As I shared on Wednesday's post, we have recently experienced a death in Gary's family.  I had asked previously for prayer for Gary as he had been asked to deliver the eulogy at the service for his aunt.  I must report that God was so good and Gary's time of sharing was moving and much appreciated.  In times such as these it is therapeutic to share with others our memories of stories, laughter and tears surrounding the one who has entered eternity.  But the question arises, where will each one of us spend eternal life when it is time for breath to leave these earthly bodies? 

It is a question which needs an immediate answer for our lives on earth are like a vapor, scripture says, that appears for a while and then is gone.
 
May God bless, my friends.

We are attendimg the funeral services for Gary's Aunt Eleanor today (Wednesday).  As we were driving to the Brookville, OH, area on Tuesday for the viewing, we decided to play some of our favorite Christian music.  As "I Can Only Imagine" started to play, it brought comfort and hope to our hearts.  We can't possibly foretell our emotions entering the gates of heaven; however, the lyrics of this song remind us of how unimaginable it will be when we see Jesus face-to-face!  God bless, my friends...

The following entry on my blog today was written by a friend of mine, Lauri-ann Cardinali.  Lauri has a lovely way of expressing herself and when I read this post on Facebook today, I pleaded for permission to share these thoughts with my faithful readers.  I'm sure you will enjoy the message conveyed.

And a longer thought than my usual today.......One line from "Iron Lady" stayed with me.  Margaret Thatcher as a very determined young woman said "I don't want to die washing a teacup."  That set her on a course. Clearly she was pre-ordained for greatness and she had the strength and fortitude to achieve her dreams.  But even as I chuckled aloud at that line, I realized that in my relatively low-impact life I feel quite comfortable saying the opposite, "I would like to die washing a teacup."  Because in that very act I would be lost in treasured moments of my life. I would think of the peaceful respites I've had at the end of a busy day when I sank into my chair next to the fireplace with my teacup in my right hand and a good book on my lap. I would imagine the teacup on the windowsill where I watched the birds flit about the feeder, allowing me a therapeutic moment. 

In washing the teacup I might be reminded of prayerful times when the tea took me to where I needed to be.  I would think of the teacup calling me when I came in from a long, cold walk, vision obscured by steamed spectacles. I would remember that each time I visited my mom I put a teabag in my purse.  If washing a teacup brought a memory of the clink and clatter of teacups and spoons, I would recall the many hours of having tea with friends - those comfortable times when I could tuck my feet  under and not measure words.  And above all I would remember my sisters' voices saying, "Would you like a cup of tea?"  And in saying "yes,"I said yes to more than tea. I said yes to a special time and a bond that can never be broken.  And so, with all due respect to Margaret Thatcher, I am quite fine with dying while washing a teacup!

This is a picture of our church here in Pittsburgh; Peters Creek Baptist.  What a great day of worship we enjoyed this Sunday!  The music was awesome, the preaching unmatched, the Sunday School lesson on washing feet was thought provoking and the fellowship.....so therapeutic.

Gary and I then took a ride around the area in our continuous search for land and we finally ended up at home and had lunch with our son!  What a wonderful day!  Of course, that was all at the conclusion of a week of being with our daughter's family.....life is good.

But I request your prayers this week as we attend the services for Gary's Aunt Eleanor.  She passed away after a long illness and we pray for comfort and peace for family and friends on her homegoing.  It's difficult to lose your Aunts.  They each contribute so much to your life and your growing up.  Whether it be a famous homemade coconut cake like my aunt used to bake or a yard with a swimming pool that was always open to us like Gary's aunt, each family member is part of who we are and the memories we hold dear. 

God bless all those who have gone before us.  May God grant that our mourning be transformed into joy as Christians hold the faith that one day all will be united in heaven where there will be no more parting, sadness, illness or goodbyes.  Blessings, my friends!

Yes, I have taken countless pictures of Lucy this week.  Yes, I'm a first time grandparent; however, I pray that God will continue teaching me through this little miracle about my spiritual life. 

As I looked at this snapshot I reflected on how I want to rest peacefully in the Lord each day.  Lucy has so many individuals around her to look after her and provide for her every need.  She doesn't have to do anything but cry to indicate that she's hungry.  We have anticipated her every move and desire at this point in her little life.  As she grows older, we will expect Lucy to be able to communicate and share with us her thoughts, needs and feelings, but for now she is totally dependent on her Mommy and Daddy.

