Acts 10:34-35 (NIV) - "God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Acts 10:34-35 (MSG) - "God plays no
favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if
you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open."
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What is true respect? Unlike humans, God does not base His love on socioeconomics, gender, ethnicity, political party, or anything else so trivial. He loves all whether all love Him and bases it on the blood of Christ shed for all (1 John 4:19, John 3:16, Romans 2:4).
I know that the world is not capable of unconditional love and true mercy, but what is most hurtful is to see professing Christians act like they aren't capable of it either. We who claim Christ should be fully equipped to show the unconditional love and mercy of God to all who are hurting.
And who isn't hurting?
Don't let people's facades of success and independence fool you. Their hurts are well-hidden behind fake smiles, the fog of substances, locked doors, gated communities, or Pinterest pages.
We. All. Hurt.
How do we break through the hurt? Not by arguments, vitriol, separatism, violence, or insults. We break through the hurts by respecting people as God's hurting children, throwing out the world's divisive idea of respect, and sharing the goodness of God with all.
Last time you moved house? Something you've learned in moving house?
In 2017, I moved house four times in one year: from Miss Sue's house to Miss Merrell's to get ready for my move to CO, then from Miss Merrell's to my friends who graciously let me live with them until I could get my own place in CO, and finally from there to my own apartment. What did I learn? That I never want to move that many times again. Lord willing, the next time I move will be to my own house!
Move mountains, move along, make a wrong move, moved to tears, get a
move on, move up, move over, move out of the way, move the deck chairs
on the Titanic, move it!...pick one and tell us how it fits your recent
circumstances.
Moved to tears. I already talked about why in my last Daybook, so I won't rehash it here.
What have you been doing to make yourself move (aka stay fit-active) during these strange times?
The Green Hornet is lonely.
Not enough. I'm hoping that like my creativity, my inspiration to work out will come back in full force. All my attempts to get restarted have not fared well. I'm either sick or simply exhausted. Because I do better with outer accountability, last year, I used a membership at the community centers as a motivation to get out and move, but since there's so many restrictions (only one center open, have to make reservations to enter, have to wear a mask, have to social distance in fitness classes) plus, they jacked up the prices, so it's just not an option right now. I've got plenty I can do at home. I just need to string together a few of days where I feel well so I can restart.
This week's calendar includes celebrations for the following foods- National Coffee Milkshake Day (Sunday), National Creme Brûlée Day
(Monday), National Milk Chocolate Day (Tuesday), National Chicken Wing
Day (Wednesday), National Lasagna Day (Wednesday), National Cheesecake
Day (Thursday), and National Avocado Day (Friday). Which one on the list would you be most inclined to celebrate? Which would you be most inclined to skip?
I enjoy avocado on a regular basis, so that wouldn't be much of a celebration. I would definitely say yes to Cheesecake, lasagna, chicken wings, or milk chocolate. I don't like cold coffee and I honestly don't know what creme brulee is, so they do not appeal to me.
Next week's Hodgepodge lands in August! I know!! Raise your hand if you
feel like July flew by in the blink of an eye? Now bid farewell to your
July acrostic style. If you don't know what that means click here.
J - July, goodbye!
U - Ugly was your treatment of me.
L - Living through you was not fun.
Y - Yay! August is on the way.
Insert your own random thought here.
A photo from my day...
* My latest 2020 It's the Hardback Life book review is here. It's an older review, but I read the book again last week.
* My latest Simple Woman's Daybook is here.
* My latest Auntie's Workshop post is here.
* My Auntie's Workshop summer card collection is here. Note: I am now accepting PayPal. Contact me for details. I'm working on my fall collection, so STAY TUNED.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, July 26 , 2020
Looking Out My Window ... More pictures of the beauty that is around me. I met up with my friend Amy this week at Union Square Park. These photos are from that trek.
I am Thinking...
I'm wondering why food companies create resealable packaging that you have to destroy to get the package OPEN!
