Blog Break: Sharing Some Pictures
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
A very long day that ended with a visit to a medical provider for a UTI and antibiotics means I must simply share some nice photos and then go to sleep quickly. I’m thankful I got my first dose by a shot to start healing faster. And I’ll know tomorrow how much the muscle will hurt since they pack the medicine in that way (have not experienced this before), but the advice was to drink lots of water and move a lot. I spent time walking on the treadmill as soon as I got home, and it eased the pain tremendously already.
Now, enjoy some beautiful rainbow images I captured with my Olympus camera some years ago. I had 4 all together, so I made a collage of 3 with the 4th as a background.
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Great Smoky Mountain Journeys
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
While growing up in the western half of the United States, I had no idea what I was missing a couple thousand miles away. Oh, that first time you see the mist begin to settle over the layers of the Appalachian mountainsโit’s a view to remember.
This particular view was during the trip when I got to meet my brother Shayne and sister-in-law Heather for the first time. Sharing the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park seemed the perfect location for our introductions after months of phone and digital communications. It was May of 2019, and this scenic overlook presented itself with perfect springtime majesty.
On June 15th, 2026, the park celebrates its 92nd birthday. Some highlights from the website state that it’s the most visited national park in the United States, it’s loaded with wildlife and places to explore. And it’s also free because of an agreement made when โNewfound Gap Roadโ was built. (While daily parking passes are now required to stop, enjoying the scenery out the car window does not require an entrance fee or toll.)
One of the best destinations you can drive to on your visit is Cades Cove Loop. There’s an excellent chance of seeing wildlife, so be sure to bring your zoom lens so you can keep your distance while you get the shot (and keep your health). And remember that no matter how cute they seem, they are wildโso no feeding them, no matter what Yogi or Ben may have said on TV! ๐๐ป Any effort to interact with them can result in enough domestication that the animal no longer fears humans and could need to be put down. In the case of the image you see below, I was a long way off and could see the mama bear in the field across the road. All the cars were stopped and many people were taking pictures while the babies made their way across.
Some of the prettiest scenery within the towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville is that along the Little Pigeon River. That’s where most of the lodging and restaurants are built, meaning you have great views even when you stop for a rest or a meal. Here’s a collage of images from around the area. It includes an image of The Old Mill Restaurant, where you’ll usually wait at least an hour to get in for some of the best food in the area (or anywhere else, for that matter). And can you believe the color in that November sunset?
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
I’ll close with a slightly manipulated image from late spring of 2020 when the flowers were in full bloom. On the bridge near The Old Mill, they used to have openings filled with flowers, but that has changed now for some reason. It makes me even more glad I got this image way back when trying to be creative and look through the flowers to see the waterfall. And I hope you’ve enjoyed this little visit to The Smokies.
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๐ต You’re a Grand Old Flag Day
โAmerica Bless Godโ
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
If you could have seen me on June 14th in my younger years, you would have thought, โOh my, she’s wearing red, white, and blue from head to toe!โ It’s still my personal Flag Day rule whenever I leave the house on this special day to wear at least some red, white, and blue clothing and jewelry. And, yes, when I went out to meet some family and a new friend today, I put on very patriotic colors to celebrate the day.
You see, my family raised me to think about the intrinsic value of our homelandโto carry a deep-seated and passionate patriotism that holds respect for flag and country above thoughts and opinions on what’s happening within its borders. It was foundational to my upbringing as a grateful American-born citizen. And I’ve been privileged to witness that same level of patriotism in some not born here but nevertheless grateful to become part of the American experience. It will be exciting to shower my Canadian sister-in-law with red, white, and blue goodies when they move to the states later this year. ๐ฆ
When it was time to prepare for this post, a quick trip through my huge collection of flag photos brought me back to some forgotten snapshots that perfectly capture the spirit of the day. During a visit to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum (tucked right below Arnie’s Barn at Top of the Rock) in Branson, Missouri, I found these historic flags from our nation’s history.
What makes these two designs so special is the amazing artistry within their threads. Early congressional resolutions simply mandated thirteen stars, but they did not specify a strict layout. That gave early flag makers complete artistic freedom to represent their personal patriotism within these pieces of folk art.
The flag on the left is famously known as the Cowpens Flag Pattern, named after the 1781 โBattle of Cowpens.โ On the right, you see the creative variant often called the Wreath-with-Corners layout. Keeping a star in the middle was a popular choice for 19th-century folks celebrating the 1876 Centennial. For personal citizens, it was a break from the rigid structure used for military flags, allowing their artistry a proud form of display.
These unique pieces of American history are a powerful reminder of the intrinsic value of patriotism. They spark the flint from the very first Flag Day on June 14th, 1777, as declared by the Second Continental Congress during the height of the Revolutionary War.
Though they passed the โFlag Resolutionโ that included the 13 alternating red and white stripes (colors that represent courage/valor and purity), the blue field (representing justice), and the 13 white stars (for the 13 innocent colonies), the date was not represented yet. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the date, but it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that National Flag Day was officially established by an act of Congress and signed into permanent law by President Harry S. Truman.
These colors and their history inspired songwriter George M. Cohan while on a street corner back in 1906 where he crossed paths with a Civil War veteran. The old soldier cradled a torn and battle-worn American flag. He whispered to Cohan, โShe’s a grand old rag,โ and that moved Cohen to pen a song in her honor. Public pushback convinced him to change โragโ to โflag,โ but the heart of the song remained the same. Here’s a rendition of it with verses and lyrics.
In case you don’t know, this entire week is actually National Flag Week, so as you fly your American colors, join me this week by choosing your own red, white, and blue outfit or jewelry to celebrate and salute our national emblem. It represents a deep, unshakable allegiance to this place we call home.
As a fun side note for my readers who are history buffs: Betsy Ross may get all the fame surrounding our flag, but she was actually only the seamstress. In fact, it was a signer of โThe Declaration of Independenceโ named Francis Hopkinson who was the true creative mind behind the layout and original design.
And I’ll close with one final image I found from back when the YouVersion Bible app had a companion app calledย Bible Lens for matching pictures on your device with Bible verses. I love the one it found from Galatians 5:13 to go with one of my flag pictures. Photo Studio Pro allowed me to add some sparkles and a vintage frame. I’ll share the verse and then the image with the verse.
Galatians 5:13 NLT
[13] For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But donโt use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.5.13.NLT
Note: Some of the words for the historical information were assisted by Google Gemini, but Iโve edited and personalized all of it before publishing.
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๐ตA Very Big Tree
I’m keeping this shorter tonight.
I was thinking about the conversation Eve had with the serpent in the garden. Here’s the beginning of it from Genesis 3:1:
Genesis 3:1 KJV
[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.3.1.KJV
Do you see the anxiety-inducing, manipulative question in that statement? โ…Ye shall not eat of EVERY tree of the garden?โ (My emphasis here.) In many translations, the word โeveryโ is replaced by โanyโ which still shows the manipulation, but I think every reveals the hidden agenda a little better. Basically, the enemy made ONE tree bigger than ALL the trees of the garden. One tree that God forbade to protect their innocence became more desirable than who knows how many others with wonderful and sweet fruit available to them 24/7.
