MEME

No, I did not forget a space.  The word is “meme” and Merriam-Webster describes it this way:  it is an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online especially through social media.”

How would I describe myself in memes?

 I really, really do like my morning coffee. 

“Normal” is rarely used to describe me.

 I am a bit outspoken.

I have days when I am trapped between Do Not Enter and Do Not Exit.

When I saw this picture, I swore they were my two youngest grandsons.  They denied it, but I am not sure I believe them.  (No, I do not find this picture in bad taste.  My goodness it is funny!  God has a sense of humor.  After all, He created me.)  I put this picture in because I am a grandmother.  I must be prepared for anything.

A true friend

I hope this is my outlook on life.

I hope I will always hold this scripture in my heart.

I pray this is how Jesus reacts when I arrive and he shows me to my room in the mansion.

I am a mix of emotions.  Experiences.  Memories.  I have my good side.  Silly side.  I have parts of me that need worked on…big time!  I cannot be described in one word nor summed up in one meme. 

One thing is for sure – there is no one else quite like me!  (And for that all God’s children said Amen.)

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

My goodness, God does good work.  He created me and know what?  He isn’t done with me yet!!!

Question:  What memes would you use to describe yourself?

Reminder:  God created you and he does good work.  He is not done with you yet.  He has plans for you – unique plans. 

SATAN – YOU WILL NOT WIN

I love this and I have needed it this month.  Satan – Devil – whatever you call him – has sure tried to get a hold of me.  News Flash -  AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!

THE STORM

My goodness, where shall I start?  August has been and is going to continue to be a storm. 

1. 15 year old grandson had a biopsy to determine the outcome of a suspect ultrasound the 6^th – Biopsy was clear - AMEN
2. 20 year old grandson had surgery on his arm the 13^th – Surgery went good -- AMEN
3. After battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year, a very good friend had a stroke the 16th – Motor skills good and ability to speak coming back -- AMEN
4. My brother-in-law is having serious back pain issues and will find out the results of his test the 23rd
5. Our daughter is going for tests the 29th to find answers to why she has pain (and this girl has a pain threshold at like … 20)
6. ???? – I have no idea what else that sneaky snake will throw in the mix

I AM

On my own, I am at risk.  On my own, I would falter.  BUT, I am not on my own.  The prayers, of my family, my church family, friends, and people I have never met, have surrounded and supported me.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people

Ephesians 6:18

On my own, I am at risk.  On my own, I would falter.  BUT, I am not on my own.  I am a Child of God and I am strong.

God is striding ahead of me.  He’s right there with me.  He won’t let me down; he won’t leave me.  I will not be intimidated.  I will not worry.

Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Message – made personal

I AM THE STORM

Bring it on you ole sneaky snake.  You may think you will win.  YOU ARE WRONG!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD!

I am ready with truth and righteousness.

A WOMAN OF FAITH!

My faith will shield me.

A WARRIOR OF CHRIST!

My helmet of salvation will protect me and I will use the sword of the Spirit.

Bring it on, if you dare, Satan.  But be prepared, because --

I AM THE STORM!

FOCUS and RESPONSE

There is a video of a father, comedian DJ Pryor, talking to his young son, Kingston.  They are having a very deep conversation.  The father asks a question and the little guy answers.  What he answers is unknown.  The world does not have an app to translate baby chatter.  I hope they never do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY35eXTKVLY

This video became such a hit, they have made more.

Another video is about a father trying to explain why his little one cannot come outside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMR2aFyt86Q

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Often my blog will use a dialogue with God to make a point.  Usually, the dialogue came from one of my talks with God. 

Yes, I often have conversations with God.  I wonder how a video of those conversations would turn out?  Would it make people laugh?  Would it make people think?  Would they hear God answering me?  Would I really want others to watch?  To hear what I say to God?

What would I sound like?  Would a person hearing me think I was babbling?  Would they need an app to understand words I use like forgiveness, mercy, hope, faith, and grace?  Would they comprehend when I say, “All is well with my soul?”

FOCUS!!  RESPONSE!!

I hope you watched the videos because they have two things in common.  FOCUS!!  RESPONSE!!

The father is 100% focused on his child.  The child is responding to the father. 

1 JOHN 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God?

And that is what we are!

Our Heavenly Father is 100% focused on us -- HIS children.  But, do we respond to the Father?

WHY I GO TO CHURCH

Our Sunday School class discussed going to church.  It got me to thinking – exactly why do I go to church? 

Because:

• I want to
• I like the sermons
• I like the prayers
• I like taking communion
• I like the music
• I like to talk to the church members

I think that covers it.  Or  maybe not.  Last Sunday, the pastor used Psalm 107:28-32 and it helps answer the question.  Let me put those verses this way:

Then I cried out to the LORD in my trouble, and he brought me out of my distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

I was glad when it grew calm, and he guided me to my desired haven.

Let me give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for me.

Let me exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

Haven – a place of safety, a shelter, a sanctuary.  I need a haven.  A haven would be a place where I can breathe, relax, rest.  A place where I can have a feeling of trust and hope and security.  A haven needs to be a place that is solid.  A place that is there 24/7.  A place where I can be honest and open and myself.  A place where I do not have to fit in … rather a place where I am welcomed and valued.

Why do I go to church?  Well – my final haven will be heaven.  I am totally confident in that!!!  Until then, I go to church.

I want to go to church!  It is a desire deep inside me.

I want to hear a sermon!  I want to hear the Word of God preached.  I want to hear a message that makes me think and, occasionally, makes me feel uncomfortable.

I want to join others in prayer!  I want to share joys and I want to unite as a congregation to lift up those with special needs.

I want to take communion!  What an honor to be allowed to take the Bread and the Cup.  How humbling to understand Jesus died for me.

I want to hear the music!  I want to hear hymns that were written 100, 200 years ago and those that were written last week.

I want to greet and talk with people!  People who are believers.  People who are doing the best they can.  People who I trust with my deepest fears and my greatest triumphs.  People who will respect my privacy, while offering prayers on my behalf.  People who realize I will do the same for them.

I attend church because I do not want to forget how to care!

The world is going crazy and we are no longer shocked.  We read a headline and turn the page.  We hear the news and never shed a tear.  The most horrendous acts are part of the latest TV show and we calmly change the channel.  As a town, as a county, as a state, as a country, as a world…we just go on. 

I attend church because I do not want to forget how to care.

WDJS

I was sitting on the deck, snapping beans, and enjoying the world.  The birds were chirping away.  The neighborhood was noisy with the sounds of lawn mowers, kids, and cars.  And I got to thinking.  WDJS?

Do you have one of those WWJD bracelets?  Or maybe a coffee mug with WWJD, in bold letters, reminding you how to start your day?  WWJD is everywhere. 

I want something that says WDJS.

WDJS – WHAT DID JESUS SEE?

Well – Jesus saw

Ø  Satan, evil spirits, and demons

Ø  the disciples, the crowds, and the hungry

Ø  the man with leprosy, a paralytic, the blind, the lame, the dead, and the ill

Ø  the poor and the rich

Ø  the children

Ø  the Canaanite woman, the widow, the crippled lady, and the Samaritan woman

Ø  the money changers, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and a tax collector

Ø  his mother

WDJS come before WWJD

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  …  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said,...  Matthew 4:18, part 19

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.  John 9:1, 6

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.  Send the crowds away so they can get to the villages and buy themselves some food.”  Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat.”  Matthew 14:14, 15-16

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.  John 19:26-27

Jesus saw and then Jesus did.

WDIS and then WWID?   

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WHAT DO I SEE and then WHAT WILL I DO?