Friday's Fave Five

 

It's Friday and another week has gone by. Some weeks are full of activity. Others are quiet and relaxing. Some weeks, I need to dig deep for my blessings, even though they're all around me. This week might be one of those weeks. Before I begin, if I can ask that you all keep me and my area in prayer. I was awakened at 12:30 this morning with a 'blue alert' on my phone. A blue alert is issued when a police officer has been killed and the suspect poses a threat to the immediate area. Last night, a county deputy was killed, and his partner injured during a traffic stop not many miles from me. The suspect is at large and as I understand it, all county schools are closed today. Please pray for safety of all concerned, for the deputies' families and that this man will be found quickly. 

1. Our law enforcement: It's upmost on my mind right now just how much a blessing these brave men and women are to put their lives on the line for our protection. Last night's tragedy was a traffic stop. How quickly things can escalate. I'm thankful for those in law enforcement and all first responders - paramedics, firemen. Thank you!

2. Coffee on a sleepy morning: I'm thankful for that first cup of coffee in the morning. I do my devotions or Bible study while I sip my coffee with flavored creamer and can sort of ease into my day. 

I can certainly survive the day if I don't have it, but it sure makes a pleasant beginning to the day.

3. Weight Watchers: Yesterday I re-signed with Weight Watchers. Their special - $11.00 a month for 12 months made it a good value and I really need structure. Health issues are plaguing me, most because of excess weight and poor nutrition. 

4. A new Bible study: Tuesday, I began a new Bible study called "Tis Well" from Daily Grace Co . It's about anxiety of which I do identify. My mother was an anxious person and I learned from her well. So far, the study is so good, and I was able to use what I learned when I received that 'blue alert' early this morning and lay in bed praying.

5. Granddaughter in England: One of my granddaughters is temporarily living in England and I see lots of photos she posts on Instagram. She is part of a mission connected with Calvary Chapel. I don't know much of what she is doing right now but it includes Bible studies and casual get-togethers with other young people. I see photos of a large commercial kitchen, a small room with mops and buckets so I'm guessing she's keeping busy! I also see lots of photos of beautiful countryside and trips to London for a "coffee run." 

We have been having lovely weather. No rain, day temps in the 60s and I'm loving it. This weekend, the rain is returning and with it a cold front. This week, it's spring. Next week, back to winter!" Around here, if you don't like the weather, just wait a bit and it will change. Everyone have a blessed weekend.

P.S. Almost forgot to give credit where credit is due! This opportunity is the work of Living to Tell the Story. Come join us! Thanks, Susanne!

Mourning and dancing

 This week has been a time for emotions on both ends of the spectrum. I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:4

"A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance."

I experienced both of these in the space of a week.

On November 1st, I received an unpleasant phone call from one of my sisters. My cousin Vicki had unexpectantly died in her sleep. It took me hours to process this. To give you a quick backstory. . . my mother and birth father divorced when I was just a toddler. My stepfather raised me. He was the one I called 'Daddy' and he eventually legally adopted me. Meanwhile, for reasons to long to explain, my birth father bowed out of my life. Except for what my mother told me, I knew nothing about him. However, when I was pregnant with my youngest child, I received a phone call that changed my life. My birth father, Bill Black was on the phone. He had been able to trace me down. From there it was like putting puzzle pieces together. I had a whole new family! I had three half-sisters, two of which I've been able to be with face to face. I also gained lots of cousins. Two of these cousins I had been able to vacation with and became very close to. One was Vicki.

Vicki in the last few years had battled a blood cancer of which she was in remission thanks to her sister Kay donating some of her bone marrow. We all rejoiced at this miracle from God and she and her husband Randy had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary not too long ago - an occasional that was not expected to happen. Vicki was always smiling, so very caring and loving, generous, and always had something to say on Face Book. I know little of what happened, except the night before she died, she fell, hitting her head. All seemed fine but in the morning, she was gone. 

My heart hurts that I'll never get to see her again, this woman so full of life. And so, I mourn.

Vicky (left) and her sister Kay (right) at Cracker Barrel. We were about to take off - the three of us to a time share condo near Disney World.

