12 Days at Bleakly Manor. A Book Review.

Several weeks ago I was indulging in one of my favorite pastimes, browsing through bookstores, when I came across this little book:

I loved the look of it. I loved that it had "Dickens" in the title. I was intrigued, so I bought the book, and settled into one of the cozy chairs with my cup of coffee in hand and begin reading. I was not disappointed!

12 Days at Bleakly Manor would make Agatha Christie proud. There is a love story, some humor, and a mystery to be solved. The characters are interesting, if a bit quirky, with names like Mr. Pocket, Madmoiselle Pretents, and Mr. Tallgrass. It almost sounds like the board game Clue, doesn't it?

The main characters are Clara Chapman and Benjamin Lane. Each of them, along with the other characters, has received an intriguing invitation to spend the 12 days of Christmas 1850 in an English manor house, with the promise of a reward if they stay the entire 12 days. Although none of the other characters has previously met, Clara and Benjamin were once engaged to be married, which complicates things a bit.

I had not previously read any of Michelle Griep's books, but I'm very glad I came across this one. If you're a fan of holiday tales, of the Victorian era, of English manor houses, or of mysteries, then I invite you to get a cup of tea or coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and enjoy this one. I think you'll be glad you did!

12 Days of Christmas at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep is book one in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, and is available in paperback or for Kindle.



Christmas Future

Christmas Day 2017 is now a memory. Of course, at least for most of us, it's still with us because there's the clean-up to do. But the celebrating is done and we're moving on to the next thing.

I confess that I've already given a little thought to Christmas 2018. That's because, if we stay on the same schedule that has worked for us for all these years, next year our family will all be together for Christmas. I'm looking forward to that!

And I'm looking forward to all the Christmases to come. I love the Christmas season!

But I'm also looking forward to the day when we are no longer celebrating the birth of Jesus. To the day when we are in His presence, celebrating HIM forever!

What a day that will be!

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (Revelation 5:12-13 ESV)

Christmas Present. Thankful.

Yesterday I wrote about Christmases past. It was my intent to write today about Christmas Present.  To write about how we're celebrating this year. Less decorations, less food, less of everything....probably not unlike other empty-nesters whose families are elsewhere this Christmas.


Instead, I'm writing today about something different. About Christmas Present in a different sense of the word. Christmas Present for us this year will be a quiet celebration. But quiet celebrations can be good times for pondering. The Scripture tells us that Mary "pondered these things in her heart."


This Christmas, I'm pondering all the reasons I love Christmas. All the reasons I have for being thankful. Certainly that includes the fact that my health is greatly improved since last hear at this time. I'm thankful for all the family and friends who are part of my life. Having lived in as many places as we have, we have friends near and far, all of whom have had an impact on my life. At Christmastime, particularly, I think about them, and I am so thankful for the gift of all these presents in my life.


This morning, as I'm pondering, I'm thanking God for the gift of Christmas. For the music of Christmas. For this season when we focus on giving gifts to those we love and sharing with those we don't know who have need. For the reason we celebrate this season.

I'm thankful for Jesus. Thankful that "though He was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself in becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

I'm thankful for Christmas. Thankful for THE Christmas Present! Because without Christmas, we would have no reason to celebrate Easter!

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."  (Galatians 4:4-5 NASB)


"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  (John 1:14, 16-17 ESV)

Remembering Christmases Past

Christmas is such a nostalgic time, isn't it?

Every year as the season rolls around, I find myself traveling down memory lane, remembering Christmases past and the people that shared them.

It starts as I get decorations and ornaments out of their storage spaces. Remembering where I bought this ornament or who gave me that one. Remembering my mother as I get out the snowmen she made or as I hang the door decoration she quilted. Remembering travels and the ornaments purchased on those trips.  Remembering.

Throughout the season, more memories flood my thinking. At Christmas I often feel particularly nostalgic about my trips to Israel. A few years ago, for three out of four Christmas seasons, some part of my holiday - either just before Christmas or shortly after Christmas Day - was spent in the Holy Land. One year, in fact, we spent New Year's Eve in Bethlehem!

 

 

As I have hung ornaments we purchased in Israel, as I have placed the olive wood nativity set we purchased in Bethlehem carefully in its place, and as my eyes are drawn to other things we purchased while we were there, my heart and mind have traveled back again and again. Such a flood of memories!

 

This morning I read Matthew's account of Mary and Joseph traveling with Baby Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod. And as I read I could vividly recall our first trip to the Holy Land, before the Arab Spring, which included several days in Egypt. We visited one of the places where it is believed that Mary and Joseph and Jesus lived while they were there. 

 

 

As my Advent readings have taken me through the Scriptures, through the prophecies and through the gospel accounts, my memories have taken me to Bethlehem, to the place of Christ's birth.

 

 

And to a field outside Bethlehem where shepherds first heard the news, announced by the angels,  

of the birth of the Savior.

 

 

During those visits to Israel, we walked where Jesus walked. We went to Nazareth and to Galilee.

And to Jerusalem. There we followed His footsteps from Gethsemane to Calvary. And we stood on the Mount of Olives, the place where one day He will return to earth.

 

 

 

Christmas makes me nostalgic. It has me looking back. But it also causes me to look forward, to that Christmas yet future when Christ will return to earth. No longer a Baby in a manger, but King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  



"On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east."  (Zechariah 14:4 ESV)

 

Thinking about Israel makes me nostalgic. Christmas music has that effect as well. There are some songs that evoke strong memories of Christmases past. Of the people and places that I associate with them. Of the times I sang them or heard them sung.

