Meals together ....family....fellowship....

Meals and fellowship...through the years....

When I was growing up, we went to my grandparent's house every Sunday after church for dinner...we got together as an extended family for everyone's birthday....we all brought food of some kind....I remember one of my grandmothers always made homemade angel food cake with berry whip....mmmmmmgood....

The other grandmother fixed ham dinners...

We got together for holidays, not just thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, but Memorial day,  Veterans Day , Labor Day, the Fourth of July,  new years day. as well.

Then i went away to college, got married and the special days changed.  For awhile, we did get together with my husband's parents for Sunday meals..then we moved to a new city, and state to make our way in a new life.    I think missing those family get togethers was one of my biggest adjustments....I missed those close times, family times....

As our children came along, we had other families over for meals, Sundays  and other times. We visited our families over the years for special holidays

now I see my children hosting  people to their homes for meals, gathering together with others..

Fellowship....so important in our lives...in various forms....it binds people together, eating .....talking....laughing....remembering....traditions.....special foods...special places.   ....celebrating...living.....holding pieces of time...special memories....love....for one another....

in the Bible, down through the ages, it is recorded that  there feasts, festivals  for celebrations for many purposes ....they got together in "joy and celebration"

 Abraham, Isaac, Labon, David, Solomon ,

Esther 9:22

as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Job 1:4

His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Ecclesiastes 10:19a

A feast is made for laughter,....

Luke 14:15

[ The Parable of the Great Banquet ] When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 15:23

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

The last supper, the wedding feast....all part of our lives.    

Thank you for preparing a table before us...thank you for celebrations, families who share fellowship....with one another....over the years....love....care...

Sorting again....

Cleaning...sorting....again....

The summer has all most gone.....half of June was spent sorting through my husband's things ...I  knew this spring that I was to leave July blank, open...I didn't know why , just knew...then God filled it just like He filled three years ago with my mother. I had saved August to help her recover from a surgery...instead she died three years ago today.  So instead of helping my mother recover, I helped my father recover as well as myself from her sudden departure.....we sorted, rearranged, cooked meals for the freezer, planned some events-85th birthday, talked , reminisced ...cried....laughed...

Now three years later I am going through his things...reminiscing, crying ...chuckling...we keep the oddest of things......I was thankful my dad didn't have as much storage space as my husband did...but still a chore....and when my children go through the things I kept , they will reminisce, cry, laugh also....

I read a book and  the quote--"she had avoided this room on purpose,,because changing this room, cleaning it, meant ----? -----was really gone....

Her heart broke in a million pieces standing there. Right now, she was tired of being strong, weary of being brave, and drained by having so much wrenched out of her life....

'Come unto me, all who are weary, and find rest for your soul....'

She could do this...it was time..."

This was fitting...for these last three years....but God was there all the time...thank you

Psalm 27. Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me

    to devour[a] me,

it is my enemies and my foes

    who will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,

    my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble

    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted

    above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

    be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,

    do not turn your servant away in anger;

    you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

    God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,

    the Lord will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, Lord;

    lead me in a straight path

    because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

    for false witnesses rise up against me,

    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.

Homes....

Homes......

I realized that I have lived i six homes in the last 2 years.   They were all residences and I tried  to make each a home...by activities, family and attitude...each had a part of the cancer process and changes in our lives....but each so needed and a part of our lives....each gave us a place to lay our heads, rest, visit, care....

I read  an article recently..."the symptoms of inner peace"

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.

2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

3. A loss of interest in conflict 

4. A loss of ability to worry---this a very serious symptom 

5. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation

6. Contented feelings of connectedness with others, nature and God

7. Frequent attacks of smiling

8. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen

9. An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it...

I have no idea who wrote it or what but....I want that...that feeling of overwhelming contentedness with each moment, not worrying but extending that peace to myself and  others who happen to be around me...

That no matter how many houses I live in, what the circumstances, the inner peace of God would permeate the atmosphere....surrounding ....encompassing ...sheltering ...enfolding...protecting....loving.....

Thank you for a vision to strive toward....for I am a long way from it....

 Proverbs 31:25She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Philippians 4:11

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:8

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Inheritance......

Inheritance......

I have started going through my father's papers....papers dating back to the 1940's...I chuckled as I started  watching the dates, Thanking God that my dad didn't have the amount of storage space my husband did. Only two file cabinets plus boxes instead of rooms of them...that would have been overwhelming again this year....

But I wondered as Rachel and Leah did...

Genesis 31:14

Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s 

Estate?

They didn't have paper trails, file folders, written wishes, advisors, lawyers, accountants ,computer websites to navigate,  the government to wade through, taxes on every detail, certificates, deeds,  etc., etc, etc...and my fathers estate is small...

I am not trying to find if I have any share, I am just trying to wade through it to make sure I do it right and that his wishes are carried out...he had a lot of notes...stories about various items, ....."monuments" in his life.  , a letter to the police officer about his first ticket, a wedding invitation-60 years old..., pictures...college papers....all on yellowed delicate papers...

The things we value.....will they be valued by the succeeding generations....the only thing eternal, valuable is God's word, His teaching, character...as we came into the world naked and go out the same way...no suitcases....we pay forward by investing in our families and InThe kingdom of God.....even the government can't take that away....

I feel like Joshua when he was commissioned to lead the people across to the promised land.   He was essentially the executor of the estate , the promised land, to make the divisions that God  had already planned .... He made the assignments and carried out the directions .