Winter is heavily on my mind lately. Yes, I know we're in the middle of summer, but this whole season of isolation has not been good for me. I've mentioned before that I battle Seasonal Affective Disorder every year. Colorado was at the tail end of the winter season (we can get snow into May) when mandated quarantine was put into effect. Then the whole George Floyd incident happens and now I've got too many more reasons to stay inside than venture out. Getting back to my church or working a few days in the office don't look like they're going to happen for several more months. Colorado's first snow usually happens in October. My psyche hasn't recovered. I had a brief period where I thought I was getting well, but I've had a relapse. I just don't think I can handle winter on top of all this.
I am Thankful...
For the fun walk with Amy and her sweet Eleanor. It's hard to grasp that she'll be two years old this winter. I hadn't seen her since she was an arm baby. Now, she's walking and saying discernible words. Many, they grow don't they?
For hope. I bought this in the hopes there will be a reason to use it.
From the Workshop...
Along with completing my latest Dollar Tree Challengeand prepping for the next ones, I've been slowly working on a couple of painting projects. I reorganized my craft supplies. My plan was to buy another one of those 9-cube shelves and the fabric drawers to put the supplies in. However, Wal-Mart is doing their "let's discontinue things people actually want and buy" thing they do every year. So, I rearranged my other shelves to accommodate. Hopefully this will make things easier to find.
One of the fun things from the Workshop this week was my friend Diana found a cute fall wreath idea online and her Dollar Tree happened to have the supplies plus, she had the fabric for it. We got together Saturday and put them together. Here's mine:
From Auntie's Test Kitchen... In short, I conquered #43 on my 50 for fifty list.
For just a little background, my mother almost always cooked beans from dry. I tried it once years ago and got B. B. pellets instead of beans. I figured it was my less-than-stellar cooking skills, so I never tried it again. When I told Susan I was putting this on my 50 for fifty list, she said that my lack of success before may not have been my fault; I may have gotten old beans and didn't know it. Well, the one good thing about everyone clearing the grocery store shelves is that all the dry beans I bought were new off the truck. I followed the instructions on the packaging (except I cooked mine in the crock pot) and they turned out fine.
I am Reading...
Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson
Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch by John Webster
Theological Interpretation of Scripture by Stephen Fowl
Breaking Free by Beth Moore Tactics by Gregory Koukl Christian Apologetics by Douglas Groothuis The Story of Christianity, Volume 2 by Justo Gonzalez
Favorite Quote(s) of the Week ...
"If God chose for you to have physical children, prepare yourself. They will grow up! Then it's time to enlarge your tent and invest in spiritual children! If God chooses for you never to have physical children, He's calling you to a far bigger family! God purposely placed the dreams of fruitful lives in our hearts." - Beth Moore, Breaking Free, p. 160.
Do you think the pandemic has had any kind of positive impact on your mental health? Explain.
Absolutely not. This pandemic has taken everything that was healthy for my psyche like face to face interaction and physical touch and crapped all over it. Sure, I've saved some money by not leaving the house every day, but has it been worth the isolation, loneliness, and depression? Hardly.
WARNING: Rant coming.
I know most of you reading this will not understand. Most of my friends and acquaintances don't understand. In fact, some have been rather cruel and condescending to me over it (Ever have someone roll their eyes at your prayer request? Yeah, it happened). They consider it some glorious opportunity for reconnection with their families, or worse yet, deemed this an introvert's paradise where they finally don't have to deal with people, while forgetting that they have built in community at home (spouses, roommates, children, parents, etc.) and are not truly alone. I've tried to remind them that solitary confinement is considered a punishment!
One, I think it's wonderful that families are reconnecting and spending more constructive quality time together and growing in love and grace with each other. I'm all for that. It is a shame that it took a pandemic to do it, but it is what it is. Two, I'm an ambivert, which means I have a balance of introvert and extrovert tendencies--I get energy from being around people, but also get energy from alone time. Throw one of those out of balance and all my energy is drained. Too much people time is overwhelming to my psyche, but too much alone time has the same effect. Even true introverts aren't emotionally healthy if they avoid people altogether for extended periods of time. God built the human being for community--some of us like it in large doses, some in small doses, but a dose is necessary.