 

O Holy Night is one of those kinds of songs. I love how it covers all the parts of the Christmas story.  The night of Christ's birth. The angels. The star. The wise men. The manger. And the reason for His coming. He knows our need. To our weakness He is no stranger. In all our trials born to be our Friend. He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His gospel is peace. In His name all oppression shall cease. 

 

Particularly in this Christmas season, this season of violence and discord and tension and murder and terrorism and persecution, we need that message more than ever.

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end."  (Isaiah 9:6-7a ESV)

 

 

Hear David Phelps sing O Holy Night here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElJ0fiD0lkc

The Greatest Christmas Miracle

I am a Christmas miracle!


At this time last hear, I was beginning outpatient therapy following a hemorrhagic stroke. While I was in the hospital, the doctors had told my husband that I might not wake up. That if I did wake up, I have severe limitations as a result of the stroke. I might not be able to talk normally. I probably would, at the very least, need to use a cane. More likely, I would need a walker or a wheelchair. The prognosis for my full recovery was very bleak.


When I was taken from the hospital to Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute, I was taken in an ambulance. Three weeks later, I walked out the door, with help from my walker. Today, I need no assistance to walk.


While I still have a few issues related to speech and memory, the doctors got it completely wrong! I sometimes mix words up and I have trouble remembering things, but my recovery is nothing short of miraculous!


I have often been told that I have done well because I worked really hard (I did!) and because I am a really strong woman. While that may be true, that is not why I am a Christmas miracle. This is all because of God and His amazing grace! This is a miracle of God's doing!


Why me and why not others? I don't know. I have no answer for that, except to say that God has a plan and a purpose for all things. Just as He had a plan and a purpose for the miracle in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago.


The greatest Christmas miracle took place in a stable in Bethlehem. The miracle had been set in place in eternity past, when God had a plan for the redemption of all mankind. Thousands of years before Christ came to earth, the prophets foretold His coming. And in the little town of Bethlehem, Christ was born, just as the prophets had said He would be.


That baby in a manger grew to be a man. Having lived a sinless life, He died on a cruel Roman cross to pay the sin debt for all mankind, just as the prophets had foretold. Just as God had planned. He was resurrected from the grave, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, until the time comes when He shall return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Just as the prophets have foretold. Just as God planned in eternity past.


That is the greatest of all Christmas miracles! God Himself has sent Jesus to make a way for us to be in right relationship with Himself. God and sinners reconciled.


That is the Greatest Christmas Miracle!

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the Newborn King!"

words: Charles Wesley; music: Felix Mendelsson

Listen to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" here: https://youtu.be/SFjMPaOBzXc



Continually

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."  (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)




Continually. Continually offer a sacrifice of praise.

Continually. What does that mean anyway?

Dictionary.com gives this definition: very often, at regular or frequent intervals; habitually; without cessation or intermission; unceasingly; always.

Continually. Always. Unceasingly. Habitually. Without intermission.

Even when there's too much month at the end of the money. Even when the roof leaks and the plumbing backs up and the dishwasher quits......


Even when there's devastating illness. Or job loss. Or bereavement.

Even when you don't feel like it.


Even when there's so much to do that you think you can't possibly get it all done. When there's cookie baking and shopping and decorating and Christmas events to attend and gifts to wrap.

Even then.

Continually.

We only have two weeks until Christmas Day. Perhaps this is a good time to reexamine our Christmas traditions and exactly how we are celebrating the birth of Christ. In our celebrating are we continually offering our praises? Are we really celebrating Christ? Or are we only giving lip service to Him while we get caught up in elves or Santa or all our other traditions.?

When we stop and really consider what we're doing this Christmas, what is it that we are continually focusing our attention on? 

Is our focus directed toward the "name that is above every name?" (Philippians 2:8)?  Or have we lost sight of the "reason for the season"?

My prayer is that we might all focus our celebration on that Wonderful Name.....Jesus! That we might truly - and continually - celebrate the Christ of Christmas. And not only in December!

Wonderful Name

Mary was the first to hear it, name that came from heaven above;
Name that raises souls from darkness, this the only name worth singing of.

Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!
Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!

Heaven touched His name with glory, precious name of Jesus, our King;
In God’s Word is told the story, of this wondrous name the angels sing!

 

Wonderful name, Jesus! Wonderful name, Jesus!

Name angels sang the night all heaven rang; wonderful name, Jesus!

-Roger Strader

Not That Far

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger."  (Luke 2:4-7 ESV)

 If your church has an Advent wreath, or if you have one in your home, perhaps this was the week you lit the Bethlehem candle. Bethlehem figures prominently in our celebrations of Christmas as the birthplace of the Christ Child. We read the prophecies. We sing about the "little town of Bethlehem."  We picture a sleepy little village in the Judean Hills, which it likely was in those days. Modern day Bethlehem is something altogether different, with traffic and crowds and tall buildings. Not exactly what we picture when we sing our carols.

It was seven years ago this month that I first traveled to Bethlehem. That I first visited the Church of the Nativity. That I first saw this very special place:

 

 

Inside the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in Christendom (built about 326 AD), this silver star marks the traditional birthplace of Jesus. It is inscribed, in Latin, "Here of the Virgin Mary, Christ was born."

That may or may not be the exact spot where Christ was born. But Christ was born. In Bethlehem. Just as it had been foretold by the prophets long before.
 

Bethlehem seems very far away to most of us. If you've traveled there, as I have, you realize that it is quite a long distance to travel. Our journey to Bethlehem does not involve travel by donkey, as it did for Mary and Joseph. But even with modern jet planes, it's a long trip, flying from the U.S. into Tel Aviv, and then traveling by car or bus on to Bethlehem. 