Then just yesterday, after suffering a loss, I gained a precious new member of the family. My grandson Josiah married his sweet lady, Hannah in a small, intimate ceremony. Both are active in their church and never could I have picked a sweeter lady for my grandson than this one!

There are those times in life when we weep - for loved ones taken from us, for missed opportunities, for sadness. But God in His infinite goodness and grace gives us those times when we dance - in celebration of new life, of new couples, of the joys that life can give us.

Today, as I sat next to my family in church, I rejoiced for the blessings I have. No doubt there will be times when I'll weep again but in the midst of sorrow, I remember my Father who has abundantly blessed my life.

Have a blessed rest of the day.

Book Review - "A Case for Heaven"

 

Here you go! My first book review at least for this blog's reincarnation. It comes with a disclaimer though. I detested book reports when I was in school and don't remember getting very good grades for them. But I'm willing here to try.

I've read other of Mr. Strobel's books - one being "A Case for Christ." Lee was a confirmed atheist who set out to discredit Christianity and its claims. After an ER visit where his doctor told him he almost died, he began to look closer at what the Bible claims. As a result, he gave his heart t the Lord. Now he investigates belief systems and arguments that would try to discredit what scripture claims. Per Google, Lee has 40 books in print - with The Case for Christ, The Case for Miracles, The Case for Faith being just a few. In A Case for Heaven, the author interviews theologians, philosophers, neurosurgeons and one famous evangelist Luis Palau who at that time was suffering with terminal lung cancer.

Topics such as the human soul, consciousness after death, what the Bible tells us about Heaven, about hell. What will Heaven be like? What will hell be like? Do our pets go to Heaven? Can we really believe reports of NDEs (near death experiences)? Is Reincarnation true? What on earth is Annihilationism. How can a God be loving when He allows individuals to suffer torment for all eternity?  The topics discussed are too much in depth for me to even trying commenting on. And to be truthful, a couple chapters went over my head! What I was impressed with was that each person interviewed had Biblical backing. Speculation was put aside, and answers were found in scripture. 

I've always had a fascination about Heaven. It increased even more when I as a nurse at a hospice house. I encountered many different views about dying and the afterlife. I worked with one nurse's aide who would open the window of the room where a patient had recently died 'to let the spirit out.'  I witnessed those patients, who were not saved, and in the throes of dying. They were agitated, sometimes combative, clawing at the air, even in a comatose state. I would medicate them for pain and agitation, but it was heartbreaking to watch. Those gathered at the bedside had no comfort to give. Others who I knew to be believers, would sometimes be surrounded by family and friends singing hymns. They were calm and seemed to be at peace. I remember one sweet lady whose eyes suddenly opened, and she smiled. She then sighed and took her last breath. 

A Case for Heaven gave me hope and a glimpse of where I will spend eternity. It also grieved me to think of people I knew who were headed, not to a place of unbelievable beauty but a horrible place of torment. 

To me, the chapter that impacted me the most was Strobel's interview with Luis Palau, an evangelist who had been called "the Billy Graham of Latin America". Luis, at the time of the interview, was dying from Stage 4 lung cancer. He had undergone chemotherapy which had prolonged his life to an extent, but he knew his end on earth was near. He shared that he was not fearful of death, that his view of heaven had not be changed, but enhanced. Here was a man who faced death without fear and Heaven with great anticipation.  My favorite quote almost made me chuckle. When asked by Strobel, tongue in cheek, if it were possible to send a message back to the unsaved on earth . . . . . .

"What message would you send to them from heaven?

Palau didn't mince words. "I'd tell them, 'Don't be stupid!"

We both burst out laughing. "Seriously?" I said. "That's it?

"Sure - don't be stupid! Don't pass up what God is offering out of His love and grace. Why embrace evil when goodness beckons? Why turn your back on heaven and choose hell? Why expose yourself to the harmful side effects of a sinful life when you can follow God's path of righteousness and healing? Don't miss the party that God has waiting for you in Heaven!"

I'm going to copy that down as a cheat sheet when I can't think of anything better to saw to a lost soul.