First Light

Daddy died on October 31. 1998. He served our country during WW2, and he never would talk much about it until his final years when he had Parkinson's Disease.

Daddy told about being on guard duty in Europe during the war, and how black and frigid the nights were. He spoke of finishing his watch and thanking God when he saw the first light of another day. He was so grateful to feel the warmth of the sun.

Daddy trusted in the Lord as a teenager, but he told me that when he was in battle, he promised the Lord if he lived, he would live for Jesus - and he did. I treasure the memory of our family gathering at bedtime for Bible reading and prayer.

Psalm 130:6-7 "My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness and with Him is abundant redemption."

God's Word

I once heard a story about a family gathered around the bed of their dying grandfather. The elderly man began to recite the twenty-third psalm. His family members shed tears as he recalled those precious words: The Lord is my Shepherd..
Later one of the young children asked his mother, "When I memorized that Psalm, you all clapped and smiled, but when grandpa quoted it, you cried. Why?"
"When we are very young, we know the Psalm, but when we are older, we know the Shepherd."

Wisdom

One of the greatest blessings of God on a nation is that He bless it with wise leadership. We are commanded to pray for our leaders, and this is one of the most important prayers we can pray at this time. We are not told to pray for the great leaders, or even the good ones, or ones we agree with, but the ones we have.  

I read about a group of people who are committed to pray for our leaders and for the coming mid-term elections every day. I pray for God's guidance for President Trump in the many decisions he must make daily. I pray that he will be surrounded by wise people like Joseph and Daniel of old.

Shine

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn 

that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 

Proverbs 4:18

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the helpless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world

Chris Rice

https://youtu.be/DtIIFJIxdUw?t=23

Old Fashioned Georgia Tea Cakes

I saw this recipe in a cookbook and recalled stopping by Grandmother's house as I was walking home from school. I pictured her in her sunny kitchen serving me tea cakes warm from the oven.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 to 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

Mix sugar, butter, vanilla, egg, and milk.
Stir in enough flour to make a stiff dough.
Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
Center should be soft when cooled.

Frosty Mornings are Here

October Blue Sky

Bright Orange Pumpkins

Decorating Fun

It is an exciting time of year, not too cold in the afternoon sun, but cool enough to have to turn on the heat at night.

Opening the curtains to the morning light

Out in the yard I spy

The bright orange leaves of Autumn

Against a brilliant sky.

Rays of sun caress my face,

Like fingers of a loving hand.

A tiny bird is trilling her praise

Like a piccolo in Heaven's band.

Leaves scurry along the walk

In the cool refreshing breeze.

God whispers how much He cares

Just to put my mind at ease.

Karen Rice

You are God's favorite!

When my grandkids were younger they would draw pictures and then ask me, "Whose drawing do you like the best?" I would answer, "They are both my favorites."

Isn't it amazing to think that God loves us all the same.

"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part,  but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others."
A.W. Tozer

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

COLOR!

 Some of my favorite photos from previous years
that were especially colorful in southern Indiana.

Feels Like October

Now that our morning temperatures are in the 30's, I think we will see a lot more fall color in the next two weeks.

I had to put on a jacket for my morning walk yesterday, after temps in the 90's earlier this week.

I was so thankful to see Pastor Andrew Brunson released from Turkey and heading home to North Carolina.

Stopping for One

Our church was involved in ministry to nursing homes and a group of us would go and visit in their rooms and invite people to the cafeteria for singing, sharing, praying for each other's needs, and a short Bible study.

On one Sunday afternoon, a young college student offered to come with us and bring his guitar and lead the group in familiar hymns. When we were assembled and ready to sing, there was no guitar player in sight. So we began to sing Amazing Grace acapella. Just as we finished, 'There's no less days to sing God's grace than when we'd first begun', the young man joined us.

He had gone into a patient's room to invite the woman and found that she was too sick to be moved. He listened and then asked if he could pray for her. He felt led to pray for the peace of God to surround her and comfort her.

With tears streaming, the patient told him she had prayed all day that God would send someone to visit her and that he would pray for her.

It reminded me of all the times Jesus would stop to bless one person, and He still cares for each of us today.

Wheelbarrow Ride

On Fall days long ago, Daddy would work hard in the yard all Saturday morning. We kids would pick up twigs and rake leaves and put them in a wheelbarrow and take them to the brush heap at the back of the lot. Then we would beg him to put us in the wheelbarrow and push us back up the hill. Tired and sweaty as he was, I remember him chuckling as he would run up the hill with one of his children bouncing in the wheelbarrow.

The Lord's joy is in those who reverence Him.

those who expect Him to be loving and kind.

Psalm 147:11 

A Friend Beyond Compare

No one understands like Jesus

He's a friend beyond compare

Meet Him at the throne of mercy

He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus

Cast you every care on Him.

John W. Peterson

Praying for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

All Who Are Thirsty

For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; 

I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants;

Isaiah 44:3

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; 

John 7:37-39

Happy October

Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Psalm 90:14

Kaedyn's first October, 2009

My daughter says she will bring lots of photos of Kaedyn and all her scrapbooking materials and let Kaedyn and me finish her scrapbook. Her two big sisters have one, but her Mom has been working full time and busy with three and hasn't had time to finish one for Kaedyn. That will be such fun!