"Mimi, would you and Paw Paw like to go to a circus tomorrow?" our thoughtful granddaughter asked. "We have free tickets, and we go every year," she continued.
Circus? Why, I hadn't been to a circus for over 50 years, the only time I'd ever seen one. Why not? I thought. The next day would be Saturday, and it might be fun. And it was!
"Lions and tigers, and bears, O my!" came to mind from a ditty of long ago. Well, there were tigers, camels, llamas and even elephants! I had especially wanted to see elephants.
The great-grandkids in tow loved the costumed comic book and movie characters, especially SPIDER MAN! Daring aerialists and tight-rope walkers kept me with my heart in my mouth at their death-defying whirls and plunges. Thankfully an inflated safety spot was in place just in case!
Vendors tantalized us with exorbitantly-priced snow cones, cotton candy, iced drinks and light-flashing gizmos to wave in the dark.
All in all, it was an entertaining couple of hours, and we appreciated the opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Star Spangled Banner sung by the attendants in the crowded stands.
A pleasant lunch for all eleven of us followed, where we were mesmerized by the little ones, so smart, funny and cute. From what their parents say, every day is a circus!
Saturday, September 28, 2019
The Voice of Wisdom
Last night I was pleased to view a sermon by our son, Benjamin, on YouTube. He titled it "Prodigal Son," which later was changed to "Prodigal Father." As usual, it was eye-opening, funny, thoughtful and unique to his style of ministry.
He has done three other video messages, as given at his church, "Encourager Church," in Houston. One of them is named "The Glory is in the Giving," dealing with the benefits of generosity. He stresses that God does not need your money. In fact, in a couple of references he quotes from the Bible where it is written that God says, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you."
Another is entitled, "The Spirit of the Craftsman" on the blessings and benefits of work, and one he named, "Wrestling for the Blessing." To watch and be encouraged by these thoughtful entries, simply go to YouTube and click on Benjamin Summers. Believe me, you will not be disappointed!
He has done three other video messages, as given at his church, "Encourager Church," in Houston. One of them is named "The Glory is in the Giving," dealing with the benefits of generosity. He stresses that God does not need your money. In fact, in a couple of references he quotes from the Bible where it is written that God says, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you."
Another is entitled, "The Spirit of the Craftsman" on the blessings and benefits of work, and one he named, "Wrestling for the Blessing." To watch and be encouraged by these thoughtful entries, simply go to YouTube and click on Benjamin Summers. Believe me, you will not be disappointed!
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Smile!
Last Sunday I was standing in line to pay for our lunch at Cracker Barrel when a lady a little ahead of me turned and looked at me, waved and smiled. I smiled and waved back, then, curious, I stepped out of line and asked her, "Have we met before?"
She laughed and said, "No, I was waving at the person behind you!"
Well, it was funny, but it still felt good to be acknowledged, even accidentally!
This incident came to mind when I read an item on Facebook this morning. A girl riding in the car with her boyfriend asked him why he waved and smiled at every car he met. He answered her by saying, "I read once that many people who had planned to commit suicide changed their minds when someone smiled at them."
It brought back memories of when as a child riding in the car with my dad. He always waved at people he met on the road. They waved back, too. People don't seem to do that anymore. It was the custom then to smile at a passerby on the street, or for a man to tip his hat to a lady he walked past.
There is a song we used to sing at church, I think at greeting time: "Smile awhile and give your face a rest. Raise you hands to the One you love the best; Then shake hands with those nearby and give to them a smile."
They say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so maybe it really does give your face a rest!
Smile, everyone!
She laughed and said, "No, I was waving at the person behind you!"
Well, it was funny, but it still felt good to be acknowledged, even accidentally!
This incident came to mind when I read an item on Facebook this morning. A girl riding in the car with her boyfriend asked him why he waved and smiled at every car he met. He answered her by saying, "I read once that many people who had planned to commit suicide changed their minds when someone smiled at them."
It brought back memories of when as a child riding in the car with my dad. He always waved at people he met on the road. They waved back, too. People don't seem to do that anymore. It was the custom then to smile at a passerby on the street, or for a man to tip his hat to a lady he walked past.
There is a song we used to sing at church, I think at greeting time: "Smile awhile and give your face a rest. Raise you hands to the One you love the best; Then shake hands with those nearby and give to them a smile."