That manipulation still goes on today, and sometimes even using words from The Holy Bible. Someone will use the word โslaveโ as an excuse to avoid God and His words, even though far more of them are filled with mercy and grace. A Christian battling with performance or perfection issues will find a verse like โBe ye perfectโ larger than โMy grace is sufficient.โ
So, I just want to remind you today that the garden was bigger than one tree. And God’s plans for salvation are bigger than any man-made set of do’s and don’ts that demand our adherence to earn God’s love. When you encounter anxiety from the written word, ask God to show you through His Holy Spirit how to understand it and correctly apply it to your own life. It will be His pleasure to let you know because it’s His desire for you to spend your eternity with Him.
2 Peter 3:9 BSB
[9] The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/2pe.3.9.BSB
And if you travel while on this Earth and if those travels take you out Arizona way like they did me in May of 2010, stop and see the World’s Largest Rose Tree and museum in Tombstone, Arizona. I wish my pictures were better at showing how magnificent it is, but the images and video on the website should.
And now, since we’re talking about roses, sing along with this beautiful bluegrass version of โWhere the Roses Never Fade.โ
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When AI Gets Goosebumps
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Because the last three days were so intense, I’ve decided to share a couple images that came up in my photo memories because of my recent topics onย mountains. These were made in the Abstract Fluid and Kintsugi filters; I really love the colors, and especially the gilded edges, on these pictures.
As for the goosebumps, I just had to share the laugh that when I presented my last blog post for editing (part 3 of the Upside-down Mountain posts), Gemini didn’t find any corrections and said the post gave it โliteral goosebumps.โ A play on words because it’s literary, or a test to see if I’d catch the word literal and say, โ No you didn’tโ? I don’t know, but at least it gave me a good smile and laugh. And I’m very happy that Gemini saw the value and hard work I’d put into that postโand all the posts on that subject.
Of course, I was really tired having been up for hours trying to fix a ghost notification on hubby’s phone that was going off every 2 minutes and then showing nothing in the pull-down notification screen. I need to tell you how to fix it in case it ever happens to you. This is an Android issue, and maybe even Samsung-specific.
So, I tried deleting files. I tried updating the Samsung password since my account fuels every Samsung device in the house and it was warning me that it had been 6 months since the last update. I tried every setting I could find that had to do with that notification, and nothing worked. That’s when Gemini came to my rescue.
First, it had me check to see if I was using message/notification reminders where they periodically pop back up if unanswered. Nope; that was clear. Then came a few more tweaks in notifications, privacy, and accessibility, but still: sounds with no words, every 2 minutes exactly. I knew that phone was not an airplane but would likely be tested that way if it kept it up when hubby got up the next day. So, like a bulldog with a bone, I kept digging.
Really, it’s not as hopeless as it would seem. And part of that is due to a very smart app Gemini told me to download from the Galaxy Store. It’s called โNice Catchโ and it can record all the little changes to your phone with about 7 hours of history. And the developer made it free!
Once I got the download open, I switched on the main toggle (and then every toggle) just to try and find the phantom annoyance. Within 2 minutes, the first one came up. And then 2 more, exactly at 2-minute intervals. They were repeats of the flash flood warning that had hit our area the previous morning when 8 inches of rain dropped in 1 hour. Once we had that info, Gemini was able to direct me to the exact setting that was creating the notifications.
If you have a Samsung smartphone, and especially if you’ve ever gotten random notifications with no visuals, this app works. With or without that app, though, here are the steps for making sure your phone’s emergency notifications are set exactly as you want them. I’m guessing these will be close to the same for every Samsung Android device. Go to…
- Settings (the gear โ๏ธ icon)
- Safety and Emergency
- Wireless Emergency Alerts
- Alert Reminder (It will likely say 2 minutes by default, and you can change it to once, 15 minutes, or never.)
Other settings on this page include setting your emergency alerts to full volume even when the phone is on Do Not Disturb, and having the alerts spoken to you.
I will research more for my own phone as I’ve found articles saying the Nice Catch developer, โGood Lockโ has lots of great customizations in their app suite. Comment below if there’s something you think I should know about or would be interested in. Thanks!
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๐ต The Upside-down Mountain of Blessings; Part 3
The dark clouds roll in with a thunderous crackle, and a howling wind blows blinding sheets of rain against the neighborhood. A flash flood violently surges over the riverbanks, ripping up trees and slamming directly into two houses. From a distance, the two structures look identical. But as the mud rushes over the foundations, their differences become obvious. One house stands completely unmoved against the torrent, while the other one collapses into a catastrophic heap of crushed bricks and broken wood. This is the closing cinematic scene of YahShua’s famous sermon.
After dismantling four millennia of religious chaos and bringing the focus back to its original purposeโgraceโHe ends with a sharp warning about an unavoidable storm. He forces us to look past the outward appearance of our lives and look directly at what is underneath them. Without explicitly asking Himself, He poses the question: What is your foundation?
Matthew 7:24-27 BSB
[24] Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
[26] But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fellโ and great was its collapse!โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/mat.7.24-27.BSB
So I ask you, dear reader, what is your foundation? Are you trusting in The Lord and built on a rock-solid foundation that is backed up in Scripture? Have you tested the beliefs that frame your spiritual life against the words of The Carpenter?
And if you’ve ever wondered what a house (and rock) made of knitted yarn looks like, check out this cute image…
I loved working on this study with Gemini because it brought up some focal points I may have missed if I’d spent the hours required to search all the sources the AI has access to. One great point was this: The wise builder didn’t build a house to earn the rock; he built on the rock because he trusted its strength. At least it’s a great point to someone who has spent many days and hours trying to perform flawlessly enough to keep the Rock in my life rather than causing Him to give up on me.
I also liked the notes on comparing our walk with Christ to a phone that needs to be charged. A phone doesn’t earn its power by working, it sits passively on a charger to receive power. But it receives power *so that* it can go out and run its apps. Good behavior and holy living are not a currency we pay to get God to love usโthey are the natural fruit of a life that has finally let God and His love be the source of power.
Stopping the Grace vs Works Pendulum
We don’t obey God to convince Him we are worthy of His love; we obey Him because we have finally allowed Him to fully love us. His way. Based on His worthinessโpoured out in blood at Calvary. We obey because, like a glass submitting to a vessel that’s pouring water into it, we trust Him to fill us up. Good behavior and obedience, including letting God serve us in healings and other blessings, is the fruit of that trust.
The balance of both grace and good worksโwith grace setting us free from struggling for a paycheck attached to our workloadโstops the pendulum. Once we’re free from being servants of sin, we become like children who want to please our holy Father because we love and trust Him. We’re no longer swinging from one extreme to the other trying to figure out which lessons to follow to become perfect or shunning works all together as if they are a type of bondage.