 Deuteronomy 3:28

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Proverbs 13:22

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Proverbs 19:14a

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,....

Proverbs 28:10b

..... but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Ecclesiastes 7:11

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.

Through all of this, it still sifts down to the bottom line..of this portion......

Psalm 16:5-7

5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;

    you make my lot secure.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

    even at night my heart instructs me.

 Lord, you have told us to give thanks at all times....so I thank you for the yellowed papers, the college notes...the memories....the inheritance of good people...help me to be wise executor...of land.. Of history...of family   In all that I do, remembering that these are just things ,,,stuff...You are the real Portion....the real Inheritance.....

Dear dad, .......

Dear dad, 

Here we are assembled in remembrance of you..

 this a tall order....

My first picture of you is working In the dairy barn in Beatrice, lining up the cows, readying for milking....I was just barely walking, bundled up from the cold.  There is no photo of this, but I remember it still...then on through life, teaching me to ride horses before I could ride a bicycle as we lived on various ranches throughout California ....gatherings cattle, raising our own food , whether meat or gardens.   You were diligent in taking care of your family. Your work ethic was sure....

You were a teacher in bike riding , tractors and finally a car...always positive, never panicking .. A chaperon for high school dances, a foot ball fan,  a study partner at test times....

You made sure we were in church no matter where we lived.....there was no question of that....

Whistling , always with a tune on your lips, a story to tell, making friends in every part of your life, encouraging those around you with your postiveness.....

Loving your parents, brothers,,...Loving your wife, my mother, loving me, your daughter... Later, loving my husband  as he entered the picture.....

When grandchildren came along, you embraced each of them, cuddling them, sharing with them,  traveling with them...watching them grow ,  teaching them to care for others as well    As the land on which they lived...your stories, whistling continued to resound in all parts of their lives as well....

  

Again later still, you welcomed your great grandchildren, entering into their lives with your stories , their interests....friendliness, love, hugs, care abounded...

Your last words, your gentleness, sound through time,,,...."I love you, take care,,,,get some rest..."  And then we did...in our separate connected ways.....

Thank you , God, for being my Father, and giving me an earthly father , a man of integrity, kindness, love, caring...laughter, music , a teacher of people all of his days...a gentleman In his words and actions....

Deuteronomy 5:16

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 11:19

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 32:7

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

1 Samuel 12:23b

........And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Psalm 34:11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Instructions, instructions.....

Instructions, instructions......

I have instructions on how to use my camera, my vacuum, the microwave....for everything in my house with some kind of motor,  how to  use my medicines,  my face cream....how to clean my clothes, how to grieve, how to live, how to use my iPad,  how to sit properly, which clothes to travel with, the proper etiquette for various functions and if I don't have the instructions for for something, I can go to the web and find them....so much information on how to......then there is the trouble shooting section of every manual...the "if, thens" of every how to....and finally, if these don't work.....call 1-800-------- where you will eventually get someone helpful or new to the job and asks you to hold, listening to music.....

Can you imagine Noah, who had never seen rain, getting instructions to build a huge boat to hold animals , some of which he probably had never seen, gather the right foods, wood, all the while his neighbors were making fun of his construction project....but he believed God...

Or Moses going back and forth to the pharaoh each time with a new plague asking that the pharaoh let the Israelites go....

Or building a tabernacle in the wilderness, with the exact measurements, even listing the right people to do the various jobs...and providing beforehand all the right materials to do it....

Then the commandments and the laws on how to live ....

The songs of praise on how to worship ......and why....

The Old  and New Testament instructions on how love and whom....how to live...how to have eternal life...

There are even those troubleshooting instructions....be prepared to suffer as Christians...no guaranteed bed of roses, ...but guaranteed Life.....with Christ as Saviour....

follow those instructions....

Psalm 119:9How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

    By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

    that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount

    all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes

    as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts

    and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;

    I will not neglect your word.

Genesis 26:5

....because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.”

Exodus 18:20

Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.

Psalm 16:7

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

 Isaiah 28:26

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.

1 Thessalonians 4:1

[ Living to Please God ] As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

Thunder....

Thunder......

I am tired to the bone and "my" list is long today......will have to see what is important and what is urgent....what will really get done....

The thunder rolled all night last night.   Was so loud many times that it woke me from a deep sleep.  As a child, my mother would say that is was the "potato" wagon rolling across the wooden bridge..or the goats running back and forth, playing, ever playing on the bridge....

I guess it always reminded me that God can speak in a loud voice to be heard by all the earth...that He keeps his promises.....

This first time the Bible record thunder is when Moses is talking back and forth with the Pharaoh in Egypt....

Exodus 9:23

When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt;

Exodus 9:28

Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”

Had they not had thunder and lightning before....it doesn't say.....

Then the next time it is recorded is when the Israelites are in the wilderness and  god is giving the Ten Commandments.....

Exodus 20:17-19

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

2 Samuel 22:14

The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.

Job seem to speak the most of thunder and God's voice and power....

Job 26:14

And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job 28:26

when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,

Job 36:29

Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

Job 37:4

After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

Job 37:5

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

The book of Psalm has several reference to thunder...Isaiah, Jeremiah ,Joel ....Zechariah 

Zechariah 10:1

[ The Lord Will Care for Judah ] Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

When God seem to use thunder to show judgement, power, care....

And finally...

In Revelation..... a comparison.....a great multitude of praise....the best kind of thunder ....the Hallelujah chorus....what a wonder that will be...the "lists" of today won't matter at all...... 

Revelation 19:6

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.