They say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so maybe it really does give your face a rest!
Smile, everyone!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Surprise Gift!
A few days ago, my eldest granddaughter announced unexpectedly, "Mimi, I'm going to clean your house!" Really? That sounded wonderful to me, although I thought it looked all right. Then one morning she showed up with her paraphernalia of cleaning supplies.
Soon Bethany's feather duster was efficiently flying over furniture, books and window sills. In between tasks, we chatted and visited, then she would disappear with a mop or broom as I was dispatched to another room to relax.
When I returned to the kitchen later, everything was sparking clean. Counters and stove top were gleaming, as was my smile!
Next, she tackled the bathroom where the fixtures got the polishing of their life! Finally, after vacuuming all the rooms and hall, the industrious young lady sat down for a rest.
Later, I thought about how Jesus wants to clean our house. We may think that the dusty corners of prayer neglect would be overlooked. But the cobwebs of lazy thinking and reasoning need to be cleared out.
We need the fresh breath of the Holy Spirit to blow through our messy mind-set and straighten up our attitudes and understanding of His Word!
Gossip that we may entertain is like dirt on the kitchen floor; it needs to be swept out and washed clean!
Finally, we need a cleansing bath in the shower of God's love and forgiveness in the privacy of prayer and re-dedication. Our earthly "house" will feel much lighter!
Thank you, Bethany!
Soon Bethany's feather duster was efficiently flying over furniture, books and window sills. In between tasks, we chatted and visited, then she would disappear with a mop or broom as I was dispatched to another room to relax.
When I returned to the kitchen later, everything was sparking clean. Counters and stove top were gleaming, as was my smile!
Next, she tackled the bathroom where the fixtures got the polishing of their life! Finally, after vacuuming all the rooms and hall, the industrious young lady sat down for a rest.
Later, I thought about how Jesus wants to clean our house. We may think that the dusty corners of prayer neglect would be overlooked. But the cobwebs of lazy thinking and reasoning need to be cleared out.
We need the fresh breath of the Holy Spirit to blow through our messy mind-set and straighten up our attitudes and understanding of His Word!
Gossip that we may entertain is like dirt on the kitchen floor; it needs to be swept out and washed clean!
Finally, we need a cleansing bath in the shower of God's love and forgiveness in the privacy of prayer and re-dedication. Our earthly "house" will feel much lighter!
Thank you, Bethany!
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Proceed with Caution!
"Cemetery. Plots Available." I read on a sign beside the cemetery near the hairpin curves we travel daily. A marker, or a warning? I take it as a warning. but for far too many, it is a destination.
Today we thought we were following directions to a shop I wanted to visit, but instead, we got hopelessly lost! Traffic was tricky as lanes joined or became part of other lanes on the super highways.
We finally made our way out and ended up on country roads that at last led to familiar territory . Evidently we had circled the city and eventually got home. Thankfully, there had been no accidents or mishaps. Thank you, Jesus!
Little by little, we are getting acquainted with shopping areas and food stores and finding the people to be friendly and courteous, for the most part. Howard rarely passes up the opportunity to share a scripture card with clerks and cashiers or amiable strangers. One recipient let us know: "I am a Christian woman. I pray to Jesus every day and He is the most important thing in my life!" How refreshing and rewarding!
With time on his hands, my spouse has picked up the guitar again and is practicing songs. Last night he was accompanied by a sweet granddaughter, and I must say that he sounded better than ever! I can see that I will soon become the videographer for his story/songs again, hopefully having something to pass down to posterity before we get any older! No plots for us just yet, other than plotting out his next song!
Today we thought we were following directions to a shop I wanted to visit, but instead, we got hopelessly lost! Traffic was tricky as lanes joined or became part of other lanes on the super highways.
We finally made our way out and ended up on country roads that at last led to familiar territory . Evidently we had circled the city and eventually got home. Thankfully, there had been no accidents or mishaps. Thank you, Jesus!
Little by little, we are getting acquainted with shopping areas and food stores and finding the people to be friendly and courteous, for the most part. Howard rarely passes up the opportunity to share a scripture card with clerks and cashiers or amiable strangers. One recipient let us know: "I am a Christian woman. I pray to Jesus every day and He is the most important thing in my life!" How refreshing and rewarding!