Now, we’re praising God from the top of the upside-down mountain of blessings, and from the valley below. We realize blessings are His gifts of love toward us rather than rewards for our perfection. He pours out gifts because He wants to. No more begging; just receiving, trusting, and loving in all kinds of weather.
As we wrap up this journey on the Upside-Down Mountain of Blessings, look at your own spiritual foundation today. Are you still trying to climb the old mountains of performance, or are you ready to build on the Rock of Christ’s finished work? Iโd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below: Which part of this upside-down message speaks most deeply to where you are at in your faith journey right now?
Read Part 1 at: https://crystal-writes.com/2026/06/07/upside-down1/
Read Part 2 at: https://crystal-writes.com/2026/06/08/upside-down2/
And now, enjoy an old childhood favorite about the wise man and the foolish man…
And I’ll finish this in style with the beautiful song โGod on the Mountainโ by Lynda Randle…
Note: Parts of this study (and a few of the words) were assisted by Google Gemini, alongside website studies at Bible Hub and Got Questions, but Iโve edited and personalized all of it before publishing.
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The Upside-down Mountain of Blessings; Part 2
Picture a candle-lit upper room at dusk on the night before the crucifixion. The air is heavy with tension, and the disciples are doing what human beings always do when they are insecure: arguing about who among them is the greatest and therefore deserves the seat of honor nearest the Messiah.
Suddenly, the room falls dead silent. Everyone turns toward the front of the table where YahShua has pushed aside His plate of bread and the cups of covenant He had just taught about.
Silently, The Rabbi stands up and ties a towel around His waist. The others watch as He pours water into a basin and lowers it to the floor. He kneels before the first disciple to wash his dirty, dust-covered feet. And then He washes the feet of the next one, and the next. These are moments of profound beautyโand total theological panic. The stunned disciples submit to their Master, but it all feels upside-down to them.
When YahShua gets to Peter, the tough fisherman recoils in flat-out refusal. Even though YahShua had just stated He was there to serve them, Peterโs religious training told him that followers serve the Master, not the other way around.
โBut it’s me who should be washing Your feet,โ Peter exclaims!
YahShua looks up at Peter from the floor. In a loving moment of warning, He reminds him that without submitting to Him as a servant, Peter will have no part with Him.
Now Peter swings the pendulum the other way requesting for his Master to wash him head to toe. It’s a beautiful way for Peter to state that he is sold out to The Messiah and is fully committed to His ministry. We know that commitment will be tested within the next couple days, and Peter will fail, but it won’t be the end of his ministry.
YahShua has seen the future denials, but He has also seen the future. In Mark 16:7, He sends an angel to specifically include him: โgo tell the disciples and Peterโ to meet Him in Galilee.
Mark 16:7 BSB
[7] But go, tell His disciples and Peter, โHe is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.โโ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/mrk.16.7.BSB
This story of deep messages and lessons across the dinner table is shared in all four gospels, though not all parts are in each rendition. Still, for quick reference to read these yourself, check out these links at Bible Hub where you can read a variety of Bible translations and even put them in parallel.
Matthew 26... https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/26.htm
Mark 14... https://biblehub.com/bsb/mark/14.htm
Luke 22... https://biblehub.com/bsb/luke/22.htm
John 13... https://biblehub.com/bsb/john/13.htm
My introduction to this upside-down view of YahShua came during a recent Bible study in the YouVersion app. It’s called โDaily Encouragement,โ and it’s a year-long study of 366 devotions written by a lifelong missionary. On Day 207, the devotion covers the verse in Mark 10:45 (โFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.โ) Then he gives a quote from Bible teacher P.T. Forsyth that really got to me:
โChrist came not to be ministered to but to minister, and our first duty therefore is to be ministered to by him.โ
From Peter’s experience and this quote, I’m trying to look at how letting Christ serve me is an act of obedience.
In the devotion, the missionary mentions some of the words to describe God like Comforter, Shepherd, Helper, Keeper, High Priest, Husband, and Father. All of these words show actions in service to us. If we ask Him for comfort, and then we actually let Him comfort us, we are submitting to His service toward us. The same when we ask Him to save us, deliver us, or heal us.
Going back to yesterday’s thoughts in Part 1, it’s not about being the perfect performer to earn His blessings. The upside-down reality is that while He is the Master, submission and obedience to Him means receiving what He offers us.
If you are a follower of Christ, you took that first step of obedience by submitting to the mercy and grace found in His blood, allowing Him to wash your sins away just as He washed Peter’s feet. It didn’t elevate you above your Master or make you perfect any more than it did Peter, but it did prove that obedience given out of trust and love is the very definition of redemption.
That submission to salvation is the first step of many. But if you’re like me, your next steps took all the responsibility onto your own shoulders as you struggled to please The Lord (and maybe a few preachers) with flawless performance. You forgotโor maybe weren’t taughtโyou had stepped into a submission of receiving from The King of Kings Himself, the One who declared Himself your servant.
True Christian obedience doesn’t begin with a checklist of things we do for God; it begins with the vulnerability of opening our hands and letting YahShua (Jesus) minister to us through His salvation, healing, and comfort. Asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7;7) isn’t an act of begging a distant deityโit is the posture of a child receiving from a good Father.
But here is where the pendulum usually swings to the opposite extreme. If the Christian life is entirely about passively receiving the grace and service of Christ, does that mean our actual behavior doesn’t matter? Can we just claim mercy and live however we want?
In Part 3, we are going to look at how to stop the pendulum from swinging between legalism and laziness, and discover what it truly means to build a life on the only Rock that stands firm when the storms hit.
Note: Parts of this study (and a few of the words) were assisted by Google Gemini, alongside website studies at Bible Hub and Got Questions, but I’ve edited and personalized all of it before publishing.
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๐ตUpside-down Mountain of Blessings; Part 1
Imagine standing in the desert heat in the Shechem Valley of ancient Israel. You’re listening to the voices of the nation’s tribal leaders shout across two steep cliffs. From one lush green peak, Mount Gerizim, you hear shouts of blessing after blessing poured over the crowds. The shouts promise things like wealth, rain, and victory. And then, from the barren ridge of Mount Ebal, terrifying declarations of curse after curse ring out, warning of catastrophic dangers like poverty, hunger, and exile. This was the environment of the โvalley of decisionโโthe place where God asked for a commitment of loyalty from His people. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 it says,
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 BSB
[19] I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, [20] and that you may love the Lord your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.30.19-20.BSB
For centuries, this was the landscape of ancient Judaismโa clear-cut line where your physical state (blessing or curse on wealth, health, and safety) was your spiritual โreport card.โ Originally, it had a beautiful purpose in driving loyalty to The Creator and away from the many false gods of the surrounding nations.
But even good things can become co-opted by human misunderstanding until they no longer resemble their original purpose. Over time, religion began to use those โreport cardsโ as excuses to elevate or destroy people based on how they determined God must be judging them. (Think of Job’s โfriends.โ) If you were successful, you were deemed blessed, and if not, you were deemed cursed.