It's a long trip. Or is it?

Several years ago, the singing group Point of Grace recorded a song titled We're Not That Far From Bethlehem. One of my favorite lines in that song says When our hearts still cherish Him, we're not that far from Bethlehem.

As I have been thinking about that song, and about that particular line, I've been remembering the times I traveled to Bethlehem. The times I knelt at this place of Jesus' birth. The times I worshipped there. The times we sang the songs of the Savior's birth. The times I sat in awe and wonder, reflecting on what happened in Bethlehem so long ago.

 

There are times when that seems very long ago. And times when Bethlehem seems very far away.

 

But it isn't. Not really. 

 

That song, We're Not That Far From Bethlehem, offers us a profound truth. When we cherish the Savior in our hearts, when we remember His birth, when we remember why He was born when and where He was......when we remember. And when we cherish. 

 

Then we're never very far from Bethlehem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath the stars

Just a simple man and wife.

Somewhere in the dark

His words cut the silent night.

Take my hand, for the child

That you carry is God's own.

 

And though it seems the road is long,

We're not that far from Bethlehem,

Where all our hope and joy began.

For in our arms, we'll cherish Him.

We're not that far, from Bethlehem.

 

Let us celebrate

As the Christmases go by;

Learn to live our days

With our hearts near to the child.

Ever drawn, ever close

To the only love that lasts,

And though 2000 years have passed

 

We're not that far from Bethlehem

Where all our hope and joy began.

For when our hearts still cherish Him

We're not that far,

 

We're not that far from Bethlehem

Where all our hope and joy began.

For when our hearts still cherish Him,

We're not that far

We're not that far from Bethlehem.

 

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You can listen to We're Not That Far From Bethlehem here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfI2x2krjGA

Thankful for Facebook Memories

If you are on Facebook, you are familiar with the daily Facebook memories that show up each day on your home page. For me, these have been opportunities to see pictures of my grandchildren from a few years past, or to be reminded of places we have traveled, and occasionally get a good chuckle over something I or some friend had shared.


Over the last week, these Facebook memories have become something altogether different for me. They have connected me to this time last year, to a time I have no memory of. Every day this week, Facebook has connected me to friends and family, and even to strangers, who prayed for me during the days and weeks following my stroke. I had no idea what was going on, but as Facebook has brought these things to my understanding, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving.


Here in our family, we often refer to this as the time I was "away". Since I "returned", I had often been told that there had been a lot of people praying for me. Until these Facebook memories started showing up, I had no idea just how many people had prayed for me. Friends I hadn't seen in years. Family members. Church friends. People I don't even know. I am overwhelmed and humbled by this outpouring of prayer on my behalf.


While I was in Rehab last year, I received a number of cards. From friends, from family, from church members, from people I don't even know. I saved every one.



Al read these to me as they came in each day, because I couldn't read them myself. Several times over the course of the last year, I have reread these notes. The reading has been a little easier each time! And it is my plan, during this season of Thanksgiving, to read them again.

Just as with the Facebook memories, each of these notes is overwhelming and humbling. Each is a reminder of just how much I have to be thankful for this year.

Along with the cards and notes, I also received a number of other notes.



I have no idea who sent these love notes from God. Like the other cards and notes, I didn't really understand them at the time. But, like the other cards and notes, I have reread them several times during this last year and been blessed and encouraged.

Sometimes during this year of stroke recovery, it has been easier to focus on what is wrong than on what is right. To focus on what I can't do rather than on what I can do. These Facebook memories remind me of how far I have come. Of how much I have to be thankful for. They help me remember the things I don't remember.

What happened to me last November could have had a very different outcome.

These Facebook memories are a reminder of that.

And these Facebook memories are a reminder that with God, nothing is impossible.

Today, in this season of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the miracle God brought about in my life. I'm thankful for friends and family and strangers who prayed me through that experience. And I'm thankful for Facebook memories!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2 NASB)



Are You Ready?

It's Thanksgiving week. And in just a few short days, we will be in full Christmas mode. The holiday season is upon us!


Are you ready? That's a loaded question, isn't it? This week it means having lists made, grocery shopping done, baking begun, all in preparation for the biggest eating day of the year. After that, "are you ready" will focus us on cookie baking, decorating, gift wrap, and all the business that becomes part of our Christmas celebrations.


In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, are you ready to focus on the reason for the season. Are you ready to celebrate the gift of Christmas and the Gift of Christmas?


That was the reason I wrote "Are You Ready for Christmas" last year. If you or someone you know may not be ready for Christmas, the book is still available on Amazon.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous Christmas season!

Didn't See That Coming. One Year Later.

One year ago today I had a stroke. One year ago, life was normal. And then it wasn't.


This last year been quite a journey.


There was the time in the neuro-ICU, which I have no memory of.

There was thanksgiving dinner at Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute, another thing I don't remember.

But things began to improve. My first clear memory came a few days after Thanksgiving. On that morning, I had a clear memory of a passage of scripture which I shared with Al and Brandon when they arrived that morning. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."


At that time, I couldn't speak clearly. I couldn't read. I couldn't write. I couldn't always understand what was being said to me. Even so, God brought this verse very clearly to my mind. It got me through those days in rehab, and through all the days since.


From that morning forward, I made steady progress.


Eventually, I traded my eye patch for a new pair of glasses.

I was able to teach Sunday School again, something I had never thought I would do again.