I relish the day when this is over!
A hot mess, hot under the collar, in hot water, hot button, hot diggity dog!, hot shot, hot seat....choose one and tell us how it applies to your life currently.
A hot mess, but in a good way. As I mentioned a few posts ago, my creative fires have been rekindled. We all know that the creation of art is always somewhat messy. I'm trying to improve my organization, but it hasn't been easy. Wal-Mart is doing their "let's discontinue everything people like" thing again and I can't find anything I want.
Speaking of the hot seat, do you work well under pressure or do you actively avoid high pressure situations?
It depends on the source of the pressure. I do put undue pressure on myself in some situations, but I work well with it. If it's pressure from someone else or is caused by unforeseen negative circumstances, I don't handle it well.
Sorry, not sorry. 😊
Hotdogs-yay or nay? If you said yay how do you like yours? Did you know July is National hotdog month?
Yes, I enjoy hotdogs. I like them with mustard, onions, and relish, or with slaw and barbecue sauce. I enjoy them grilled, boiled, or fried (I don't have a grill or a grill pan). Hmm, July is National hot dog month? I may have to make me a slaw dog or two before the month is over.
I read here a list of America's coolest Southern towns. They are Marfa Texas, Greenville South Carolina, Abindgon Virginia, Athens Georgia, Bentonville Arkansas, Florence Alabama, Oxford Mississippi, Abita Springs Louisiana, Wilmington North Carolina, Monroeville Alabama, McMinnville Tennessee, Natchez Mississippi. How many on the list have you seen in person? Which town on the list would you most like to see?
Wait, this list didn't include Jacksonville, Alabama or Buies Creek, North Carolina. Bogus! Well, at least there weren't any Florida towns listed because we all know the Florida isn't really a southern state.
I'm still not sorry. 😈
Anyway,
I've not been to any of those towns (no, not even the Alabama ones). Honestly, these don't appeal to me. Some of the Southern towns I'd like to visit are Gulf Shores, Alabama for the beach of course, Gee's Bend, Alabama to meet the famous quilters, Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the art shops, and Fort Worth, Texas to attend a big Bible conference they have there every summer.
Insert your own random thought here.
Saw this shirt at Wal-Mart...
In case you're interested:
* My latest 2020 It's the Hardback Life book review is here. It's an older review, but I read the book again this week.
* My latest Five Minute Friday post is here.
* My latest Simple Woman's Daybook is here.
* My latest Auntie's Workshop post is here.
* My Auntie's Workshop summer card collection is here. Note: I am now accepting PayPal. Contact me for details. I'm working on my fall collection, so STAY TUNED.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, July 19 , 2020
Looking Out My Window ... More pictures of the beauty that is around me. These are from my friend Joan's flower garden:
I am Thinking...
I start a new course tomorrow and I'm thinking about the materials.
I'm thinking about my next craft projects (always).
I'm wondering whether the Marching Southerners will have the reunion this year. It wouldn't be until November, so we've still got time.
I wondering how to get the sweat smell out of clothes in a washing machine that you can't soak anything in or lengthen the wash time.
I am Thankful...
For my tire problem only being a faulty valve stem: I hadn't run over anything and it only cost $5.00 to fix.
For a great time of painting and chatting with my friend Joan.
For a fun time of crafting and catching up with my sister Clara this weekend. We've decided to have a Christmas crafting day over video chat once a month. I didn't quite finish what I was working on, but I'll show it to you at my next Daybook. It should be ready by then.
For a cell phone that takes really good pictures. I do want a more professional digital camera, but until then my phone does a good job.
For YouTube craft tutorials.
From the Workshop...
I completed another blanket for Colorado Family Life Center. The pattern is called "Pretty in Peach." It's from an old Leisure Arts pattern book.