Suddenly, instead of โone peopleโ gratefully serving the One Lord who delivered them from the bondage and slavery of Egypt, religion devolved into a caste society of judgmental haves lording themselves over the have-nots. It didn’t help people’s hearts grow closer to Yahveh at all. In fact, His heart broke for every person driven away from Him by those whose service to Him was shallow and purely on the surface.
But fast-forward to a different hill in Galilee. Here, a radical new Teacher sits down with the crowd. He looks far beyond the external โreport cardsโ and instead looks deep into the eyes of the poor, the grieving, and the socially rejected. Even if they only came for a free meal or healing, he doesn’t shout at them from a mountain of curses.
Instead, He catches everyone completely by surprise. He looks right at the broken and says, โBlessed are you.โ
Welcome to the Upside-Down Mountain of Blessings, where YahShua (Jesus) rewrites everything we thought we knew about the favor of God.
When we talk about this event, we call it The Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew, and The Sermon on the Plain in the book of Luke. On the mountain, YahShua mirrors Moses going up the mountain to receive the laws of God, bringing tried-and-true instructions for Kingdom living to His disciples. On the plain, He acts more like Joshua delivering those historic blessings and cursesโexcept He turns them totally upside-down.
We call them โThe Beatitudesโ (from the Latin word beatus meaning โblessedโ or โhappyโ) and โThe Woes.โ Notice how the traditional โreport cardโ gets completely flipped. Here’s the account from Luke 6…
Luke 6:20-26 BSB
[20] Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said:
โBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
[21] Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
[22] Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. [23] Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[24] But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
[25] Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
[26] Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.6.20-26.BSB
(You can also read Matthew's account of The Beatitudes, which focuses on the blessings without the woes, here: https://bible.com/bible/3034/mat.5.3-11.BSB)
In all of this, you can see how far humanity swung the pendulum of religion away from God’s original intent of โencouragingโ people to choose His ways. From the Old Testament mountains to the hills and plains of the New Testament, religious systems had stripped away God’s mercyโleaving a distorted picture that still causes people today to accuse God of being a bully in the Old Testament. But YahShua demonstrated the true heart of The Father by fully ministering to the actual needs of those who followed Him.
And now, as you see your hardships are not a sign of God’s judgment or abandonment, you can release that crushing burden of being required to perform flawlessly for Him to earn your mountain of blessings.
But this leads to a slightly uncomfortable question: If the Kingdom is a place where the empty are filled and the broken are blessed, how do we actually receive it? What does it look like for Our King to roll up His sleeves, kneel down on the ground in front of us, and offer to do the one thing our spiritual pride hates the mostโminister to us in our messy and broken conditions?
In Part 2, we will look at exactly that scenario as YahShua declares Himself a servant and washes the feet of His disciples. Read Part 2 here.
In the meantime, check out this fantastic ApologetiX parody of โVenusโ by Bananarama and titled โJesus (Sermon on the Mount). While this specific video isn’t sung directly by them, it’s an excellent parody with great visuals and full lyrics included!
Note: Parts of this study (and a few of the words) were assisted by Google Gemini, alongside website studies at Bible Hub and Got Questions, but I’ve edited and personalized all of it before publishing.
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๐ตThe Upside-down Mountain of Blessings
Do you think that when they declared June 6th to be National Trails Day in 1993 they were thinking about the rabbit trails in the minds of those of us with ADHD? Lol ๐.
So, I’ve got a great Bible study I’m working on to share with readers, and it’s got so much in it that I’ve separated it into 3 parts. The problem is, I ended up studying so much that I tired myself out too much to get part 1 up right now. The image above is a clue, though, and if you want to read about these mountains, check Deuteronomy 11, 27, and 28 plus Joshua 8:30-35. Here are a few brief parts of those Scriptures…
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 BSB
[26] See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse โ [27] a blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, [28] but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the Lord your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.11.26-28.BSB
Deuteronomy 27:9-13 BSB
[9] Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: โBe silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. [10] You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.โ [11] On that day Moses commanded the people: [12] โWhen you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. [13] And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.27.9-13.BSB
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 8 BSB
[1] โNow if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. [2] And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the Lord your God:
[8] The Lord will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand; the Lord your God will bless you in the land He is giving you.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.28.1-8.BSB
Joshua 8:30, 32, 34 BSB
[30] At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the Lord, the God of Israel,
[32] And there in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written.
[34] Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the lawโ the blessings and the cursesโ according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/jos.8.30-34.BSB
You can see from just these few verses that there’s lots to unpack here, and it gets infinitely more detailed when we tackle how YahShua (Jesus) turned these mountains of blessing and curse upside down. Be prepared for hiking some fantastic trails through Scripture. In the meantime, since we’re talking about mountains, enjoy this congregational singing of As the Mountains are Around Jerusalem with lyrics on their song board.
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Shabbat Shalom & Weekend Blessings
Real life means that even with the joyful activity of lighting Shabbat (Sabbath) candles on Friday evenings, the image you took to remember it may not be the best for sharing. A little camera shake, too much wax on the candlesticks, or a bit of clutter captured in the image, and you’re looking for some creative editing tricks to make your image look prettier. So I took my candle picture to Wombo Dream and described the table and background I wanted, and then I let it work its magic. After a number of creations, I couldn’t decide between the one from the botanical filter and the filter they call abyssal void for my favorite. So, I made a collage in the Photo Studio Pro app and framed the two together. Here are a few more from the same two filters plus a couple more filters…
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
So we’ve been lighting candles together on Friday nights for over 25 years now. I say the prayer as I first learned it in a brief Hebrew class I took with the sweet friend who opened up this world to me. Understanding some aspects of original Judaism has helped me to better understand both the Old Testament and my Jewish Messiah. When I first started to learn these things (1999), I wrote a poem called YahShua The Jew, and blogged it here in 2016 in a post also called โYahShua The Jew.โ
The Hebrew prayer says …
Hebrew:
ืึธึผืจืึผืึฐ ืึทืชึธึผื ืึธืณ ืึฑืึนืึตืื ืึผ ืึถืึถืึฐ ืึธืขืึนืึธื, ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืงึดืึฐึผืฉึธืื ืึผ ืึฐึผืึดืฆึฐืึนืชึธืื ืึฐืฆึดืึธึผื ืึผ ืึฐืึทืึฐืึดืืง ื ึตืจ ืฉึถืื ืฉึทืืึธึผืช.Transliteration:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
English Translation:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of the Sabbath.
And right after we light the candles, we sing two songs together. The first is โShabbat Shalomโ and the second is from Isaiah 28:16…
Isaiah 28:16 BSB
[16] So this is what the Lord GOD says: โSee, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/isa.28.16.BSB
And here are the videos of those songs…
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Color Me Abstract; Quick Image Post
Some days, a few words and a lot of color will do. The above image is a twist made in the Mirror Lab app using multiple processes. I likely took a round kaleidoscope image and added the height map in the alchemy set of processes. That grew the edges and created multiple heights in the circles. From there, I duplicated them in the blur kaleidoscope filter. For tonight, I cropped it to a landscape image and used the Photo Studio Pro app to brighten and then frame it
Now, I have some other bright kaleidoscopes that I left as mandala shapes when I designed them. They are digitally created but oh so pretty. I placed them in a collage using the Photo Studio Pro app.
