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Lament

 
Matthew 27:46, the lamentation of Jesus. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 
 
I believe these words speak clearly to us when we are broken to the point of losing our minds in grief, from a loss, and suffering beyond what we feel is humanly possible; lamenting. Humanity is God's. He loves us in that he came to us in Jesus to save us from ourselves through the sin of Satan's temptation. He gives us, leaves with us a guide, the Holy Spirit. We are never alone, separated from God. He IS the One who can comfort, guide, and is our true connection to hope eternal through redeeming grace.
 
Love 1
 
Hosanna_Tom_DuBoise
 
 
Nail Scarred Hande

Nail Scarred Hande
 
Love 1
 
Heavenly Trinity by Phyllise
 
Salvation Map by Phyllise
 

Easter

 

We have a nice collection of about 300 or so hats. I used to give programs about hats. I often wear a hat to keep the sun off of my face. I remember women wearing hats to events and church on Sunday; hose too, for that matter! There are still many who finish their attire with a hat today. Milliners are artists in their own right. 

Then, I am reminded in this photo of  (B) Lorena Etter, Aunt Mary Lou Etter, and (F) Virginia Etter and why I am thankful that I lived in the missed hat generation.

They are ready to attend Easter services at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Plainview, Texas, circa the 1940s.

 

Lorene Etter  Mary Lou Etter  Virginia Etter Easter circa 1940s

 


Hypocrites

 

I will build My Church. Matthew 16:18

I want to write about hypocrites. I hear so many say that they do not go to church because it is full of hypocrites. Hypocrisy is the practice of engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another or the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. I will agree that hypocrisy exists. I will also contend that this would be true within a church, but not the church because the church is "the called-out ones," the assembly of Believers, all sinners with hope. The church is a concentrated collection of Followers of Christ who sin. We all fall short. We come together to worship God, who shines the light on our sins so that we might repent.

I do believe that calling out others as hypocrites is in itself hypocritical. For whatever reason, one does not attend worship with other Believers is not because of a particular hypocrite. This gives God no credit for His goodness and grace. It is because Satan throws up blame bombs that are easy targets. We can only control our own relationship with Christ. He is worthy and working. Our focus should be on our personal walk with Christ, not another's. 

When toes are stepped on, I understand that God uses others to make me aware of something. It hurts. I cannot hold my own court of eternal condemnation, though. I can and should seek what I am to learn in any given situation to improve my Father-child relationship. 

When I think about why one does not attend worship, there are many excuses, and I must admit that I have had a few of them, too, over the years. For me, my sins, my hurts, whatever my excuses have been to not be in the House of the Lord, I realize that I'm truly only hurting myself and not giving God the glory for all he has done in my life.

Of course, it only matters if we have accepted Christ, to begin with. This is where the desire to overcome begins. Going back to John 3:16 assures us.

He is worthy of my praise. We can do this anywhere and all day long, and we should. There is something about that Name that should draw us together for His listening pleasure, not because of what we think or how we feel about particular situations, but because He alone is worthy! 

This topic has been on my heart. I'm a sinner. I fail. I get back up, learn, and turn into the arms of the One who Is, Jesus Christ.

The Church ... The church consists of God's people. It is the assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. The physical buildings facilitate the fellowship, worship, and ministry of God's people, but it is not the church.

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:22–23

Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the doors, and there are HIS people. Thank you, God, for the camaraderie of the group you have led me to be a part of!

 

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Come as you are, where you are, with all your sin, suffering, hurt, and pain. Easter is here! A great place to start fresh as we grow in His Word.

 

 


Palm Sunday

My hour has not yet come

Jesus did not do random spontaneity

Jesus moved with a careful sense of calling, submission, and obedience

He followed an ancient and sovereign plan with detailed specifics

He was on a redemptive mission; the reason for his birth

Jesus did not come to be recognized but to recognize and save the lost

Matthew 20:28, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

His eyes are focused on eternity.

Hosanna . Save us!

 

Hosanna_Tom_DuBoise

 

"My hour has come."

The Great Love Story continues!!!

 

 


Clouds & Sky

 

Some of my favorite things to enjoy are clouds & the sky. I like to consider myself a cloud gazer, an explorer of the sky, where you see things that are not there and create things that are. In His Majesty, the King of Kings gave us this beautiful gift.

 

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Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. Job 35.5

Look to God, see Him in everything good and beautiful; our example to living fully. Dwelling in Him is taking the high road of life.

 


Little Bits

 

I'm very much enjoying doing little bits of the backyard, preparing for days of sitting out, reading, and enjoying nature. Because of skin cancer, I must stay protected, but that will not keep me from enjoying God's great outdoors found in our backyard!

I love color, all colors, and our cushions do have lots of colors. I have been looking for pillows. I wanted something different than what I have seen so far. I'm pretty eclectic in my design. I was in It's a Girl Thing, found in Downtown Plainview, looking around today. Since I had not found anything, I thought, why not make them. I found cute dish towels, and Johnny was scarves.

I love the mix of florals, animals, and umbrellas!!! I feel happy!

 

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Why, Oh Why?

 

Why, oh why did we get the squirrels that enjoy "heat" on their meal?

A friend told me that Cayenne Pepper keeps squirrels from entering your yard. I have a gallon! These squirrels don't care. They welcome me every morning on the rock; Cayenne Pepper sprinkled rock!

 

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I'm pretty sure it is telling me that Cayenne Pepper is really good on these!

 

 


Diligent

 

The word diligent typically means to be serious about one's work and to be determined to complete the task. Many people go through life working in this way. Day in and day out, they go to a job to make money and dislike every moment of the day. I want to suggest that being diligent is also connected with one's emotions, good or bad. If our work is done in a way that shows it is highly favored through the Weaver of Life, then we can certainly be available to experience delight in it. Our "mundane" day can bring us joy. We can't separate our emotions from what we face each day. What we can do is choose how we approach our work. We really can find meaning and purpose in our job. It is a choice. In Proverbs 21:5, we read, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." We need to slow down and let God show us what he wants us to see where we are. Let's be diligent in the task God has for us. When we think we are miserable, it may just be that our heart is simply not listening to the blessings waymaker!

 

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Encouragers

 

I once had a friend explain her culture by referencing the "crabs in the bucket mentality." I had never heard of this at the time. Since I heard of the story, I have become keenly aware that this sad phenomenon does indeed exist.

Learn about it here and ways to overcome it.

 

 

We are the sum of the five people we surround ourselves with. We often can't change those trying to pull us under, but we can unpack our survival skills. Mine happens to start and end with my faith. It allows me to have my best friend, Jesus, who gave me an advocate, the Spirit of Truth, who walks with me and talks with me.

 If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—  the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14:15-21 

It is good to bear one another's burdens. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

It is also very good to share another's joy and success. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This is God's directive for everyone. If he sets this in place, we certainly do not want to be the ones to break the goodness, the success of another. Yes, there are "circumstances," but this is another lesson. Today, I am seeking encouraging spirits to be mentors to others. 

 

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The botanical name of the genus Narcissus is often said to derive from the classical tale of Narcissus, who was blessed with eternal beauty. ... The drooping of the daffodil symbolizes the image of Narcissus bowing his head to admire his image in the lake. They say the center of the daffodil is a cup filled with his tears.

The Daffodil is beautiful, but not alone. It must have our eyes to recognize the beauty God gave it.