things manageable and not do everything all at once and get there – things and life are split into finite chunks, so can our projects…

Yes – that is a retool of skills already had…

We all want to reskill or retool – and the difference in those things was a good ponder – reskilling takes time but retooling what you already have well that is a great thing to do – and that seminar (which also had a great free lunch) helped me focus and relax and rethink – and keep working my connections and what God has laid in front of me… Plus I got to walk a few extra minutes before getting back on the train (the train is a good ride) to a garden-like city block – where I sat at the bench were a beloved local DJ would sit – and it is now dedicated to him. Was a slice of nice… There was an art show going on too – outside – and yeah I loved the busy paintings of colors – that reflects my life and my attitude…

And it is now Saturday – and who doesn’t love a good saturday with good weather?!!!! SO many possibilities!!!

I’ve also in a plethora of lots of creative ways to share today – with art projects today with a friend at the local art studios – and last night a girl scout “reading” for a mystery play that I get to play in – it was sitting around the patio with friends and so welcomed to my counting of blessings – so good… And now I have to be creative and get my costume together!!!

But immediately, I was just now putting together my sermon for tomorrow and this poem I wrote years ago is worth a repost – about wisdom – and keeping looking for it… Be philosophical as well as practical… Proverbs 1, 2, and more – yeah good…

OK – here is the poem – and let me now get up and ROAM…

AMEN and have a great day!

WISDOM CALLS OUT TO BE HEARD!

Wisdom is precious to Know,

A GIFT from God to help us grow.

When wisdom, like hidden treasure, is sought,

It is an easier path through life that is wrought.

Be God’s and fear Him, Awesomely,

Desire Understanding, Wholeheartedly.

The Righteous walk is with the Lord, not the human flatterer,

How God deals with them is a whole other matter.

Hide Commandments in your heart.

Quiet Discretion will make you appear SMART.

Side step all of evil’s ways,

Instead Lord, only YOU do we Praise.

Worthy is Your Word,

Your Wisdom calls out to be heard.

YOUR WISDOM CALLS OUT TO BE HEARD!

Amen

And have a wonderful day!!! God bless you and keep you!

Here is the link to proverbs 1 and 2 – life lessons to listen to God https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%201-2&version=NIV;NKJV

I Lift Up My Eyes, Psalm 121

Love this Psalm 121 = not only from the Sound of Music – but it is the most best way to pray to the Lord with realization that He DOES make a difference in our lives.

The Lord has made ALL the difference in my life. My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

I heard back from a position I had applied for – and they went with another candidate – and yes I understand – and I don’t feel slighted or overlooked – but still a bit sad – but I know that the Lord has plans for me – MANY plans – so I will keep looking – keep pushing – keep waiting – keep believing. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

And I went to a traditional job fair today – and I enjoyed chatting with people so very much… I had a good conversation with a particular place but know it is not for me (not saying others can’t do it – but not for me…) And I appreciated that the Lord gave me the pause and the prayer and the purpose. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

And how much more comfort do I have that the Lord is thinking about me – about us – all the time – never sleeping – never forgetting – now and always. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Yes – we have the Lord to look too – to Him – to His Power – and to His Hope. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Amen and Amen!

—

Psalm 121 NKJV
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
A Song of Ascents.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

LIGHT OVERCOMES the darkness

It’s always a good reminder that the bible is very consistent and tells us that LIGHT has overcome darkness and darkness will NEVER overcome light ever again. And we are taught, and hopefully we feel and know JESUS as the LIGHT of the world.

SCRIPTURE CLEARLY CALLS OUT JESUS: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

SCRIPTURE CREDITS GOD AND JESUS FOR ALL THINGS: All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

SCRIPTURE SAYS LIFE AND LIGHT SHINES, AND DARKNESS DOESN’T EVEN UNDERSTAND LIGHT, DARKNESS CAN’T WITHSTAND IT NOR OVERCOME IT. JESUS WINS:

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

SCRIPTURE IS THE WORD, IS JESUS, AND KNEW AND KNOWS THE WHOLE PLAN, LET US TAP INTO HIS LIGHT! HIS TRUTH! HIS LOVE, GRACE, AND MERCY:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

AMEN AND THANK YOU LORD!

—

John 1:1-14 NKJV

The Eternal Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John’s Witness: The True Light

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Howdeeeee Lord!!!!! Psalm 118

Before you go down rabbit holes of video watching – think to yourself both of the time and the memories – and if it is worth the time. Well, I found an amazing rabbit hole that I felt was well worth it last evening – I enjoyed a whole lot of Minnie Pearl – wow – “Howwwwddddeeeeeeee!” (turns out her birthday and mine are the same!)

Do you remember Minnie Pearl? Well, I paused my video to ask my daughter – but she never heard of her – and I felt a failure of my upbringing of my kids for stuff that I knew – but since we don’t watch much TV anymore these days and have little of the “good” 70’s variety shows shown anymore, well wow, I guess she wouldn’t have been exposed to Minnie Pearl – nor to “Hee Haw” – wow I had to explain that too…

What a shame of loss when we don’t even know what we missed! Surely others would say that of us too. Time for us on the earth is so short – such opportunity but such finality of time we have and of the time we take.