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
And with that, I’ll say goodnight and see you tomorrow. ๐
Psalm 42:5b BSB
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.42.5.BSB
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๐ตPrompt Response: Angel on my Car Hood?
Whatโs a moment that made you question reality?
More than once, there have been events in my life that seemed helped by an unseen hand. For example, the times when I used to catch the city bus on a street also known for solicitation activities (you rent where you can afford), and a car would pull up to question me… Before I could even give an answer, the driver would look up a little behind me and shudder just before driving away. What did he see, I wondered? Once, a whole group of people walking in the opposite direction split apart and walked a wide area around me like I was more than one person. They also seemed to look above and behind me as they passed. So, was there an angelic being playing bodyguard where I couldn’t see but others could?
Many years ago, I frequently attended a Cowboy Church that was about 40 minutes from home. We had concerts with some amazing Christian country artists followed by fellowship and pizza that often lasted into the wee hours of the morning. I miss those deep Bible and life conversations that drove me to see and seek God beyond simple church attendance. But I will always cherish those times. And one of them comes with an event demonstrated by the image Wombo Dream created for me.
It was probably about 4 AM when I left to head home. For most of the drive, sleepiness was not an issue. But as I got within a few miles of the freeway exit, drowsiness fell over me like a heavy blanket. Windows open, AC cranked, and determination to get all the way home worked for at least part of the time. But then, boom! Something large and like a big shadow landed on the hood of my van and actually made the metal of the hood pop loudly. It woke me up with a startled jump that infused the rest of my drive with major energy. Though I couldn’t see anything still on the hood or outside the van anywhere, I was sure I saw something like a silhouette jump off the van and fly away. Had I fallen asleep? If so, did I dream about something landing on the hood and then leaping off? Or, did God send an angel to wake me up by jumping on the hood and making the metal pop? I vote for the angel idea.
It’s not far-fetched to believe it could be an angel because the Bible is filled with moments where angels visited with people. And there’s even a reminder to take care of strangers because sometimes they are angels. When they show up as unseen helpers, or even as a shadow that jumps on your hood and then disappears, it does make you question what the reality was in those moments; but not question if they happened so much as how they happened.
Hebrews 13:2 BSB
[2] Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.13.2.BSB
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Where’s Bob?
Years ago, my aunt in Arizona bought me some adorable handmade tissue box covers. They are the kind of sewing art that makes you want one of every design, so you can have a different one in each room in the house. They are some of the most unique pieces of sewing art I’ve ever seen, and my aunt offered to get me as many as I wanted, but I settled for only two of them. Growing up, it was crocheted covers that adorned everything in the houseโfrom the spare roll on the back of the toilet to the winter doorknob covers to eliminate some of the static. While crafting isn’t my own personal strength, I truly appreciate the artistic abilities of others.
Plus, a beautiful cover gives some dignity to an object that goes through a lot of workplace drama in our house. If youโve ever reached for a tissue only for the chain to break, you know the drama; the frustration of having to dig blindly into the cardboard to fish the next one out. In our family, we blame “Bob”โthe imaginary little guy we picture living inside the box. Bob runs things like a one-man machine with a crank that pops the next tissue up each time you grab one. It can be a thankless job, but we try to tell Bob thank you when we think about it. Whenever the chain breaks, we just say Bob is taking his fifteen-minute scheduled break. Even if it’s not on our schedule, we understand. ๐
So, today, I asked hubby for a tissue, and he reached in to get one, but…
It wasn’t just a broken chain; the box was empty. My husband reached in to dig one out and said, without any fanfare or forced humor, โI guess Bob moved to another box.โ It caught me by such surprise that I lost it and just laughed (out loud for real) for a long time. ๐คฃ Now I’m wondering if Bob moved into the Christmas box to take a napโor a vacation since it’ll be a while before that one comes out again. We may have to offer him a raise to come back to the polka dot box. Teehee.
I did find an active Etsy seller who’s got 180+ designs of these couches, and the store says they’ll make them to-order as well. I’ve never ordered anything from Etsy, or even set up an account there, but it said it was last active on May 26th, so I hope that’s a good sign that it’s a good store. It’s called Royal Makings, and this link goes straight to the couches.
I hope this brought you a smile. Never forget the value of a joyful heart.
Proverbs 15:13a BSB
[13] A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.15.13.BSB
Proverbs 17:22a BSB
[22] A joyful heart is good medicine.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.17.22.BSB
And with that, I’ll close with a picture that may possibly be Bob’s new job site…
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๐ตRejoice in This
It is The Lamb who will sit in the midst of the throne for eternity, and it is The Lamb who is worthy of all our praise (and pride) this month and always. His is the book, written in His own blood, that will determine the destination for each of us in eternity. We can have perfect works, but a prideful and haughty spirit to go with them can still bring destruction. So, after the disciples came back victorious in a battle with the enemy, they were instructed in the right attitude to keep them humble and blessed.
Luke 10:20 BSB
[20] Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.10.20.BSB
Paul reminded the Philippians that he had places he could take pride and have confidence if he chose, but he reframed his own experience, power, and ability in comparison to Christ. That gave him all he needed to reject pride and stay humble.
Philippians 3:7-8a BSB
[7] But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/php.3.7-8.BSB
When he talked to the Romans, he reminded them that grace is the main reason to look at ourselves through God’s eyes of grace. That is enough to keep us on solid ground rather than being puffed up by pride.
Romans 12:3 BSB
[3] For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/rom.12.3.BSB
And the book of James echoes the idea that grace belongs to the humble.
James 4:6 BSB
[6] But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: โGod opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/jas.4.6.BSB
Though many others are writing on the subject of pride this month, it still bears worth to remind ourselves what happens at the end of pride and haughtiness.
Proverbs 16:18 BSB
[18] Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.16.18.BSB
Circling back to the first verse I shared, let me encourage you to recall where you were headed before the mercy and grace of The Lord made a better way for you. But for the grace of God, go I as well. We serve a God who pursues us even while we are sinners because it is His idea & desire to spend eternity with us. Even our own desires to serve Him were put in our hearts by Him, so He still gets all the praise. We are so not worthy of the wonderful love of YahShua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), and yet He has poured it out on us in abundance. Now THAT is a good reason to celebrate with pride humility!
And this seems like the perfect place to share a beautiful song recently shared with me by a beautiful friend and sister in The Lord. It’s called โThe Author.โ
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World Parrot Day
International/World Parrot Day falls on May 31st each year. You can read about the history, events, and suggestions for participating in the day at the National Day Today site. (The link goes right to the Parrot Day page.)