With time on his hands, my spouse has picked up the guitar again and is practicing songs. Last night he was accompanied by a sweet granddaughter, and I must say that he sounded better than ever! I can see that I will soon become the videographer for his story/songs again, hopefully having something to pass down to posterity before we get any older! No plots for us just yet, other than plotting out his next song!
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The Road not Traveled
My! This road seems longer than ever, I thought as we traveled behind our granddaughter. I wondered if this were the right road! She was guiding us to a church she wanted to visit in a nearby city. We had assumed it was relatively close, but it seemed that we would never get there.
At one point, the curvy road was surrounded by cliffs carved out of the mountains. It felt like I was at Turner Falls in Oklahoma, only scarier.
Finally we got to our destination where we met welcoming, friendly folks who showed us around. They were doing remodeling in the sanctuary and we were directed to the all-purpose building where services were being held. We loved the familiar music and songs and felt right at home.
After the service, Sunday lunch at Cracker Barrel was just what we needed. Afterwards, it was smooth sailing and it seemed we were home in no time! Our hostess admitted she had missed an exit earlier, but it didn't matter since the ride home was uneventful and allowed us to enjoy the scenery!
Sometimes people get on the wrong path in life. It may be fun or carefree for awhile, but ultimately rough spots come up, and it isn't so fun anymore. Life takes a turn for the worse when mountain-size obstacles from wrong living loom in the way. Those thought of as friends may be friends no more.
But the Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:24 that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Who could that be, but Jesus? Another scripture tells us, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path." Proverbs 3:6.
Jesus walked a path for us as He carried his cross to His crucifixion. Let's stay on the right path!
At one point, the curvy road was surrounded by cliffs carved out of the mountains. It felt like I was at Turner Falls in Oklahoma, only scarier.
Finally we got to our destination where we met welcoming, friendly folks who showed us around. They were doing remodeling in the sanctuary and we were directed to the all-purpose building where services were being held. We loved the familiar music and songs and felt right at home.
After the service, Sunday lunch at Cracker Barrel was just what we needed. Afterwards, it was smooth sailing and it seemed we were home in no time! Our hostess admitted she had missed an exit earlier, but it didn't matter since the ride home was uneventful and allowed us to enjoy the scenery!
Sometimes people get on the wrong path in life. It may be fun or carefree for awhile, but ultimately rough spots come up, and it isn't so fun anymore. Life takes a turn for the worse when mountain-size obstacles from wrong living loom in the way. Those thought of as friends may be friends no more.
But the Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:24 that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Who could that be, but Jesus? Another scripture tells us, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path." Proverbs 3:6.
Jesus walked a path for us as He carried his cross to His crucifixion. Let's stay on the right path!
Friday, September 20, 2019
House Keeping
I love old houses. Not to live in, but to see them beside the road, empty and deserted. It makes me wonder about the people and families who have lived out their lives there in times past. One of the structures along our path to town is an old general store. It reminded me of the boy's grandfather from the movie "Where the Red Fern Grows." He ran the store which was almost a replica of the one we pass.
Another house sitting close to the road, vine covered and neglected but pretty much intact, catches my attention. Someone had placed a sign there with the words "Keep Out" warning trespassers. I suppose vagrants may have sought shelter there at one time or another.
We have all been given a "house," which is our mortal body. It is full of memories, experiences, hurts and love. On the outside, if we are not too old, it looks to be in fair shape. But as the years pass it ages and is no match for the "beautiful people," otherwise thought of as the young! We may even feel like putting up a Keep Out! sign to avoid people.
But the Bible tells us good news in II Corinthians chapter 5. "For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: It so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life."
I agree with the scripture in Joshua 24:14, when Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Amen!
Another house sitting close to the road, vine covered and neglected but pretty much intact, catches my attention. Someone had placed a sign there with the words "Keep Out" warning trespassers. I suppose vagrants may have sought shelter there at one time or another.
We have all been given a "house," which is our mortal body. It is full of memories, experiences, hurts and love. On the outside, if we are not too old, it looks to be in fair shape. But as the years pass it ages and is no match for the "beautiful people," otherwise thought of as the young! We may even feel like putting up a Keep Out! sign to avoid people.
But the Bible tells us good news in II Corinthians chapter 5. "For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: It so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life."
I agree with the scripture in Joshua 24:14, when Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Amen!
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