My deep dive into Minnie Pearl was only a few hours – in downtime – but well I appreciated the memories and even the new footage for me. Minnie’s self-deprecating humor was always combined with her own laughing – it was effortless funny in appearance and she easily played off of others… She called herself a buffoon as a comedian saying that there are few that want to do what she did. And she had to work early on to get her comedic timing – these things are learned as well as ingrained. She spent much time on “Hee Haw” which must have been where I learned about her. And in the Grand Ole Opry, she was a staple – being invited to be a member just after her first routine – a throwback to Vaudeville performances (at least my daughter had heard of Vaudeville). Minnie even did many USO apprearances in war-zones. She is worth knowing about if you don’t know her – and her comedy still translates 50 plus years later via Youtube videos. They are a good rabbit hole of funny stuff. “COUSIN, MINNIE PEARL!!!!” her sidekick would yell. And the price tag dangling from her hat was always swinging because Minnie was always laughing!

How about us? Like to laugh or at least smirk? Do we appreciate those who want us to laugh – to lighten our load – who know they have a sparkle to share? How amazing that humor has made it to be part of our lives. God surely knew that we needed to laugh – we needed to sing and dance – we needed to appreciate downtime – and even when we were and are always thinking… “A cheerful heart is good as medicine“… Proverbs 17:22

And how does the Lord know that His stories of His people will always continue – surely in this finite world of everything – knowing God and His stories are always a fulfilling journey for us – knowing continuation and history which touches our souls is woven into the thirst we have. Laughing at these video clips is but a fraction of time – but knowing God’s Love and HIS-story in History is going to sustain us forever.

Let us keep living and working and knowing today is a gift for today. We will enjoy the ride that is short – but the view that is long.

“Today is the day the Lord has made.” Psalm 118:24…

“We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Amen and Howdeeeee to You Lord, today…

Amen

—

Psalm 118 NKJV
Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”

I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.

All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.

The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord has chastened me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will go through them,
And I will praise the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord,
Through which the righteous shall enter.

I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
God is the Lord,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

1979 clip: https://youtu.be/lbtC15yhDlU?si=52M8T0AvhjcbW3jE

Later Interview: https://youtu.be/7d1TRxVRzU4?si=TJCWKUSFmQ8LGMAO

How to catch a man: https://youtu.be/IHSsN3w9Mow?si=aEX6sHHlFYgK475g

This is your life – Ralph Edwards – about Minnie Pearl

Shake It Off and Keep Going, Acts 27-28 NKJV

It’s amazing we are afforded the ability to ponder then proceed. Because remember the simple fact: if we are still alive, then God has a PURPOSE for us, and while discovering this, we also get to play … ponder proceed play ponder again…

(Yesterday I wrote this on the beach… Today I am home job searching – always a balance…)

I am sitting in the shaded sunshine under the beach pier, watching the waves and the people. The water is warm. I see two gentlemen kicking a tennis ball as they walk, a little 2-3yr old scooping sand watching her father make a little sand castle and then him helping her rinse her hands in the waves by holding her up in the air – fun, I think the beach is where I see dads consistently playing with their children – blessed sight… Mom and grandma are looking on in delight too… Then some people are reading, some are sleeping (which I just woke from a needed nap myself), and others are splashing in the waves. You would have not known from a morning of pouring pouring rain, that this afternoon would be so very sunny beautiful. I enjoy the shake of the pier – almost cold in the breeze so I slid to the sun with a blanket to block the sunburning.

And sweetly I had a picnic lunch after church today in the great Auditorium of Ocean Grove, with Salvation Army band majestic playing, so nice to sit and absorb the majesty of it all, then I went over to “Days” had my ice cream, key lime pie, yum… Key Lime Pie ice cream is my favorite summer flavor there – but they have not had it but I saw a woman walking out with some – and she said she had to ask for them to get it from the back – so I did – and wow yum…

The church sermon stuck with me as much as the music did – even more: The sermonist said: be Heaven looking and earthly acting to purposely help others. Yes, let the Lord find your work for you, let the Lord open up your path, be of His Purpose. (The YouTube link is below).

The sermonist’s scripture was Acts 27, as Paul continued traveling a dangerous voyage but knowing God promised their safety (even if the ship would wreck and it did). Paul’s purpose was to trust God and talk to Caesar himself in Rome – sharing all along the way – months even years(?)… Paul’s journey was not just about the destination but the witnessing he did all long the way (ours too). So I reread both Acts 27-28 right now, on the beach, because it does really show God being purposeful in protecting Paul’s mission. Paul even shakes off a deadly viper bite. Just lives… and lives for God… Please do read his amazing adventure.

How about us? Can we shake off the deadly snares, crashes, wipeouts, wrath? Can we keep going? Surely God knows the plan and firms up our paths, and if we are still alive here on earth then we have a part of His Plan to be in. And surely our existence of being fallen people from Adam and Eve consequences (plus our own foibles) means we already WERE bit by the snake of sin and death, so that ONLY by God, His grace and mercy, will we rise again. Jesus saves, and stays with us.