I’m sure you can tell by the above collage that I really like parrots. All of these images were taken in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at a wonderful place called โParrot Mountain and Gardensโ near Dollywood. Well, I take that back. The colorful one with the blue head (that kinda looks like an angry bird to me) was taken at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. It’s really a Lorikeet and not a parrot, but I didn’t realize that until I went looking for the link for Busch Gardens and saw that it’s on their aviary page. Oh well. I’m pretty sure all the others are parrots, my favorite one being the little gold one named Goldie, who I think is a โsun conure,โ but I’m not 100% certain.
I really like all birds, which is odd for a cat person, but I used to know a lady who trained assistant dogs, and because of her way with animals, she actually taught a bird to call her cat, and then the cat would give the bird a ride on its head. So, it is okay to like both birds and cats. ๐ฆ๐ As far as parrots go, I’ve only owned one. It was a very old, maybe sickly, African Gray, and I had to give him away shortly after getting him. But I’ve also owned parakeets, budgies, and cockatiels. Now, though I just go visit them because they have such a long life span, especially the double yellow-headed Amazon I used to dream of owning, and I wouldn’t want to stress about who would take over if it outlived me. And when I can’t visit in person, I have a few favorite birds I like to visit on YouTube. Here is a sampling of them:
Beaker Beak has an adorable voice and some really cute poses…
And then there’s Apollo who is highly intelligent and strongly trained…
Another favorite of mine is Tico who sings a variety of styles with his guitarist known as The Man (Tico and The Man) and sometimes guest musicians…
And finally Chloe Alexander with her bird (Gallagher, I think), who I heard long before she auditioned on AGT, and I felt so bad for her when the bird refused to sing. This is, I think, before she realized he would just keep singing with her. I had never even heard the song before watching this video, but I love her voice and the bird…
And I’ll close with a few Bible verses about birds (even if they’re not parrots)…
Genesis 1:20 BSB
[20] And God said, โLet the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/gen.1.20.BSB
Genesis 2:19 BSB
[19] And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/gen.2.19.BSB
Isaiah 31:5 BSB
[5] Like birds hovering overhead, so the Lord of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/isa.31.5.BSB
Matthew 6:26 BSB
[26] Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
https://bible.com/bible/3034/mat.6.26.BSB
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Sabbath Flora
Some people need to write every day because of how their minds work. My lessons on that have come with years of missed posts, so apparently that’s also how my mind works. But, I also need a Shabbat (Sabbath) rest here and there, so my new plan is to use Fridays to share some of my many image creations.
Today, that starts with a few of my lilies which were used as input images into a few different photo manipulation programs. I’ll share them as simple collages created with the Photo Studio Pro app.
Original lily color enhanced and vignetted.
Original lily with background removed in the Background Eraser app. And when I first got that app, removing backgrounds and replacing them with other colors and designs was about all it could do. Now it includes all kinds of other photo editing tools, so I need to get back and play a bit more. Anyway, after removing the background, I used the Chroma Lab app to change colors and the Photo Studio Pro app to add frames and decorative edges.
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
I went back to Chroma Lab and did a whole lot of rainbow filters with some added bokeh (background blur), and I really like the way this collage came out.
Finally, I used the lily image as an input image (like a template) for Wombo Dream AI. A variety of filters later, including one that knitted a rainbow lily for me, I got the following collection I’ve put into a collage for you. I think the pink ones for their pretty pink gingham background from Background Eraser be before I used that as an input to Wombo. These designs are mostly from the Abstract Fluid 2 filter, and they are by far my favorites. Can you believe how much variety can be created from only one image? And if a computer can do this, imagine all that God can do with those of us created in His image!
Sweet flower dreams and Shabbat Shalom everyone! ๐ธ
Luke 12:27 BSB
[27] Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.12.27.BSB
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๐ต Prompt Response: Soul ATM
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
If you had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would you do?
Day One
When I first read this prompt, my mind immediately went to how many lasting things I could get if I had no limits. I thought of how I’d contact a banker and ask for help with investments that would keep the unlimited flow going long after the 24 hours. And then…
It occurred to me that an unlimited budget did not have to be about any kind of money or finance. What could be worth more than those things and give me unlimited prosperity for 24 hours? Souls! Having a flow of guaranteed souls dispensed to me like an ATM does money, and then being able to send those souls in a new directionโtoward the cross of Christโwould be amazing.
I think my mind went there after hearing from a Facebook friend who I met on the site years ago but who has since blessed me greatly with her sincere love for The Lord. She told me about how she tries to use every opportunity God gives her to share her salvation testimony. She is driven to carry the Good News to as many souls as God allows to cross her path.
So, can you imagine having a day with an unlimited budget of souls being sent your way? They need The Lord you serve, the peace He provides, and the promise of eternity. You have the answers that will give them that hope and peace, and this unlimited budget means they are sent right to you and ready to listen.
Most of us will share our experiences and testimonies here and there as a door opens or an opportunity presents itself. A few, like my friend Miha, will create open doors and opportunities. And whether you were only given 2 talents or the whole 5, or even only 1 talent, the Lord wants to gain interest on the investment He made for your soul and paid with His very own blood. Anything that can make interest (usury) is certainly a valuable asset, and we really do have an unlimited budget of hungry and empty people who need God.
In The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) it begins like this…
Matthew 25:14-15 BSB
[14] For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent โ each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/mat.25.14-15.BSB
Each servant spends his investment differently with one of them not spending at all but burying his talent. There are many interpretations of what these talents are, including the possibility of those abilities within each of us that can be called talents, but the end result is always the same. We need to multiply what The Lord has entrusted us with that He will be able to profit on His return. He tells the person who hid his talent…
Matthew 25:27 BSB
[27] Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/mat.25.27.BSB
So whether it’s financial gain, or actual performance talent, when The Lord returns, we know He is returning for souls. That means interest on that would be more souls.
Over forty years ago, I sat on a church pew in Riverside, California, where I was visiting for a revival. They presented a video set to Steve Greenโs classic song, โPeople Need the Lord.โ But it wasn’t a generic Hollywood production. The church had taken photos of their own communityโordinary people on familiar street corners, living out their daily lives. I wept as I watched unfamiliar faces with the same needs as the familiar faces in my own daily life. I understood then that the mission field isn’t always across an ocean; it’s often right outside our own front doors. We are surrounded by a Soul ATM, a world of empty people rushing by with a need for mercy and grace and maybe not even knowing where to look. It just takes one person willing to step out of their own busyness, set up a chair, and offer the only Good News that can truly change their direction and fill them with the hope they need.
Here’s a beautiful rendition of that song…
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The Worst Best Gifts
I looked through my draft folder and found one of my oldest unpublished posts. And guess what? It’s probably worth 3-4 posts with all the subjects I tried to include. Granted, when looking through all the gifts in life that come with a healthy dose of responsibility, the list can get pretty long. So, I grabbed the first few paragraphs to share a little part of myself and the way my mind and heart functions.