Had a fun painting party with Kristi and Misty this past week.
From Auntie's Test Kitchen...Nothing much this week.
I am Reading...
Esther Ried by Isabella McDonald Alden (Pansy) Breaking Free by Beth Moore Tactics by Gregory Koukl Christian Apologetics by Douglas Groothuis The Story of Christianity, Volume 2 by Justo Gonzalez
Favorite Quote(s) of the Week ...
"The filling only He can give does not automatically accompany our salvation...Salvation secures our lives for all eternity. Soul satisfaction ensures abundant life on earth." - Beth Moore.
My two favorite kinds of smiles: those of children and the elderly. Why? Most young children have not been jaded by the joy-stealers of society and many of the elderly have endured the joy stealers and come out on top. When I taught preschool, not a day went by that we didn't smile and laugh about something--it didn't have to make sense. As I age, I don't mind if my face shows the joy of laugh lines rather than the saggy jowls of depression and perpetual sadness.
Whenever I have to go out, I try to show smiling eyes to reveal the smiling mouth under my mask. Folks are still afraid and they need a friendly "yes" face. Charles Swindoll told this story in one of his books (I read it years ago and can't remember which one but I found the quote here):
During Thomas Jefferson's presidency he and a group of travelers were
crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on
horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group
traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to
take him across. The president agreed without hesitation, the man
climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river
where somebody asked him: "Why did you select the President to ask this
favor?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the
President of the United States who had carried him safely across. "All I
know," he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer
'No' and on some of them was the answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."
I want my face to smile and say "Yes, there is still joy out here. Yes, I care. Yes, you are loved."
The sweetness of summer...where have you found it recently? If you're in the Southern hemisphere, feel free to tell us about the sweetness you're finding in winter.
As I said in my Daybook from Sunday, whenever I'm out I try to find beauty around me. Seems like the more I look for it, the more I find it. Some of my recent photos are below. I'm trying to relish the sweetness of summer while keeping fall in view.
Take your sweet time, sweet tooth, home sweet home, short but sweet, the sweet smell of success, sweet talk...choose a sweet idiom and tell us how it fits your life currently?
I think "take your sweet time" fits right now. As much as I like to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible, when I'm out, I don't like to feel rushed or to be hurried by someone else's impatience. The line in the Serenity Prayer, "...living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time" stands out to me lately. I don't want to keep wondering where the time went. I want to have evidence and memories to show for the passing years.
And of course, sweet home Alabama is always on my mind.
Sweet as honey, sweet as sugar, or sweet as pie, which phrase do you use when a sweet phrase is called for? What's the last sweet treat you indulged in?
I don't really use any of those. I'm an old Southern soul who like to call people "Sugah."
As far as sweet treats go: Years ago when I was staying with Miss Sue, we discovered International Delight's Cold Stone Creamery Sweet Cream flavored coffee creamer and thoroughly enjoyed adding it to our morning coffee. I hadn't seen any in the stores since I moved to Colorado until now. Last time I shopped for groceries I bought myself a container of it and have been enjoying it when I treat myself with coffee instead of tea.
First thing that comes to mind when you hear the word fidget?
Spinner. I also think of whether my crochet hooks or paint brushes can be considered fidget toys. My most relaxing and settling times are when I'm crocheting or painting. I can sit still and rest as long as my hands are busy.
Share with us one of your favorite childhood travel memories.
We grew up poor, so we didn't do any out of town vacations or family trips. My best travel memories from childhood are going on trips with the marching band or camping trips and fun activities with the Girl Scouts and with my church youth group. Fun times.
Insert your own random thought here.
Saw the funniest thing on the internet. An article in The New York Times had some exciting news about a new device developed in Singapore that allows people to open their windows yet drown out city noise. I just shook my head. Southerners have had those for years--it's called a BOX FAN!
Anyway...
I took these photos when I was out having a tire fixed yesterday.
In case you're interested:
* My latest 2020 It's the Hardback Life book review is here.