In other words, you have already been saved in the victory of Jesus. Live as saved people. Washed clean, and Jesus is still scrubbing anything new. Actually Jesus is overlaying us with HIS purity. We are going to be OK. SO shake off the ugh of life.

Shake it all off, like sand from our beach time, shake off pain, shake off disbelief, shake off unknown, and keep going. Shake off fear. Shake off deadly attacks.

Shine instead. Shine hope. Shine life. Shine understanding. Shine LOVE…

Shine Jesus…

And keep going…

Amen

(sermon starts at the 48 minute mark and salvation army music all throughout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptL1mr3VX3c&t=3003s)

Acts 27-28 – The Voyage to Rome Begins – And when it – Bible Gateway https://share.google/DnI9U6QaJEE1eaUwx

Acts 27-28 NIV

Paul Sails for Rome

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

The Storm

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

The Shipwreck

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Paul Ashore on Malta

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

“‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

‘Someday’ Does NOT Exist

Had a most wonderful block party time at the street that includes our church, and all due to the spearhead, a man so wonderful and motivated for living, Earl, the self proclaimed Mayor of the avenue… Yeah… (And the food so good because it was made with love, the hamburger I had, yum, and the mac and cheese, yum, and the peanut butter and other cookies, yum…)

Earl is unique and a blessing for me to have met him (less than a month ago) and he and his wife and their son were fabulous to chat with, as were the other neighbors and our church members who came out. And in chatting with Earl I found the right and best headline for this blog as well as for life: ” ‘Someday’ doesn’t exist.”

Here is how the conversation went – and Earl at the same age as me (under 60) has fought and is fighting so many health battles that the Lord is keeping him in play for another day – in and out of the hospital but still here to serve God and God’s people and especially the avenue of neighbors – with love and motivation. So, the doctor asked Earl – ‘what is still on your bucket list?’ (knowing the time draws unknown) – “what is still on your bucket list?” – Earl honestly said “NOTHING” – I did it – I went to X, Y, Z… “I did”… And Earl said to others who said “Oh, I want to go to that place, ‘someday’…” – Yeah, well Earl said to the effect: “I look at the days – and well, there is a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. – ‘SOMEDAY’ does NOT exist…” I chuckled and agreed – thank you Earl…

‘Someday’ does NOT exist – go now – make the plan – be the one to decide to live – GO…

Someday – nope – today – tomorrow – make a plan – stick to the plan. Be fulfilled and fulfilling…

We know that God created the days – and after the creation of the world, he created a day called “TODAY”. (Hebrews 4:7) – and urged that we don’t harden our hearts towards God.

Thank you, Earl, for your wisdom beyond your (our) years…

So – the people enjoyed gathering with each other – were gracious to include us with the church – it was an all day affair – I left as the sun was about to set but the people still enjoyed sitting outside in the nice breeze – and the younger young folks went in to socialize too… Maybe my most important interaction that day was listening – not just to Earl – but to a most precious young girl who came with her wonderful parents. I loved sitting with her as she painted beautiful rocks and some drawings – and we talked about school – and she shared some tough things about school and I was able to relate – and support her – and MOST importantly I was able to tell her that GOD LOVED HER. I urged her to be brave – that it will get better – and that honestly, perhaps someone was watching her to see how she reacted to this toughness and that was inspiring them…

Let us continue to live = and be called to blessing = and yeah – be neighborly and loving – share our hopes and inspirations – LIVE in TODAY – and also LIVE in the hope that is Jesus’s gift of Everlasting Life…

Amen

—

1st Peter 3:8 – 22 NKJV

Called to Blessing

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For “He who would love life – And see good days, –Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Right and Wrong

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Christ’s Suffering and Ours

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

amen…

Surely, God is ALL We Need

I am eating a delicious avocado right now, ripened just long enough before it went bad – a miracle right? Because avocados are SO TEMPORARY in their goodness. Glad I caught it just right – and I am SO GRATEFUL that I got a good night sleep after an exhausting but fabulous trip to NYC – whew…

Thankfully – tiredness is helped by rest – avocados are helped by checking in on it everyday – but what about US??? Are we OK??? Well, God checks in on us – not occasionally – not only when we think of Him – God is surely with us always – and surely, God is all we need…

Let me say that again God is ALL we need… Amen and true and also hard to remember. But God is with us always…

Right now, it is sunny and the cool of the morning – perfect humidity level and a gentle breeze = God is here and God is all I need to remind me to do other things – and He does – like eat – like sleep – like write – God is always after me for writing – that is the state of my encourager job – and surely God is all I need. He reminds me of that – He even gave me the fingers to test the avacados and the knowledge to know when to eat them – and He gave us rest – and He gave us light – and He gave us the bountiful harvest season and He even gave us the tough times so that we look to HIM for guidance and support! God even sends the people we need!

Surely, God is all we need.

