It's all about God, Friends, and Family...

Proverbs 18:24

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother".

Proverbs 18:24

In the past year I have been fortunate enough to be a part of several celebrations of God, Family and Friends.  Two of particular note was a reunion with many former classmates.. Those special folks who made a memory

for me for life and rekindled the

love and caring of many years gone by.

As I shared with my group:

"My vision is of a lilac world

held in trust for me by friends who know

not that they are friends...

and those whom I've held only once.

I'd let them know but how...

I'd fit them in but when...

Still no ones need is that of being fitted in.

Each man demands his full round share of time...

but on those few who found time to fit me in...

schedule me somehow in their crowded lives..

I remember almost daily.

At night each returns

every bit as real as 

lilac smells on April days.

Another wonderful celebration was the 50th birthday party given by my brother

for his loving wife.  So many took the time on a Saturday afternoon to come together for great food, fellowship and to show their caring for a special person.

I don't know how I could have a friend closer than my brothers, but the same qualities are overlapping.  My sister in law and I didn't just discover the value of loving and caring people, but we were certainly reminded of what many times may be taken for granted:  Show ourselves friendly....and extend the kindly ways to those have become so important in our lives.  Whether from a distance or daily interaction;  whether from times of tears or laughter; whether good health or disease reside: the masterfile of memories have been burned indelibly in our minds...

We find courage and hope to begin each day...

and the satisfaction of a setting sun.

\

Lord,
  Thank you for loving friends.
  Thank you that so many times we read books and think of them.
So many times we think of old times and think of them.
So many times we fail and we think of words said that pick us up.
So many times we hold to what we did and where we stood.....
       together.
  We can weather
       many more storms
whence
       we think
of those who care.
       and look forward to seeing...each... again.

One....so special

And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]. Colossians 3: 14

• picture / Betsy Moore

The tingle that comes with a special caring

does not decrease with age or distance.

The mystery of it all somehow fills the spirit

even on a moment's notice.

The romance

within

Leads one to send

words to touch the heart...those that

compel...even when life is on the mend

To have touched and held

is such a memory so dear...

To have opened up

Without fear

of being discovered...or misunderstood.

Would

that every day serve

us well

To remember special people...

special caring

And all that comes when at last we tell...

of the mystery and magic of it all. 

Life's Changes...

 

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another, and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it."

      James Matthew Barrie

Sun up in Canada - picture by Dexter Strickland

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

    Proverbs 16:9

The story of our lives are written daily, documented on paper or in memory, as we move through valleys and mountains, lows and highs, and the monotony of many tasks which we never considered in our youthful idealism.  Indeed it is the rare exception who mapped it, lives it, and will find a final experience of ....Yes!  Most of us see changes all along the way and do experience the humbling experience of changes in direction, worldly expectations, and sometimes shattered dreams.

O but our God does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.  He has promised to be with us even until the end of the age and we can be assured of His presence in the highs and lows and His satisfaction when we call on Him through His Son to direct our path and abide in our hearts.  The old saying is true "when God closes the door, don't try to come in through the window."  God doesn't lay out his Will all at one time for us.  He gives it to us daily as we move forward in confidence of His presence and promise.
Our concern must be to stand still many times and listen with our hearts for His leading.
God uses many ways to speak to us.  It may be through a Scripture Verse, one with special insight, a very caring friend, our Church family, touching our hearts in prayer, an equipping Pastor, and many others.  It is our responsibility to act on opportunity and (in the words of Charles Swindoll)"... move forward and pray like mad."

"Thank God that our salvation is not based on our changing emotions, but on His Unchanging Word...."
     Insight for Living: Chuck Swindoll

Knowing...In Whom we Trust !

http://www.snagtube.com/watch-video/diamond-rio-in-god-we-still-trust-music-video/661772

How exactly do we define Freedom?

 From one humble idea...

"FREEDOM"

The tolerant priviledge granted by God to choose or to reject His Son.

The intangible but heart felt right granted by man to man to speak

his mind and to move about on his own prerogative.

The immeasurable right to worship in

openness and to cultivate the lifestyle of his choice within

governed boundaries set by a majority. God himself laid the foundation

 with His own Law under theocratic rule and His democratic

spirit at the request of man...

but not beyond His Will.

"FLAG'S WAVE"

 

Tied to an absolute,

the flag's loose string

blows in the wind.

In the wind…it sings

 an olden song of freedom.

At the same time it blows…

it shows

us all the symbol of courage.

It testifies to control.

The absolutes and

standards

for which our flag stands

lie

tied to the pole…

and buried within each American Soul.

The wind blows

and throws

the colors to the wind.

It sends

a message of loyalty

to a cause ...FREEDOM !
from without to within.

GJRoberts/July 2010