Oh, that it would be that simple for us as adult children of a loving God.  To realize that He has anticipated all our needs and is ready to direct us, feed us, provide for us and protect us from all harm that would rob us of an eternal existence with Him.  We, too, can rest in His arms and have a peaceful sleep knowing that all our needs are taken care of.  All we need to do is surrender our hearts and lives into His care at the foot of the cross.  Yes, Lucy, I want to sleep securely just like you and I pray that you will one day give your heart and life to Jesus.  Praise His name for sending you to show us more about the Master.  God bless, my friends!

Outside my daughter's home is a beautiful winter scene.  There is snow in her front yard complete with a couple of bare trees whose branches display a touch of snow.  It is absolutely a picture perfect winter day.  As I ponder this scene, I begin to compare those bare branches with my life when I first became a Christian.  There wasn't a lot to see, but that touch of snow representing the Holy Spirit knocking at the door of my heart.  Once I let Him in and the work of redemption began evidence radiated demonstrating a life being lived for Jesus.  This resulted in branches becoming full of seed bearing fruit.  Hopefully that fruit will continue to multiply as the redeemed life shines for the Lord resulting in good deeds and actions passed on to others.

I desire to become a strong tree, rooted in the knowledge and wisdom of God, being fed by the rivers of living water to sustain me throughout this earthly existence.  I pray changed lives will continue to be evident as the seasons of life come and go.  

May God use the times when we feel our lives are not bearing fruit as periods of resting in the Lord as we wait patiently for God to use us in His service once again. Even strong trees need to be hydrated and nourished by the streams of Living Water. 

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and who leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."  Psalms 1:1-3 

Today I'm in the Cleveland area with my daughter's family.  As I sit on the sofa and look at the sliding glass doors, it's snowing.  In fact, it's a beautiful, quiet snowfall.  I don't even hear a sound...it's truly one of those times when you could curl up with a blanket and read, blog, knit, crochet....whatever pleases you.

As I thought about what to write on today's entry, I was reminded of the anniversary trip Gary and I took last March to Disney World.  We were in Florida for the winter and decided to take a few days and visit Epcot.  I was thoroughly happy we did since there was the annual flower show and the establishment was booming and blooming with flowers, manicured scrubs and butterfly houses!

Since most people think and dream of being in places other than where they are currently, I began to compare where I am this year with where I was last winter.  Although I do love the warm temperatures and constant sunshine of Florida, I must admit I am enjoying curling up with blankets and being halted from constant multi-tasking.  Of course, I do have inside projects that are making their way to the frontal lobes of my brain, but it's fun to switch it up this year.  I truly believe that Spring is going to be greener, brighter and more lovely because I am experiencing this cold, snowy winter.  But the earth needs to slow down and take a break just like me.  So for today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to simply sit and watch the snow fall and after I finish blogging, I'm going to start working on my crochet project and maybe look at a few scrapbooking pages.  It's good to be alive and enjoying today as God gets the earth ready for tomorrow!  God bless, my friends!  

Warren Wiesbe, one of my favorite Christian authors, comments that God "knows everything, is everywhere and can do anything.  God's decrees will succeed.  Puny, foolish men with their godless living will not eradicate or hinder His decrees."  The older I get the more I realize the wisdom within this statement.  The Bible quotes in Colossian 2:8, "See to it that you no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depend on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." So how do we keep ourselves in line with the truth of the scripture?  How do we keep our minds from being enticed with current trends of thought that are outside the guidelines as given by a Holy God?  

Jeremiah 15:19a reads, "Therefore this is what the Lord says:  If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me."  And in verse 21, "I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel." Add to that instruction the verse found in II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 

We desperately need healing as individuals from our sinful lifestyles and as a country with our determined permissiveness outside of God's direction.  We desperately need forgiveness.  We desperately need our Savior to hold us in the palm of His mighty, powerful Hands and save us from outselves....our sinful, human self.  God bless, my friends! 

Okay, so I'm probably going overboard with Lucy stories, but Gary and I traveled back to the Cleveland area to visit with our new granddaughter on Tuesday afternoon.  Lucy's Daddy has gone back to work and Mommy needs an extra set of hands, so Gramma gets to fill the bill!

This is a new role in life for Gary and me and one we have undertaken with smiles and gladness in our hearts!  I read today in my devotions, "Come and see the works of the Lord" from Psalm 46 and looking into little Lucy's face, I am truly seeing the wonderful, mighty and awesome works of the Lord.  This child is truly the handiwork of the Master Creator, my Savior, my Lord, my God! 

God bless, my friends!