Jesus said (recorded in Matthew 28:16-20 about the Great Commission) that He would always be with us – and we know (especially on this Rosh Hashana day for the Jewish calendar celebrating when God made Adam and Eve) that God made us – and before us made everything and thought of us before that even – and then God will be with us until the end of the age.

I am going to trust God today – that worked for me yesterday and surely that will work for me tomorrow. God will help us today – God will help us tomorrow – Surely we can pray and ask Him for guidance.

Surely, God is ALL we need – and everything else will fall into order…

AMEN

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

It’s Quiet Uptown, Keep Living, (and eat the roses), 10-11SEP trip to NYC

I am now home from a last minute decision of taking a long-thought-out trip – I went to NYC for one night. So glad I went – so glad to be home… (long thought out is only like 2 weeks in my fast-paced thinking LOL)

I realized it would be a good chance to combine three things – go to a Yankees game – go see my friend (of course) – and go to Ground Zero… September 11th is 25 years ago, wow.

I felt God said it was OK to go ( I decided only that morning for sure) and so to go to Ground Zero for this anniversary was a good place for me – without going on the day of sept 11th but on the 10th – it WAS beautiful and meaningful… I sat under the tree there – and I felt yes, it was right and it was good for me to be there for my processing and praying – and remembering… I took a good moment – and my picnic lunch – to sit at the waterfalls at Ground Zero, especially resting under the big pear tree, which was removed from ground zero, rehabilitated, and placed back as a “survivor tree”. There was life teaming all around, between the people and the pigeons, and these cute squirrels, which attracted many people’s attention. Especially as one stole a flower right out of a memorial wreath, climbed up the tree and started eating it. Wow. A person was also feeling crackers to the very friendly squirrels. It was adorable and soothing, a reminder that LIFE continues… Love the pic I got. Life continues – stop and eat the roses. (And smell them)

Then I walked across the bottom of Manhattan to Pier 11 – and the info person was SO NICE – and helped me determine the shorter of the two ways to get to Pier 90 – where then I walked up to my friend’s place. Trust me that $4.50 for riding a ferry on the top deck was far superior than $3.50 underground on a subway for the same 50 minutes. And the views – wow – make sure to see my photos at the link below. The boat next to my ferry was “Seas the Day” – yes life continues – stop and smell the roses and compare them.

So I combined my game trip and 9-11 grounds trip with seeing my friend (fellow graduate from yikes almost 30 years ago) – and I really enjoyed seeing him – and we ate sweets and had lunch – and walked around – and talked and talked. Stop and smell and talk about the roses.

I had thought about this particular promo for the Yankees game sept 10th – get a Yankees jersey branded with my alma mater, I like it! (And as a kid I appreciated that I was from NY and assumed everyone was watching Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner fighting and just was a Yankees person… So thus I say Yankees is my favorite team even if the others have a much more fun and active stadium… I digress…)

My favorite interaction was a beautiful woman jogging by as I walked, saw my shirt and yelled out her class year! We had a fabulous conversation, really it IS a small world, and my ‘quest’ for connection was truly satiated. That was sufficient and fulfilling even before the game. Stop and smell and know to mention all about roses.

And was good to be close to the apartment after the game – it is quiet uptown and nice to stay over in convienence… People loved that the game was a winning game and I enjoyed chatting with some folks after moving from the 400 level cheap seats to the 300 level cooler seats to the 200 better view seats… 200 level was more rowdy and fun. The higher seats were still a good view but the people were more subdued. Stop and smell the roses but don’t be afraid to find other roses other places.

“It’s Quiet Uptown” – that is a line from Alexander Hamilton musical – but that is true – it is pretty quiet uptown and this morning (Sept 11th) we went to Alexander Hamiltion’s home of about 2 years before he died (and his wife’s Eliza’s home for nearly 30 years) – it is on the national park list – and the area is amazingly hilly and rocky – and they MOVED this house TWICE including lifting it over a church in 2008 WOW! the movie is amazing. *check it out on youtube* – and the house now has gardens full of roses… Stop and smell and ADMIRE the roses.

The reason for the song “It’s Quiet Uptown” – was that the Hamiltons were raising their many children (both adopted and born Hamiltons) in a big house after the oldest son was killed in a duel. It is a poignant part of the musical that states it is all about the processing – and it is also where one has to move on – and keep living… Stop and plant new roses – and remember those we have lost…

It takes a lot of processing – for them – for us – for us on Sept 11th – for life – for death – for life… Life is not always a rose garden…

It was also quiet uptown on this day – as it was the beginning of Rosh Hoshanna – the Jewish new year – celebrating God making Adam and Eve – and Adam and Eve suffered great tragedy – which reading an excerpt from the Jesus Always book struck me – Adam and Eve lost BOTH their sons that day Cain killed Abel – lost Abel to death and lost Cain to the event of killing his brother – lost… They eventually had another son – but wow… Stop and know that roses have thorns… since the beginning…

And we have to remember to live – just keep living – plant new roses – smell them – see them – know them…

It was quiet in the colleges and school areas uptown and we ate lunch with Hungarian desserts as a treat – yum… It is quiet uptown except BUSY at the bakery – and sweet to sit down as my legs whew were sore! I need to walk more! and not to the sweets store! (maybe I should be eating roses like those squirells)

Anyway a blessed day… and a blessed way to celebrate and know NYC… a rose of a city…

Remember September 11th

Amen

Song “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton musical.