We even went on a cruise!

This has been quite a year! A year of challenges. A year of ups and downs. A year of frustrations and discouragements. A year of great joy.

This has been quite a learning experience.

Learning to talk again.

Learning to read and write again.

Learning that even on that days when I struggle with those things, and I still sometimes do, God is still good.

This has been a year of learning to trust.

A year of learning to deal with my limitations.

Of knowing that even though I have limitations, God is still God.

God is still in control.

God has a plan and a purpose for all things.

Even for strokes.

I may not understand (I don't!), but that's ok.

Because God is God and I am not.

Because even in the valley, God is still God and He is still good.

This has been a year of good days and bad days, of frustrating days, of encouraging days. It has been a year of learning and growing. It is an experience I certainly don't want to repeat, but I am thankful.

Thankful for all God has taught me, and is still teaching me, through this experience. Thankful for family and friends who have walked through this journey with me. Thankful for all the people who have prayed me through this experience.

I didn't see it coming. But it happened. And I survived.

I am a stroke survivor.

And it's all because of God's amazing grace.

"Now therefore, our God, we praise You, and praise Your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:13 NASB





Because Sometimes We Need To Be Reminded

It's that time again. The season of Thanksgiving. The season of daily "I am thankful for...." posts on social media.

Today's post is a reposting from a few years ago, because, in spite of what our social media may lead us to believe, we don't always look like or sound like or act like very thankful people. We spend far more time complaining than we spend giving thanks. We spend far more energy stressing over the not-as-we-might-like-it-to-be things in our personal lives or our family or our world than we spend being thankful for the as-we-like-it things in life. We even look a little grumpy more often than we look happy or joyful or thankful.

Why is that? That's really the question, isn't it?

Perhaps the problem is that we spend too much time focusing on what's wrong rather than on what is right. Perhaps we are spending too much time focusing on what we don't have rather than what we do have.

Perhaps we need to be reminded of just how blessed we really are!

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes on the subject, along with a couple of favorite Scripture verses. Perhaps these reminders will help us get our focus where it needs to be. Perhaps they will help to remind us of all the reasons we have for being truly thankful. Because sometimes we all need to be reminded.

"When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things."  (Amy Vanderbilt)

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, and not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."  (Charles Dickens)

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."  (Philippians 4:8 NASB)

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 NASB)

Blessing upon Blessing. A Thankful Tuesday Post.

When I was a child, I often heard my parents say that time passes more quickly as you get older. At the time, I thought that was just silly. But now that I'm older, I realize they were right, as they were about so many things I didn't understand when I was younger. I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that we are already a week into the month of November. Where does the time go?


I love the month of November. This is the month it finally begins to feel a little cooler here in South Carolina. The holiday season is beginning, with thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas and family gatherings. And November is often celebrated on Facebook with daily lists of reasons to be thankful.
(Apparently we aren't all that thankful during the other months, but that's a thought for another day.)


November puts us in a thankful frame of mind, doesn't it? And whether or not we post our lists on social media, it's a good time to slow down a bit, to stop and reflect on all the reasons we have to be thankful. Whether you have a fancy journal, or a notebook, or you use some electronic means, making a list - writing things down - helps us to focus. To remember. To give thanks.


Here are a few of the things on my list this morning:

• Another day of life. My stroke last hear reminded me that every day is a gift!
• My family
• My new church family
• Coffee!
• My husband making breakfast this morning
• The weekend we had with our family
• Christopher recovering well
• Anticipation of more family time in a couple of weeks.
• Good health
• Friends

And the list goes on.


So many reasons for giving thanks. One blessing after another. Blessing upon blessing. My heart is overflowing!


"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of his benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 KJV)

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times......."
                                             from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens




That quote perfectly fits my weekend. It was the best. It was the worst.


I was very excited on Thursday to learn that the Greensboro Feasters would be here for the weekend. What an unexpected treat! A weekend with a grandson (and his parents, too, of course!). What a gift!


We had a wonderful weekend together. Laughter. Good food. Time together. Nothing makes this Nana happier! It was the best!


But there was also the worst. On Friday evening we learned that Christopher, our other grandson, had been in an accident. While at a birthday party, he had fallen off a golf cart and had been transported to the local hospital. He was later transported to St. Joseph's in Tampa with what the doctor described as a very, very, very bad concussion. Did he really have to say it 3 times? Didn't we get the idea when we heard it one time?


So, in between the "best", there was a lot of calling and texting to get updates on Christopher's condition. Thankfully, he was discharged on Saturday afternoon, and is recovering well.


The weekend was an emotional rollercoaster! But through it all, through the bests and the worsts, was the absolute best - a faithful God who was not surprised by any of this. A faithful God who knows exactly what we need. Who meets our every need. Who watches over and protects His children.


These "bests" and "worsts" are a good reminder of that. God is in control. Sometimes bad things happen. Even so, God is there to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.


How thankful I am for that truth.


How thankful I am that all this turned out well.


How thankful I am for the scripture I memorized long ago as a child:  "What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee." (Psalm 56:3)


How thankful I am that in all the "bests" and "worsts" and all the in-betweens, God is good.


"When it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn't surrendered His authority." (AW Tozer)

A Song of Thanksgiving

"Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

To God the Creator triumphantly raise,

Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

Who guideth us on to the end of our days.

His banners are o'er us, His light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

'Til shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,

As forward we travel from light into light.

His law He enforces, the stars in their courses,

The sun in His orbit, obediently shine.

The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,

The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him Divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing,

With glad adoration a song let us raise,

'Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving

To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!