So, ignorance is bliss according to some. Of course, I can admit it would certainly be more blissful to die instantly in your sleep than to run in terror because you hear a missile screaming toward your bedroom. I guess that’s why so many choose to dwell in an almost-constant state of ignoranceโbecause they desire an almost-constant state of bliss.
Then there are people like me. With gifts of empathy, perspective, and discernment, I’ve noticed many details of my surroundings (and been concerned about the world around me) since as young as I can remember. My aunt used to take me to the lunchroom at the old JC Penny’s where she worked. Though only about 5 years old, on one lunch visit, I offered to share my meal with an employee sitting across from us who wasn’t eating. I was too young to consider why he wasn’t eating, but I couldn’t help being concerned that he might be hungry, so sharing seemed the natural response to that.
For the most part, I have never been able to look at a perceived need in someone’s life without it affecting me emotionally. It’s why I’m desperate to try and fix things even when they’re not my responsibility. It’s a way to deal with the pain of the brokenness I see and feel around meโand within me because of my deep empathetic emotions. That is quite the opposite of ignorance, and it is often the opposite of bliss. It is so opposite that I once asked God to make me less sensitive, so I wouldn’t feel so much hurt, but God made me aware of the total cost for that request. It would require me to be less sensitive to good emotions as well. I chose to endure the pain of sensitivity in order to keep the blessings.
I’ve learned that sensitivity is one of God’s gifts to me, and I cherish it even when it makes me feel worse than I would like. I found a description of how I felt in an article originally published at Squidoo, now owned by Hub Pages. It’s still there and titled The Empath Within — Are You a Highly Sensitive Person? Though it hasn’t been updated since 2013 and has a lot more ads now, it’s a great read even though not written from a Christian perspective. And it cleared up so much of what concerned me that generated the prayer I’d offered. The best part is the list of traits shared by highly sensitive people. Here are a few of them:
The empathic person:
Is emotionally sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.
Is rarely concerned with their own achievements, a quiet leader.Has little trouble discussing emotional issues.
Is uncomfortable around disharmonious or emotionally intense people.
It’s a long list, and if you think you may fall into this category, it’s worth reading all the characteristics. The author concludes with a warning to protect your emotions by being careful who you spend time with since some people can exhaust you from a constant stream of negativity. And that’s where the beautiful gift of empathy can begin to feel like it’s not a gift at all. Like Monk (โthe defective detectiveโ) used to say, โIt’s a gift — and a curse.โ I don’t say it’s a curse, but there are people who can drag me down to a point where I think it’s what I’m feeling until I manage to get away from the source and realize it was all coming from them. Thankfully though, there are also people who can lift me up and energize me just from a few minutes with them. God knows how to give us balance.
I’ll close with a note about one of the first books I made an effort to write from a short story I’d written. It was called โThe Blind Man’s Desireโ and it was about a girl who rode a city bus with a blind man every day. She told him she wished she was blind like him, so she wouldn’t have to see all the awful things in the world. By the time he explained all the good things he missed and wished he could see, she changed her desires and found a lot of good to describe for him to see through her eyes. I guess God was teaching me that lesson long before that prayer.
1 Peter 3:8 BSB
[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/1pe.3.8.BSB
Romans 12:15 BSB
[15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/rom.12.15.BSB
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Prompt Response: Faith is the Answer
How do you handle fear and self-doubt?
I’m not sure where I learned the two acronyms in the image above, but I know they weren’t together when I learned them. The idea of the first part is to see fear as nothing to fear. But, in truth, sometimes it really is something that can harm us or those we love, and being in fear is the normal response we need to activate our โfight or flightโ response.
Whether it’s a real, worthy of fighting or evasive maneuvers, fear, or the weight of tossing our troubles around in our minds until they harm us whether they come to fruition or not, FAITH is still an answer. Faith may give you the wisdom you need for a proper fight or the direction to run for a good getaway. Or, faith may just tell you to stand your ground and be still because the battle belongs to The Lord. The hardest and easiest part is when faith tells you that nothing will change but that nothing changing also means God is still on His throne taking care of what we can’t control and of our eternity.
On that last part, I can tell you honestly that the idea of losing anyone I love and care for from this Earth is hard. Thinking of my own passage into eternity is hard. And I need statements like the one above to remind me that God’s got it all in His hands.
Still, it’s totally human to fear and doubt. In Psalm 56:3, King David didn’t say he would not fear but rather …
Psalm 56:3 BSB
[3] When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.56.3.BSB
Though, once he acknowledged that he could be afraid, he strengthened himself in The Lord and went on in verse 4 to say …
Psalm 56:4 BSB
[4] In God, whose word I praise โ in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.56.4.BSB
When the roots of our fears and doubts are of our own making, they can harm us at least as much as real dangers. Recently, I spent an entire night with my lessons, blog, and sleep all negatively affected because I feared an unknown scenario where I’d received a subpoena. Not being a person who likes to defend myself even when I know I’m innocent, that postal note on a certified letter let my mind wander to many possible scenarios. The next day, I thought of better possibilities (like an old family parcel with water rights finally becoming worth something), but oh how the wandering mind can torture us until we know the truth. And at the end, not one thing I imagined matched the real reason for the letter.
So, did I put those weights of the world on a tray and hand them over to The Lord? Unfortunately, not. And He might have been extending His arms, ready to take over, the whole time. As many times as I’ve written about fear and shared miraculous testimonies, wouldn’t you think I’d know better by now? But alas, I am human and have a lot of experience that has set me up for fear and doubtโprobably like everyone who reads this post.
I hope that sharing this helps someone to get through a fearful event or time a little more easily, even if it’s because you now know you’re not alone in being a person who loves and trusts God but still gives in to your fears at times. And I hope creating a visual of someone passing the weight of the world to the waiting hands of God will stay with me (and you) for the next time fear becomes a battle.
I wrote the poem below for my sister in 2015 as we both maneuvered life after losing our mom. You can find it to download in its largest size on my Flickr page at https://flic.kr/p/ybqdqj where I’ve listed a regular copyright but am happy to let people use it for personal and non-commercial purposes. Since I’ve placed it on items for sale at Zazzle, I must protect my copyright to make sure no one comes and says I took it from them, but I’m a big believer in freely I have received, so freely I will give.
(Both the image and words are by Crystal A Murray ยฉ 2015)
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Creative Ways to Deal
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
This is blog post number two because after I had blog post number 1 completed, my check of links revealed that it wasn’t the best idea to share. I was going to tell you all where to get my free phone wallpapers from Zedge, but the link to the regular website is so different from what I see within the app, it became clear I could not share it. Third party ads with misleading statements about activating your account could’ve made it look like that’s what you needed to do in order to grab my creations, and I just couldn’t serve that info with a clear conscience. I did find an alternative I’ll begin working on to share here later, though.