His Place of His Grace – Live Where God has Placed You, Jeremiah 29:11

Whelp, I needed that – THE SCRIPTURE AND a Heaven-sent sermon to SEDIMENT MY SANITY… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the PLANS I have for you, declares the Lord, PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you – PLANS to give you a hope and a future”...

And this Jeremiah 29:11 scripture has chased me all year – in my time away from work work – I have it as a copy in my car and everywhere – surely Jer 29:11 has chased me and us our whole lives to say: Live where God has placed you. God was telling the Israelites exiled in Babylon to not neglect living – to be fruitful, build houses, families, and gardens – LIVE – LOVE – LAUGH – LINGER IN LIFE. And this is true for us in “exile” on earth away from Heaven – and “exile” from where we THINK we should be – and “exile” in not thinking about how God has given us the Place of His Grace – to live (really live daily) where God has placed us.

That morning (yesterday), God found me in a pretty strong momentary “down” – worrying again – when I could tell my heart via my head that I was fine – but for some reason my fear and devil of doubt crept in – and that was after a great “up” – of a fabulous job pre-interview – and a hopeful connection to have an onsite interview. Then I also had a great recruiter interview. And so the morning left me with what my friend said must have been the “hangover” of the elevated high of the possibilities of those meetings just to then sink down to reality and then mentally I took the unfortunate dip deeper into yikes for NO good reason – BUT ONLY FOR A MOMENT – BECAUSE GOD FOUND ME A PURPOSE VERY QUICKLY – and I sought the Lord and He was already there waiting for me to notice Him. And I proceeded on my day – went to the beach to meet friends and took my laptop with me. Was a meeting at a favorite spot for both of us, Ocean Grove, beautiful weather to by outside the whole day…

Yes – great day – and then at 2pm I had a wonderful phone screen with a consultant placer – and this sounds promising as part time work – and well, all things all at the same time is normal for God in my life – probably yours too… (and this phone screen was taken so peacefully in a church town too – such a classic great way to find my peace)…

And then as I settled down yesterday for the drive home from seeing those friends, the Lord found to highlight a whole sermon on Jeremiah 29:11 for me on my YouTube feed – wow – as I was scrolling church items, there it was, a five year ago sermon given during the beginning of Covid and to an audience out on a lawn… Jeremiah 29:11 and the surrounding scriptures chased and found me again – on being at peace with where He has placed us – LIVE WHERE GOD HAS PLACED YOU. (the link is at the bottom of this email).

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…”

And life is like that – ups and downs – not necessarily severe ones but when WE ‘think’ we know the way – and then run out onto that tightrope of life and then all of a sudden look down and get scared oops – well – we need to remember God IS our safety net – and He can bring us back to the sure way – and He can lead us FORWARD – to His Place of His Grace.

Well, good pep talk to myself, right? Well God found me where I was – Looking for HIM!

Thanks Lord!!!

Amen

….

: “What’s The Plan?”” Jeremiah 29:11, great sermon for me – also remembering covid times – Jeremiah says live where you are and don’t NOT live – but really LIVE…

—

Jeremiah 29 NKJV – Jeremiah’s Letter to the Captives

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

WHY, HOW, WHAT, LOVE

I’m a bit deeper reading into a leadership book “Drive” by Simon Sinek, it’s all about knowing the WHY, sharing the WHY. This leads to forming the HOW, resulting in the WHAT. Inspiration for action.

Why?

How?

What?

Yes, it’s a leadership book, one has to feel like one is going somewhere, making something, that one is on a mission, for work or for anything. People want to know there is a plan and what their part is in it. Others simply want a paycheck. Both situations usually mean working towards a goal. Leadership in companies must read the market too. It’s a complex business thing that requires people skills to make a business model move, stay relevant, be achievable, work.

It takes quite a bit of work to work. It takes leadership and/or self-motivation to pursue work.

Faith, how does faith impact the work we do for the Lord? And around others? Faith brings the works – works and working in faith means following the Leader’s calling and your own calling, faith inspires faith in others, works inspire works too.

If anything we should realize Who our Leader is and Why He leads us, it’s LOVE. We also realize that God works in a different way than us, higher yes, not just complex but other worldly heavenly, super naturally, miraculously, but also in simple ways, and in clear ways. We can follow His example in that the work given to us is because we are given to it, skilled for it. We are “to work at anything as if we are working for the Lord.” – because the Lord will give us an inheritance, not for a reward here on earth.

We can teach, feed, inspire, motivate, heal, befriend, and LOVE.

Why? Love

How? Love

What? Love

And LOVE and FAITH will help us fill in all the details too. The What, How, Why of making God known as our motivator, of making God’s Good News known, it all starts with LOVE. We love because He loved us first… We also should tell others that God loves them.