                                                                              -Katherine K. Davis

Those are the words to a hymn titled "Let All Things Now Living", written by Katherine K. Davis and typically sung to a traditional Welsh melody. It's one of those hymns we don't sing in church any more, but it's still one of my favorites.

 

This hymn seems to come to my mind every year at this time. It isn't because we frequently sing this hymn at this time of year, or at any other time of year, for that matter. In fact, I can't remember when I last heard this hymn as part of congregational singing. Rather, at this time of year particularly, this hymn is called up from deep in the recesses of my memory. It's a catchy tune, but this morning the text has my attention.

 

Perhaps it's because I'm not as young as I used to be! Or perhaps there is some other reason. In any event, I am becoming more and more aware of how much I take for granted. How often I forget to say "thank you". It's not that I'm ungrateful. Forgetful, yes. A little scatter-brained sometimes. More forgetful post-stroke than I was previously. Easily distracted, particularly since the stroke. But not ungrateful. Never ungrateful.

 

At this time of year, and particularly as I am approaching my "strokaversary", this Song of Thanksgiving is appropriate. I have so many reasons for thanksgiving this morning, not the least of which is the beauty of the world around me. I love this season of the year with its brilliant reds and golds. With its spectacular sunsets and breathtaking morning skies. It's a beautiful season of the year, my favorite season, and I am so thankful. This year the colors haven't been as brilliant as they are in some seasons, but it is still a beautiful time of year.

 

 

Beyond the beauty of the season, I have so many other reasons to be thankful. I'm thankful for my husband and my family. For dear friends. For my new church family. For my health. Especially for my health.

 

I'm thankful for the privilege of prayer. I'm thankful that God hears and answers. I'm thankful for those times when I utter a prayer with a very specific request, and within just a few minutes I have my answer! And I'm equally thankful for those times when the answer is a long time in coming. The times when I'm learning how to wait and how to trust. I'm thankful for all that those times are teaching me about God and about faith.

 

I am so very grateful for a Sovereign Lord. One who knows me best and loves me most. One who has all things under control. One who has a purpose for all things.
 

This morning I am so very grateful. For another day of life. And for the privilege of living it for Jesus!

So very grateful.

It's a good day for a song of thanksgiving!

"My heart overflows with a good theme."  (Psalm 45:1 NASB)

A New Attitude. A Thankful Tuesday Post.

Today is the last day of October, and for many that means thoughts of pumpkins and trick-or-treating and other similar pursuits. For me, it is a reminder that November is just around the corner, and November brings thoughts of the day life changed from "normal" to "not".


Last year, on November 16, I had a hemorrhagic stroke. That was followed by months of therapy. When I was discharged from therapy, I was told by my doctors and therapists that I would continue to improve. I confess, I didn't believe them, but I was wrong.


I have continued making steady progress, improving day by day, across all these months. People sometimes ask if I am 100% yet, and my answer is still no. And I may never be 100% of what I once was. There are still things I can't do, and things I struggle with. But I am so much better than I ever thought I would be. And I continue to improve.


For all the months since the stroke, I always thought of myself as "the girl who had a stroke" or as a person in stroke recovery. But in the last few weeks, my attitude has changed. I am no longer "the girl who had the stroke". I am no longer a stroke victim.


I have a new attitude.


I am a stroke survivor!


And it is all because of God's amazing grace!


"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19 NIV

Overwhelmed

Some time ago I studied through Charles Stanley's 30 Life Principles, and recently I revisited the study. Today I have been pondering Life Principle Number 1:

"Our intimacy with God - His highest priority for our lives - determines the impact of our lives."

We are designed for relationship with God. God desires to have a relationship with us. An intimate relationship. Isn't that a mind-boggling thought? That the Creator of all things desires to have an intimate relationship with us. With me.

I'm overwhelmed!

Words Matter

Words matter.


I have learned just how much in these months since my stroke last year. I have always loved words, but in these months of struggling for the right word, of not being able to connect with the word I'm trying to say, of not understanding the word I'm being given...all that has given me a new appreciation for the power of words.


Yet even as I value the power of words, I find myself these days shying away from many of the words I read and hear. On radio and television, in social media, everywhere we turn, it seems that our discourse is full of rancor and hatred, of harshness and criticism.


Whatever happened to good manners? It seems "common courtesy" is no longer common! Whatever happened to respect? Whatever happened to treating other people the way you would want to be treated?


Whatever happened to thinking before we speak? Whatever happened to choosing our words carefully? When did we decide that the words we use just don't matter? What has happened to us as a people?


I have written before about the days when I struggle with these posts. That was true even before my stroke. Some days, words come easily. Some days, not so much. Even on the "not so much" days, perhaps especially on those days, I want to choose my words carefully because words matter. 

Not just written words. All words matter.


Consider, for example, good manners and words of respect. Please. Thank you. Yes, sir. No, ma'am. Manners aren't just for Southerners. And far too often, Southerners don't have them either! How we treat each other matters, and the words we choose are a reflection of that. In our increasingly discordant world, it's important to be respectful, even when we don't agree. Especially when we don't agree. Words matter.


Words can encourage, or they can bring discouragement. It matters which we choose. 

We have, by the words we choose to use, the ability to lift someone up or to tear them down. And this ability carries across the spectrum of life. At home. In politics. In the workplace. In the classroom. At the mall. At the gym. Everywhere we go.


As you're out and about today, doing life, encountering various individuals and situations, choose your words carefully. Be respectful. Because words matter.