* My latest Five Minute Friday post is here.
* My latest Simple Woman's Daybook is here.
* My latest Auntie's Workshop post is here.
* My Auntie's Workshop summer card collection is here. Note: I am now accepting PayPal. Contact me for details. I'm working on my fall collection, so STAY TUNED.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, July 12 , 2020
Looking Out My Window ... This isn't exactly out my window, but as I go out and about, I try to see the beauty that's around me. Though the weather is hot and dry, there's beautiful landscaping and flowers all around to enjoy.
I am Thinking...
I'm beginning to think that the city of Lakewood is paved with nails. For the second time this year, I've gotten yet another flat tire. Hopefully, I can get something done about it tomorrow. This is aggravating. I wish I knew how to use a jack and change out my own tire. I've seen it done, but that's not something I want to learn by trial and error.
I'm thinking about the things God is teaching me lately.
While I'm continuing to find pockets of joy during the summer months, I'm thinking about what fall will look like.
I'm pondering how to conduct a comprehensive study of every book of the Bible. Lord willing, I'll be finished with my classes by February and will have more time for even deeper study. I've explored some options and looked at some available materials, but haven't made any definitive plans for how I'm going to do this.
I am Thankful...
For freedom.
For better results than expected from my yearly physical. The goal in the next year is to work hard at making them even better.
For friends who know more about bicycles than I do.
For the continued ability to work from home and not miss a beat.
From the Workshop...
I've completed a couple of Dollar Tree Challenges: See #1 here, #2 here.
I've been trying new paintings and techniques lately. Many times when I try new things, I end up repainting the same canvas several times. In fact, I finally tossed a canvas I'd painted with at least four unsuccessful attempts. After that many, the canvas has no more tooth to it and is begging to be tossed. So, I let it go. However, my last sessions produced three successful paintings:
From Auntie's Test Kitchen...
I've mostly been doing some redecorating and rearranging in the kitchen. I bought one of those dry erase calendar posters at the Dollar Tree and hung it. I rearranged the paintings I had in the kitchen. My friend Emily gave me the idea to cover the ugly circuit breaker box with a painting.
See? All gone.
I am Reading...
Breaking Free by Beth Moore Tactics by Gregory Koukl Christian Apologetics by Douglas Groothuis The Story of Christianity, Volume 2 by Justo Gonzalez
Never Say Diet Book by Richard Simmons The Beauty of Intolerance by Josh and Sean McDowell
Favorite Quote(s) of the Week ...
"Genuine and mature Christian community is powerful and winsome...[C]elibacy often has negative connotations in the church because we have lost the art of friendship. The church is often focused solely on marriage at the expense of meaningful relationships in the larger body of Christ. While marriage is critical for the church and society, we must also build loving, committed, relational communities that represent the entire body of Christ, including those who choose celibacy." - Josh McDowell
"The filling only He can give does not automatically accompany our salvation...Salvation secures our lives for all eternity. Soul satisfaction ensures abundant life on earth." - Beth Moore.
Genesis 8:22 (NIV) - “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
God spoke these words after the greatest disaster on earth--the flooding and destruction of every living thing on earth, save Noah, his family, and the pairs of animals. Even after such a tremendous catastrophe, God still proves faithful to love and provide for his children. The pandemic is not nearly as catastrophic to the entire planet. However, to many individuals, it has been a destroying force, for some it has been a season of loss and unwanted negative change; for some, a mere inconvenience. Whatever the category, we must still rely on the Lord and His faithfulness to see us through this. As for me, I fall somewhere between inconvenience and loss. Blessedly, I didn't lose my job or any friends or loved ones, but I've suffered other forms of loss. It's been difficult to endure the psychological effects of the first months of extended isolation which also negatively affected my physical health. Yet God has been faithful and let me see some victories through it all. He's bringing me out, but the road to full recovery is long.
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This song has been on my mind all this week. Despite all that is going on, every day, He gives me a reason to thank and praise Him.