Keep loving! Love works. That’s the WHY.

Amen

Colossians 3: 22-24

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Sept 11th, 25 years into Heaven

Well, it’s still hard to process September 11th 2001, even 25 years later. There are many things hard to understand in life about tragedies, about evil, and about human processing.

Doing more cleaning and photo sorting from my family treasure trove time capsule of stuff, this pamphlet of the twin World Trade Center towers from the late 80s just hit me with so many sad emotions from that day, all these days after, and now. But on the pamphlet – oh the phrases double upset me, because the phraseology intending to be humorous and about the majestic height of the towers reaching to the sky, struck me as odd: “The closest some people will get to Heaven”… UGH… Ugh in the irony of that tragedy there. Ugh because how much it implies some people never getting to Heaven. Ugh, gulp, many DID get to Heaven then. Many still will. I pray for everyone.

Remember 9-11. Remember MORE that all of that Heaven “climbing” is NOT climbing at all, or activities from the people, BUT by JESUS RISING THEM… GOD DIDN’T LEAVE HEAVEN SALVATION TO CHANCE, BUT FOR THE WORK IN/BY/OF HIS SON… and I pray mercy and forgiveness for all, yes all. It makes God sad for anyone to perish who doesn’t know Him. I pray pray pray for all to know God in all the best ways…

Our repentance into His Righteousness.

I’m not sure my plans this week ahead of attending 9-11 memorialized events or group activities, these are times I prefer solitude, I draw closer to God in the solo way, but know that we are to support in a connecting way. I will plan to get to the local 9-11 memorial – that place is also where I realized, Feb 1st 2015, of myself being 100% with Jesus, born anew in awakening, born into Heavenly Hope, facing forward to my future, hands to the plow, not looking back.

Tears and tragedy are one more play on this pamphlet’s text language, because of 9-11 and the towers and all the tragedy, many did draw much closer to God. Many also questioned why this world is so broken. It’s only God who can heal the brokenness, pray for this… pray for peace…

I prayed on my awakening awareness day, “Lord God, I pray you took all those in mercy and love and grace into Heaven.” – 3000 plus – “and Lord, like Peter preached thousands into the faith at Pentecost, may I reach 3000 people in a HOPE to help them reach to You, know You as Lord and Savior.”

Ah, Heaven is then, Heaven is now, for many. September 11th, 25 years into Heaven, may we never forget… May we continue to pray…

In prayer,

Amen

Only God Knows the Future

I left my “Jesus Always” book open to Sep 6th on purpose so that I would reread this passage again after I read it this morning. So needed…

The paraphrasing from Psalm 18, written in Jesus Calling lingo by author Sarah Young, speaks to me: “I don’t want you to focus overly much on what is ahead of you, wondering whether you’ll be able to cope with it. Only I know what your future really holds. Moreover I am the only One who fully understands what you’re capable of. I can alter your circumstances gradually or dramatically. In fact, I can widen the path you are walking on right now. I want you to realize how intricately involved in your life I am. I delight in taking care of you – Tweaking the situation you are in…”

I have lots of things ahead of me. We have a lot, each of us. And yet, Jesus wants us to take it only one step at a time. And not OVERLY focusing, it means to prep what you need to do, but don’t obsess on it. It’s different than “a watch pot, never boils” – it’s the scriptural truth of: “God’s Ways are above our ways…” wait on God… take it one day at a time, one moment at a time…

And waiting (and working) for the Lord is sometimes hard and sometimes easy. It takes a lot of listening. And the best we can do IS our best, and let the Lord take care of the rest…

God is our shield, we should always take refuge in Him.

Amen

Anchoring to His Gift is Better than Our Drift, Psalm 39

I surely enjoyed my day, and yet was aching for quiet time with the Lord. It’s not that the Lord wasn’t there all day, because certainly He was, it’s just the mental quiet that brings pause and more peace. I wanted that – I want that more and more, being connected and tethered to Him.

The day itself was great, first time I’ve done tubing down the river, just about forty five minutes north of here and a great activity with my daughter and friends, at a good coupon for end of the season. The first person out though, floated away and was unable to get back, catch us as we connected our tubes together with a rope, but they were able to pause halfway, and we reconnected. Instead of peace, that person had a tinge of panic and sadness just because they wanted to be with us, regardless of the time in the car as together, the event activity was where they ached for connection. I’m glad we all caught up, but there was that disruption of the peace by the situation. And yeah, we did know that we would all connect back at the end, but life is a journey, isn’t it…

That’s probably how God feels about us, He cannot give us perfect peace unless we are connected to Him. He can try to give it to us. His peace is Himself. Jesus is our Prince of Peace. But if we’re not receiving, then we are drifting… in our sinful ways we drift… in our arrogance we drift… in our distracted nature we drift… Let us not know God as a stranger, but a Father, and our peace

And in a drift, our life is just a vapor as David would sing in psalm 38, our drifted life gone with the rapid current of time. Best we anchor first, always, forever to Him.