"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."  (Proverbs 25:11 ESV)

Editing

Any writer knows that editing can be a tedious process. Whether writing a blog or a magazine article or a book or a Bible study. Whatever. Checking spelling. Replacing one word with another. Rearranging sentences. Formatting. Then checking it all and doing it again. And again. And again.

It occurs to me we could all benefit from the editing process. Writers carefully check each word and phrase, making sure that what is being written is exactly what needs to be said.

I think it can be said that each of us needs to do some self-editing.

Editing of the words that come out of our mouths. Before they come out of our mouths!

Editing of the things we post to Facebook and Twitter. 

Editing of the "likes" we're so quick to click on. 

Editing of the things we share, on social media and elsewhere.

Perhaps the world would be a better place if we all did a little more self-editing.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear."  (Ephesians 4:29 NASB)

In All I Do. Really?

Amazing love how can it be?
That you, my king, would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true.
Its my joy to honor you.
In all I do
I honor you.

(from You Are My King by Chris Tomlin)

 

Have you sung that song in church lately? Or have you sung along with the radio as you're driving down the highway? And if not this particular song, perhaps one with a similar lyric.
 

This morning I've been thinking about this song and others like it. It occurs to me that there's a sense in which songs like this one encourage us to stand and blatantly lie in our times of worship.
 

You may be thinking that I have just made a very extreme statement. But think about it. Do you.....do I.....honor our King in all we do?
 

"All we do" covers a lot of territory! Do we always honor God in every single Facebook post or every Twitter tweet? Or in everything we choose to share - or not share - on social media?
 

What about what we choose to watch on TV? The movies we see? The books we read?
 

What about how we relate to our neighbors? Or our co-workers? Or the mailman or the clerk in the store or the server at the restaurant?
 

What about how we relate to our family members?
 

Or the way we take care of our homes? Or our yards? Or our cars? Or any of the other things we've been blessed to have?
 

What about how we handle our money? Or how we handle the lack of money?
 

What about how we spend our leisure time?
 

What about how we relate to those who disagree with us? To those who are "different" than we are?
 

What about at the ballot box?

What about when we don't get what we want?  Or when we get what we don't want? 

What about when God doesn't answer our prayers they way we expect Him to?  Or when the answer is "no" or "not now"?

What about when we're frustrated or discouraged?
 

Are we really honoring God in all we do? Or is it just another song that makes us feel good when we sing it?
  

Something to think about.

Simply Trusting. That Is All.

Times are tough right now for a lot of people. If you aren't in the middle of a tough time, you probably know someone who is.

People are worried and stressed and fearful and feeling uncertain. About all sorts of things. There's the aftermath of the hurricanes. There's politics, which seems to have become a contact spot. There's the attack in Las Vegas. We are wondering what is happening to our country, and we are fearful for the future.

People are dealing with health issues of various kinds. A bad diagnosis. Facing tests and uncertain about what the diagnosis will be. Trying to navigate insurance challenges.

There's unemployment. And underemployment. And nervousness about just how long the job will last. And will it be long enough. Wondering when the next round of lay-offs will come. Worry that the job won't last until retirement. Concern that when retirement comes, there won't be enough money.

There are bills to pay. And too much month at the end of the money.

There are broken relationships. There's stress and anger and frustration.

How do we deal with it all? How do we get through the tough times without falling completely apart?

We adjust our focus. Instead of fixing our attention on the circumstances, we fix our attention in a different direction.  Look up. 

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus....." (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

We remember.  Remember who God is. Call to mind the aspects of His character. Make a list of all the times and all the ways He has come to your aid, all the blessings He has showered on you. Remember how He has never forsaken you. 

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  (Psalm 103:2 ESV)

We trust. We fix our eyes on Jesus. We remember who He is and we remember all He has done. And we trust that He will continue to do that.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

No matter what the circumstances of your life are today, no matter how stressed or upset or worried you might be, rest today in confident assurance that God is in control.  Nothing about your situation comes as a surprise to Him. He knows. He cares. And He's got it all under control. 

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28 ESV)

 



 "Simply trusting ev'ry day, Trusting through a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly, Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall, Trusting Jesus, that is all."

 

(Trusting Jesus - words, Edgar Page Stites; music, Ira Sankey)

 

 

The Gift of October

A few years ago, I took this photo while standing in our driveway. We don't live in the mountains anymore, and there isn't this much color yet on leaves where we live now here in the Upstate of South Carolina. But colors like this are part of the reason I love October! Perhaps it's the same for you as well.

October is the month of red and gold and orange leaves.

Of pumpkins and apples.

Of fall festivals.

Of cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Of leaves falling.


For those who live here in the South, October is a welcome respite from the extreme heat we experienced all summer, and even through September.

For those who live further north, October extends the beauty of summer a little longer before the winter months of snow and ice and extreme cold.

October is a gift! Let's enjoy every moment of it, and give thanks to the Giver of all things for such a wonderful gift as October!

 
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery


"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."  (Psalm 106:1 ESV)

Tinted Moisturizer and Mascara

Despite what you may have thought when you read the title, this is not a post about makeup. Even so, thinking about makeup helps to illustrate the point.

Makeup is a fact of life for many women. Truth be told, most women past 25 or 30 just look better with judicious use of some cosmetics. In the words of a pastor friend of ours from years gone by, a little paint never hurt an old barn!

In spite of that, the older I get, the less I want to be bothered with all that. I need it more, but I want to deal with it less. As a result, on most days, if I'm not planning to go out of the house, I don't go through the whole makeup routine. Those are pretty much tinted moisturizer and mascara days. Maybe a little lip gloss. But not much more. Just enough to get by. Just enough not to scare anybody!

