Barbecue Delight

I am often invited to share in fellowship with others and often as their guest. I feel so honored and blessed each time I’m invited to share in fellowship.

I’m often in awe with the teachings of Jesus. (See below his teaching from Luke) And, never more so than being a guest of others. Just recently I was a luncheon guest in a garage with this hugh delicious barbecue sandwich! One of my favorite meals.

I met and greeted a number of people of various ages, cultures, races, status in society. The conversations I was priviledge to be a part of just might have been found in our study scripture below.

Shawn’s Barbecue Warrenton Va

“Then he (Jesus) turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.14.12-13.NLT

I thought of this teaching of Jesus and begin to meditate on the beauty of the Words given by Jesus whenever He spoke.

I must say when I’m invited as a guest more often than not I’m the one that blesses the host with their grand reward.

Why one might ask, not rich! Not a “Harvard” graduate! Not a rich political person! Not a movie star! Not Not!

Much like Jesus the least among you. Read the full chapter of Luke 14 and meditate on Jesus’ words and actions.

And, focus a few moments on this truth. “

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.14.10-11.NLT

Don’t be offended when ones that call you family or friend have no place at their social table for you!

Jesus welcomes you today to sit with Him! You are loved! You are highly honored! You are greatly blessed! Invite Him to fellowship with you. He stands ready! Rev 3:20

Two Gates

Wide or Narrow

The Narrow and Wide Gates Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 NLV

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

The Narrow Way 7:13-14 NKJ

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Being a Granma for me has opened my mind to think, really think just how to think?

Each day awakens the reality of realistic thoughts, prayers and conversations to making sure as much as possible within my God Given ability to remind myself of these words, “You can enter…WOW! Share with others including my little one, You can enter God’s Kingdom…and just try and imagine the daily joys we will find there when we look for them!

A closed locked mind is like a closed locked gate!

See All The People…

A little church in Eastern NC from a local artist’s eye and pen, E Nunes

James 1:22-25 KJV

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

As a child did you learn a little story hand/finger exercise that went like this, “here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door and see all the people!

When I ride by little churches in the beautiful countryside I notice many not used except for historical interest and I often wonder, where are all the people?

Do you ever question your thoughts, actions and motives in the light of deceiving yourself by not doing what you heard from the Word of God, called the Bible? (James 1 vs 22)

And, hopefully you passed the test and then stood boldly with hands outreached to receive your blessings for deeds done! (James 1 vs 25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smtucwvzuCc

What’s wrong with this photo?

Let’s Play

What’s wrong with this set-up? I’ve played checkers for many years just not recently. Well, not for a few years. I have the board and all the pieces. I’ve set them up and ready to play with my granddaughter! Well, not really! What have I forgotten?

Christians often use the term, “you must be born again.” (John 3:1-21) This scripture communication between Jesus and a man name Nicodemus seem to say the first birth is not enough. We not only have to be born, but also remade. The remaking of the soul, refreshing of the eye, ear tuning and mind renewing is the return to simplicity. Maybe the learning once again of a childhood game?

He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-5

Isn’t relearning and refreshing sweetness to the soul? What’s wrong with my photo? Help?

A story I heard

I heard a story today about an 82 year old man going through a Drive through for his lunch. A young lady in car behind him thought old man was slow and starting beeping horn and mouthing what he thought to be not very nice words!

He thought I will pay forward for her meal and he did. As he waited his turn second window to pick up his meal she approached first window and learned about the kindness she had been shown by a free meal. He saw her mouthing, thank you, thank you.

He approached the second window and handed the guy 2 receipts and received both orders. He drove away.

He thought girl best way to learn patience go back through busy line, pay for your lunch and be kind to an older person.

Sunflower of Many Blooms

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ (full chapter is very insightful)

I have been watching my sunflower show it’s offsprings day after day as the sun beams upon each tightly held bud. People walk and ride by stop to chat and ask how this could be? They take photos and chat to one another from their cars as if I’m not sitting on my porch and watching.

In some ways it’s a mystery to many of us that has only seen a sunflower with a single bloom or maybe 2 or 3 blooms. We might think this belongs to all of us and not just her, the lady in the rocker on her porch.

The Bees, I think, feel the same. They are in their comfort zone and they don’t move or very seldom when I dance around with my iPhone in hand.

I began to think what lessons might we learn in watching something a little different than what we are accustom to. As I listened, asked questions, and googled just as any curious person might do I didn’t get an clues. I was very interested in this family of sunflowers from one seed all connected.

Then I realized that I was struggling with a FB post I had just read by a Christian father and writer. He had posted a photo of his Christian college age daughters dressed in short styles with boots strolling through the street. We only saw their backs. Needless to say he got many compliments on their beauty and a few that didn’t find it appropriate for Christian girls.

Here’s where I got confused he had a lot to say about those negative people, “Pharisees”. Don’t they know that “his girls” live in the world and we don’t live by a set of rules as the “Pharisees”. I don’t know but it seem to me he was all over the place but nice and open for comments he said.

Our Father, a set of rules, live in the world …

“… But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I, like this eartly father of these girls, invite you to join in and help with understanding rules, living in this world and being like the culture to be accepted. How does this scripture connect? How do we communicate with others at times like this?

He had posted a photo on his page that gave OP for others to like, comment etc. Maybe the rule works if you can’t say something good keep your finger in your pocket? If you don’t like how his family dresses and handles the college culture don’t buy his books which seems to be stories about his family and how he sees living.

How does it work in our daily lives that the people of this world don’t recognize we are God’s children if we know God as Father and they don’t? How does my family of sunflowers bloom so beautifully from one root and excite the bees, me and others that see with glee. And, yet maybe some might think that my bee gathering place might cause a bee sting?

Pull up a chair, bring a cool drink and invite a friend as we explore the mysteries of God’s Word and World!

A Tree still standing…

Recently we were traveling through a southern historic town a bit tired from the days activities. The sites were interesting to me with homes that spoke of years gone by. Landscape of old and new tress and foliage that spoke words I could understand clearly from having viewed these over the years. “Enjoy the green lush views for soon I will be yellow, orange and brown while falling to the ground.”

“Behold, my beauty”, spoke the undressed tree that had no foliage to offer me now or leaves that even had a potential of falling to the grown while causing minds to ignite with words of wonder as Autumn seems about to approach.

“Yes, I replied”, while asking my husband to pull off the road and pause for me to take a photo of this tree standing tall and stately in my mind and view.

I don’t know the history or future of this tree that caught my attention. I know it’s standing and nodded for me to acknowledge it.

I pondered over the night in my waking moments. “Acknowledge me…” I begin to recall words that have great healing components when we move into the action of “Acknowledge”. WOW! Let us “Acknowledge” together;

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
—Psalm 100:3 (NLT)

I’m standing

Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. ..” Exodus 14:13

A Thoughtful Thought

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Mark 10:35-38 (NRSV)