So before we take up on our day and our activities, we should make sure we have our connection to Him in sight, in faith, in hope, in love.

God is already our anchor so let us not drift. God has people for us to be with, love to know, peace to share, hills to climb in challenges, and meadows and rivers to glide in. God knows both how to give us peace piecemeal, as well as catch us at the end…

And honestly, as much as I enjoyed my time together with everyone on our innertubes, I would also like to do that trip a second time as personal time, tubing by myself sometime, and just thank God and talk to God, realizing not a drift but a Gift…

Realizing a Gift. And holding onto Him.

Amen

—

Psalm 39:3-13 NKJV

David looking for wisdom from God:

My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

“Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish. I was mute, I did not open my mouth, Because it was You who did it. Remove Your plague from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand. When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor. Selah

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more.”

No more drifting…

Everything and Why Not?!

I am home from a great week away at home north plus traveling, and you could imagine that life in my subaru is a lifestyle of variety. And I’m so tired it’s hard to get out of the car, but did for some food, then home. So in the morning, I’m looking forward to that refreshed feeling of sleep.

The scriptures that stuck with me on this trip, and in life, are the three on my bracelets: “I can do everything through Christ (who strengthens me)”, Philippians 4:13; “Everything is possible for one who believes”, Mark 9:23; and “Trust in the Lord, with all your heart”, Proverbs 3:5-6.

Sometimes we’re just too tired, but we need to remember the Lord still has us, and He has kept us together!

I can say once again, how grateful I am to the Lord for my adventures, especially these last few months. I have many irons in the fire for activity and that’s not unusual. Variety is the spice of life, but the main dish is always the Lord’s solid sustanance.

I have to say looking at my aunt’s patch quilt, ( I have many aunts, sorry it’s confusing) on my cousin’s guest bed traveling, that the variety in our lives lived is like that, a variety, a patchwork visual to us but firmly placed on foundation by God. He holds the threads and it all works. Our variety is like saying God has everything planned for us, not necessarily that we are robots, but that we are cogs in something turning, as Joni Mitchell would sing. We are blessed to step in life moment by moment, depending upon Him.

And so for today’s variety, and tomorrow’s variety, and EVERYTHING God does, KEEP DOING EVERYTHING, because Why Not?! Let us TRUST and be STRENGTHENED by Him! With God EVERYTHING is possible.

Amen

—

Bloom Where You Are Planted, Ecclesiastes We

The cousins world tour continued – this time with my mom – great travelling companion. Saw 6 cousins from my dad’s side in 2 homes – great opportunity to travel and we seemed to miss the worst of the weather in our travelling ahead of the rain…

We started yesterday morning, travelled a little south then diagonal up almost to the state border – had great dinner – then stayed over and today travelled home via a route across part of the state – stopping to see 2 more cousins in one other town.

And wow the flowers of the season – and the crops to harvest – the tomatoes are better up here this year – ours not so much… The mums are getting close to being in bloom – and the farmers use a drip irrigation system – they bring the water to the plants… Every season is different and we are different in different places – and yet we are to bloom wherever we are – to bear fruit – to be counting blessings – and even to store up strength as we store up harvest fruits to tap into when the weather (and life) is colder… (WOW my cousin’s canned goodies are fabulous)… And the weather was a warm cool – not too hot and not too cold – nice…

We are to listen to God and bloom where we are planted but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up your roots or stretch your stems and slide them around place to place – even sunflowers track the sun… Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes…

Solomon would be a bit philosophical: “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness,…” Eccl. 2:24-26

More philosophy – Ecclesiastes We!

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Eccl 5:18-20

And an advantage in knowledge and in fear of God:

“… But the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise – why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool – why die before your time?
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.” Eccl. 7:12b-18

So, let us enjoy this life one day at a time – and bloom in season and harvest in season – and just smile at God’s treasures shared…

Harvest in Health – Depend in Downtimes – Share in Suredness – Hope in However Life is… Be a witness to God’s abundant life – and bloom where you are planted (in His Arms Forever)…

AMEN

Thankfulness is Always in Season

I woke up with processing (that I was processing deepness in my dreams) and WELL, I am glad that dreams are just dreams – not real life – whew… I appreciate that God takes care of much of that processing stuff for us – really we have not enough time in life to see or fix or process even – we have a finite mind when God is infinite and allows us everything possible to understand in our hearts but not all the time in the world to do so – while in this world… Imagine the crash course (or forever college) on life when we get to heaven – well imagine that we can’t imagine it all…. yeah… amazing… He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

In terms of life – the scripture that crossed my mind this morning is a classic – Ecclesiastes 3 – there is a season for everything under the sun (and of course sing the version by the Byrds “Turn Turn Turn”)… And my subaru’s leaves on it – plus the sound of these late summer crickets and cicadeas – well the seasons are changing… Hold onto these summer temps if you can just a bit more…

Now we can read into the scriptures in an attitude of “geez…” or an attitude of “wow” or an attitude of “yikes” – so many ways to take it – and Solomon certainly was thinking of his take on life too – like perhaps in a “throw up your hands and I am done” kind of way…