Just enough to get by. There's a lot of that going around. Most days, I have just enough cosmetic products on my face to get by. I hear teachers complaining about students who are capable of so much, but do just enough to get by. In the workplace, many are doing just enough to get by without losing their jobs. 

And, sadly, many who call themselves Christian are doing just enough to get by. Certainly becoming a Christian is not about what we do. The Scripture tells us that we must "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 16:31). That's it. It's not about what we do, but about what Jesus has done that is the issue in salvation.

But what about living out our salvation? What about living the Christ-life? 

Spend some time in the New Testament book of Acts. That book has a lot to say about that can help us understand how we are to live the Christ-life as we draw nearer and nearer to the return of Christ to this earth. How do we live the Christ-life in a culture that rejects Him? How do we live the Christ-life in this 11th hour? 

The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, has much to teach us about how we should be living in these days. This group of believers was not satisfied to just get by, and that makes them very different from many believers today, certainly here in the United States.

If you think about it, we here in the United States have much in common with the early church. We are in the minority in our culture, as were they. The early church faced persecution because of their faith, and more and more we are seeing that in our culture as well, as the Christian faith is ever more marginalized in our society. The early church believed that Jesus would return to earth very soon, within their lifetime. While many years have passed since Jesus left this earth and we don't know exactly when He will return, we do know with certainty that He will return because that is what He said He would do. And we also know with certainty that we are closer now than we have ever been to that time. In the words of the Apostle Paul, "salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed."  Romans 13:11b NASB).

That's what we have in common with the early church. Sadly, for many modern-day Christians, that's where the similarities end and the tinted moisturizer and mascara comparisons begin. The early Christians were much more than just enough to get by church members.

Here's what we know about them: "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42 NASB)

Continually. Devoting. Those are very descriptive words. They describe a lifestyle, not an every now and then, just enough to get by, attitude. These early believers were devoted to the apostles' teaching.  They listened. They learned. They applied. And what were the apostles teaching? They were teaching what Jesus had taught them! So to bring this into the 21st century, what should we who call ourselves Christian be doing? We should be, as they were, devoted to, as a habit of life, the study of the Scriptures! Not just to occasionally reading some Scripture. Not to occasionally, when it's convenient and it's not raining and there's no ball game that has our attention, showing up for Bible study and worship on Sunday morning. But as a habit of life, if we are following their example, we should be devoted to the study of the Scripture.

They were continually devoting themselves to fellowship and the breaking of bread and to prayer. In other words, they were doing life together. As a habit of life, they were spending time together. Eating meals together. Celebrating what we now refer to as the Lord's Supper. Together. Praying. Together. They routinely spent time together doing these things. As a habit of life. Not just enough to get by. Not just enough that their name wasn't removed from the class roll. Not just occasionally. Not just when it was convenient and they didn't have anything better to do. This was the better!

That's the model we have from the early church of how to "do" church. How to live as a believer in the 11th hour. (Remember that they thought they were in the 11th hour, too!) This is the model the Scripture gives us of believers living in community with one another. 

The Gaithers wrote a song some years ago titled The Church Triumphant. The song begins with this line: Let the church be the church.

These early believers in Acts 2 show us how the church is to be the church. They show us what it means to be a community of believers. Not just tinted moisturizer and mascara believers, but believers who, as a habit of life, live as a community.

This is not to say that they lived out in some holy huddle, or commune, on the side of a hill somewhere singing Kum Ba Yah all day. Not at all. They still had life to live and families to raise.   They had to make a living and go fishing for the day's meal. But through all that, they lived in community with one another. They did life together. They spent time together. They studied together. They fellowshipped together. They prayed together.

Continually devoting themselves to.  As a habit of life.  As a priority of life.

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  (Acts 2:42 NASB, emphasis mine)

They were not tinted moisturizer and mascara believers. Neither should we be!

What was the result of that kind devotion? 

"Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place."  (Acts 2:43 NASB)

"And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."
(Acts 2:47b NASB)

If we're missing the sense of awe, perhaps it's because we're also missing that kind of devotion.

That's really the question for us as believers here in 21st century America, isn't it?  What are we devoted to?

How would you describe yourself? What would those who know you best say about you? What about those who just see you occasionally? Are you known more as a continually devoted kind of believer? Or are you better described as tinted moisturizer and mascara?

Something to think about.

A Reunion. A Thankful Tuesday Post.

As so often happens, yesterday when I was looking for something, I came across something completely unrelated, but which captured my attention in a way that made me completely forget what I was looking for in the first place.


Yesterday, in what seemed at first to be a completely random Facebook ramble, I came across a couple of posts from family and friends originally posted during my days in the hospital last November.


There was this post from November 30, a few days after I had moved to Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute:


Afternoon update...Susan has had a full day and is resting before dinner. 4 sessions - PT, OT, and SLP today, and had her hair done. At the last session of PT she did 10 minutes on the exercise machine then walked 65 feet with the walker and 65 feet with no walker. I am so proud of her efforts so she can go home soon. I believe that God is going to COMPLETELY restore Susan for what ever He has in His plan for her. It is so great to see her improving each day.


Last Tuesday, I was back at Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute for a reunion. Last week was National Rehabilitation Awareness week (who knew there was such a thing!!), and former patients were invited back for a reunion dinner. It was a good dinner, and we met some new friends. But the best thing was seeing some of my former therapists, and having them see me.