I am taking life in thankfulness these days – and trepidation – and fear into faith – and well knowing this season will “turn turn turn”… God never changes but our seasons turn turn turn…

I came across some old (hey but not too old) photos of myself at age 3 – stored well in photo books – up home north – I was a cutie for sure – and thought it was hillarious this one photo – a face of disqust – funny now – I wonder what I was thinking at age 3 – my face twisted in a frowny smirk – perhaps I was cold… But with activity of rolling a snowman in another photo, I was certainly still working on activity even in the cold, and another photo of us with grandpa pretending to play checkers (yeah and later on in years we played LOTS of games of checkers). These photos are preserved well and perhaps I will take more photos of the photos – because much color of the early 70’s is fading badly because of the early experiences of color photo processing those days. Black and white photos of the era before are more preserved (of which we have lots of those too)… Seasons to remember are seasons we were too young to know – how interesting that our minds don’t remember until later on – my earliest memory was years later than this. But the photo tells me that this was a good season of my life. I am thankful for my childhood and my family. I am glad that God was there in that season.

The other photos I perused recently – from college days – are fun – 39 years ago crazy – me and grandpa again – and college freshman days – taken with my camera this time – but these photos had another problem – they were kept in a basement (I think) – they stink – physically ewww – and well I took photos of the photos and trashed them now, ewww… Seasons to remember but not go back. I am thankful that I have grown since then. I am grateful at the years that went by – and still go by. I am glad that God was there in that season.

And the photos of travelling as I left for this trip – well the new photos *** yet to be taken *** – they WILL tell the times of late summer and leaves starting to turn – on the cusp of fall and oh the colors – but also that oh the cold is coming… And the people in our lives – the Seasons of Love (cue the ‘Rent’ on Broadway song) – we best make it the best season with the people each day – because those days will change again… I am glad that God will be there in that season.

Seasons… I am thankful that God will be there for us with us – for me with me – in the next season (and now). I am thankful for God has us here for a reason – no matter if there is strife or joy or smirking faces in the cold – there is a reason for this season – and it is always to be thankful to God. God is in charge.

THANKFULNESS IS ALWAYS IN SEASON.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

AMEN and thank You Lord for today. THANK YOU FOR ALWAY BEING THERE AND HERE AND THERE.

—
Ecclesiastes3 KJV

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

A SEASON OF CUTENESS

Let the Water and Advice Roll, Proverbs 22

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

The thunderstorms are rolling through, up here at home north, and they roll in sound here with steep hills. I am not worrying about it, the rain, as this house is solid and even the newer roof dampens the sound. The porch however, which I can step out on now after thunder stopped, brings me back to childhood growing up 40-50 years ago. And my dad’s advice, repeated from his father still rings true: “live on a hill”… True, let the water roll down…

I’m on the porch now, just rain no thunder and I think that’s great advice for the rain runs down (good for the valley which was already a floodplain) and good advice for living with volumes of information and advice and criticisms and “what not” bombarding: let it roll down the hill away from you.

In other words don’t absorb every criticism, don’t let neuroses become psychosis, “don’t sweat the small stuff”, “guard your heart”, stand on solid ground, hold onto the Rock.

Proverbs are great advice for the ages, and thousands of years old they still ring true – great sayings to give pause. Solomon wrote many in his wisdom.

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

Yesterday while driving, I passed by that church with such witty sayings, it called out: “God tests us, but it’s open book.”… so good…

This rain pours out from the sky, surely God’s advice is classic and available and open book.

Proverbs for Pondering… well worth the read! Let the water and advice roll…

Amen

—

Proverbs 22 NKJV

The Value of a Good Name

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?

Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.

Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Debbie Upper

A Child of God Awakening to His Love

Month: September 2026

Keep What Keeps You – Don’t Quit God – Psalm 9

It’s the People! It’s the People!

Proverbs 2 NKJV

The Value of Wisdom

Sermon share: The Reverent Fear of the Lord is the Start of Wisdom, Proverbs 1-2

CONTINUE KNOWING WISDOM… Proverbs 1 and 2

I Lift Up My Eyes, Psalm 121

LIGHT OVERCOMES the darkness

Howdeeeee Lord!!!!! Psalm 118

Shake It Off and Keep Going, Acts 27-28 NKJV

‘Someday’ Does NOT Exist

Surely, God is ALL We Need

It’s Quiet Uptown, Keep Living, (and eat the roses), 10-11SEP trip to NYC

His Place of His Grace – Live Where God has Placed You, Jeremiah 29:11

WHY, HOW, WHAT, LOVE

Sept 11th, 25 years into Heaven

Only God Knows the Future

Anchoring to His Gift is Better than Our Drift, Psalm 39

Everything and Why Not?!

Bloom Where You Are Planted, Ecclesiastes We

Thankfulness is Always in Season

Let the Water and Advice Roll, Proverbs 22

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Proverbs 2 NKJV

The Value of Wisdom

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