The reunion gave me another chance to thank my therapists again for all they did in helping me through those really challenging days. And it was a chance to encourage the staff, as they could see me, and others like me, doing so much better. The therapists at Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute, and other facilities like it, see us at our worst, but very rarely get to see us once we have "rehabilitated". I'm thankful for last week's reunion so that all those who were so helpful to me and others like me could be encouraged to see how their work paid off.


Beyond that, it was another reminder just how blessed I am. What happened to me could have had a very different outcome. As I sat there last Thursday afternoon, and reflected on what happened to me and to so many others like me, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. There were people there whose condition was not as bad as mine, and people whose condition was far worse. How thankful I am to be one of many who can say, they wheeled me in, but I walked out on my own two feet!


I had amazing doctors and nurses. Amazing therapists. I received excellent care in the hospital and at rehab. My family and friends took wonderful care of me, and continue to do that to this day. I am so grateful for each one.


While I acknowledge and am grateful for all these people, the reason I did so well, the reason I am able to read and write this today is because of the amazing grace of God! So, To God be the glory. Great things He has done!


"This is the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118:23 NASB)

What's Your Password?

We live in a world that requires a password for everything. Access to your smartphone. Or to Facebook. Or to Twitter. Or to online banking. Or online shopping. Or to retrieve your voice mail.  There's a password for everything.

Have you ever forgotten a password? Oh, the frustration! And if you forgot the password and you also forgot the answers to the security questions that would help you retrieve and reset the password........

It's a nightmare. 

We experienced that several times over the summer as we were making the switch from one computer to another. As Al has been helping his dad deal with the aftermath of his mom's passing, there is a whole new set of passwords to remember. When I had my stroke last fall, Al was confronted with trying to figure out my passwords. At one point, he was locked out of my phone for several weeks because he didn't have the right password, and following the instructions to get past that was more confusing than trying to figure out the passwords!

All that frustration reminded me once again how thankful I am that, when it comes time for me to enter Heaven, I won't need some combination of letters and numbers and special characters.

Because Jesus paid it all, and because I am in a personal relationship with Him, there is no other password needed. I will enter Heaven, as the old gospel hymn said, in the merits of Jesus who for sinners bled and died. 

No other password needed. Thank You, Lord!

"Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit."
(1 Peter 3:18 NASB)

Living Loud

Several months ago I came across an article about the 11 things the parents of boys should know, or some title similar to that. I think the article originally appeared in the Huffington Post, which is not a publication I typically read, and when I tried to find the article again to verify the title, I couldn't find it. No matter. What I particularly remember from that article is the author's point that boys are loud.

The article was written by a woman, and apparently one who had never spent a lot of time around little boys. I, however, as a mother of boys and a grandmother of boys, was not surprised by this point at all! Before we go any further, let me clarify. I hate generalizations. Hate them! To say that all boys are this way and all girls are that way is both unfair and inaccurate, but debating that isn't the point of this post.

What I can tell you, from my own experience as a mother and a grandmother, is that boys can be loud. They may not always be loud, every moment of every day, but they can make a lot of noise. At least it has always seemed so to me. In fairness, even though I grew up as a quiet, shy girl who spent most of her time with her nose in a book, I am sure there were days when my mother, who was herself the quiet type, thought I was very loud!

Children, both boys and girls, can be loud. They play with an enthusiastic abandonment that doesn't really notice, or care, if their enthusiasm is disturbing someone else. Children arrive in the world with loud cries, making their presence known. They cry loudly when they are hungry or sleepy or wet. And that living loud continues until some grownup along the way convinces them that they are making too much noise and need to be quiet. 

I think there is a lot we as adults, particularly as Christian adults, can learn from the enthusiasm of children. Children live loud. They are not particularly concerned with what other people think. They radiate joy. They don't hold back.

Think about that, about living loud, as it applies to the Christian life. As Christians, are we living out our faith with enthusiasm and abandonment, or are we holding back because of a concern about what other people will think?

Are we, as Christians, living loud for Jesus? Are we, you and I, living a Biblical Christianity or a cultural Christianity? Are we more interested in what the culture thinks of us, or in what Jesus thinks of us?

In a culture that increasingly tries to marginalize or silence any expression of Christian faith, what does it mean to live loud for Jesus? How can we live loud for Jesus today?

Something to think about.

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!" (Psalm 96:3 ESV)

Content. A Thankful Tuesday Post.

I remember when Molly was just a puppy, full of energy and enthusiasm. She is no longer young. In fact, her 14th birthday is just a few weeks away. Molly is an old dog now. She doesn't see very well, and she can't hear. Even so, she's content. In that regard, Molly and I have a lot in common.


Over the last few weeks, I have been asked a number of times if I am back to 100 percent. And the answer is no. I am not exactly like I was before the stroke. I can no longer drive. There are a number of things I can't do any more, or that I can't do as well as I once was able to do them.


As an example, reading was once one of the great joys of my life. It was not uncommon for me to read several books in a week. Currently, I am able to read - something I once never thought I would be able to do again - but it is a very slow process for me. I am currently [still] reading a book I began in July, and am now about one-fourth of the way through. But, even though it is much slower than it used to be, I am enjoying the process and remembering what I have read. So, that's a good thing!


Yes, life is sometimes frustrating. Yes, I wish I didn't get my words mixed up and confuse colors and struggle with numbers. But what I can do is so much more than what I can't do.


For that, I am profoundly grateful.


And even though life isn't exactly what it used to be, in many ways, it's better. I have gained a greater joy in the journey. A greater appreciation for each new day of life. An even greater love for my family and friends.


And I am content.


"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Philippians 4:11 NASB)