The other issue was that I had put some sample images in a collage, so people would know what they could expect. As it turns out, even though AI images cannot be copyrighted at this time, the terms of service (TOS) for using Zedge pAInt to design includes not being allowed to use those images on a blog or external website, even if it’s not monetized and is only being used to send people to them. ๐
So, today’s blog post is a lesson for me, and it can also be for you all to learn from my โalmostโ mistakes, so none of my readers will risk their own violation of a site’s terms. The big lesson being, even if you know the basic rules, ALWAYS read the TOS for the specific user practices they demand. In the meantime, enjoy the collage of peaceful doves, flowers, and butterflies made in Wombo where they have much more user friendly terms.
And here is one more collage of dove images using the following prompt:
2 white peace doves nestling on colorful flowers with deep royal reds, purples, blues, and greens all with gilded edges.ย A layer of deep green leaves with gilded edges and veins sits beneath the flowers. Soft glittery rays of sunshine stream from fluffy white clouds in the corner and bathe the doves and flowers. One large butterfly made of stained glass hovers near the doves, and many tiny colorful butterflies flit and sparkle throughout the scene.
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Use that prompt in your favorite AI image generator and then let me know where I can see what you’ve created. In the meantime, have a really creative day!
P.S. The โHow to Dealโ in the title was about dealing with extreme nerve pain in my back and leg (detailed in the first post), and how that led me to being creative as a way of dealing with what I could not do. Plus I got notes on my phone from apps saying, โHey, look what we can do now!โ It was a good day to be creative, but since it ended up taking me all night to do so, and since I actually wrote 2 posts, I’m officially skipping what would have been published as the date of May 24th and bringing you this for May 25th. Maybe that will set me on a better path forward. Now it’s time for some sleep for me. ๐ด
Psalm 4:8 BSB
[8] I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.4.8.BSB
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๐ต Not Comfortless
![A digital image of a parchment scroll nailed to wooden planks as created by Wombo Dream AI. On the scroll are the following Bible verses: John 14:16, 18, 23 BSB
[16] And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever โ
[18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
[23] Jesus replied, โIf anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
With a link to the Bible website at... https://bible.com/bible/3034/jhn.14.16-23.BSB I have listed this image as Creative Commons Zero (CC0) so people can share it freely since the Bible version used is also public domain.](https://crystal-writes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image_editor_output_image-1423944457-177961460619373770593684482955.jpg?w=900)
Creation by Crystal A Murray (CC0 Use Freely)
Because we are in the midst of Shavuot (Pentecost following The Feast of Weeks), I wanted to unpack this major promise from YahShua about not leaving His disciples as comfortless orphans. When read all together, these 3 verses from John 14 say so much about who YahShua actually is, and how He revealed Himself to the disciples (and to us through the Word we have now).
I don’t know that I could ever give the amount and quality of information they have at the Hebrew for Christians website, so I’ll refer you to them for all the details on the Feast of Pentecost that happened 50 days after the Passover. I learned while studying for this that Shavuot in Judaism is kept to remember when Moses was given the Torah (Law) on Mt. Sinai. One site suggested the sound of rushing mighty wind in Acts 2:2 would’ve been like the roaring and thunder they heard on the mountain while Moses was up there, so those gathered in the upper room and Jerusalem that day may have understood the deeper meaning in it.
Acts 2:2 BSB
[2] Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/act.2.2.BSB
Whatever that sound meant to those gathered for the festival, we know what it meant to the 120 believers gathered in the Upper Room that day. It was the fulfillment of the John 14 promises, and it gave them the boldness they needed to proclaim the Gospel of Messiah YahShua from that point forward. Peter himself went from one who denied Christ in front of a few people to one who stood and boldly proclaimed His salvation to many thousands all at once. That’s what real comfort can do.
YahShua (Jesus) told the disciples that if two or three gathered in His name, He would be in the midst of them. Most of us who have followed Him for any amount of time can point to at least one instance where a gathering, small or large, included moments much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:32 where our hearts โburned within usโ and we knew the Presence of The Lord was there. In those moments, we did not see a body with us, so that confirms the Spirit of Christ who said He would not leave us comfortless but that HE would come to us. The fullness of The Godhead dwelt in the human body of YahShua…
Colossians 2:9 BSB
[9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/col.2.9.BSB
… AND, the fullness of that One Spirit (from John 14:23) shows unity with The Holy Spirit even though YahShua said of Himself and The Father, โWe will come to him and make Our home with him.โ (Emphasis mine.)
Ephesians 4:4-6 BSB
[4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/eph.4.4-6.BSB
See, we do not have a God or High Priest that is โsomewhere out thereโ and unable to be touched by our needs. We have a very real Savior who longs to be real to us and not just a mystery we cannot know, even though exactly how He does it may be a mystery like it says in 1 Timothy 3:16, which I really like from The Complete Jewish Bible…
1 Timothy (1 Ti) 3:16 CJB
[16] Great beyond all question is the formerly hidden truth underlying our faith: He was manifested physically and proved righteous spiritually, seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations, trusted throughout the world and raised up in glory to heaven.
https://bible.com/bible/1275/1ti.3.16.CJB
Hebrews 4:15 BSB
[15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.4.15.BSB
But one day, when every knee bows and confesses that Jesus (YahShua) is Lord (Adonai is the actual word translated to Lord here), we will be able to say, โHe did not leave us comfortless, but He kept His promises to come to us whenever we called on Him.โ
Philippians (Php) 2:10-11 CJB
[10] that in honor of the name given Yeshua, every knee will bow โ in heaven, on earth and under the earth โ [11] and every tongue will acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai โ to the glory of God the Father.
https://bible.com/bible/1275/php.2.10-11.CJB
I’ll close with this very upbeat song from way back when I was learning to follow Him as a new believer…
And one more video of a song I’ve never heard before, but I really like it, and I like the images they used …
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Today’s Photo Memories: Pink Peonies
A few of my photo storage apps like to show me an โOn This Dayโ section with photos from the same date in different years. When I saw all my pink peonies from 2021, I knew I had to share them. Within the same few days, I captured a yard full of flower variety from my cellphone camera.
Before I moved to Kentuckiana, I do not think I’d ever even heard of a peony flower, let alone seen one. Maybe I did and don’t recall it, but the here and now brings these giant beauties every year courtesy of my friends (Mark and Debbie) who planted them before they sold us our Indiana house. Having never been a gardening kinda gal, the colorful blooms that grace my yard every year are truly gifts that keep on giving. What a blessing they are to see.
I was so happy with this capture that I put it through a program to add a matching frame, and then I started playing with effects. I think the one above was in Mirror Lab, and I think the repeating design is really pretty on the single framed flower. I used the same flower to make a simple pink on tan fractal…
And I’ll close with one more manipulation where you can clearly see the peony flowers but yet get lost in the array of twists and turns.
And though they are not lilies, I think the Scripture about the beauty of lilies being even more grand than King Solomon’s royal attire.
Luke 12:27 BSB
[27] Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.12.27.BSB
Simple Peony Haiku...
Peony flowers:
Pink, full, and blooming heavy.
Though their time is short.
A picture captures,
Their lives for us to savor.
Worth a thousand words.
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๐ต What to Do in the Rain
What do you do when it rains? Do you hide inside to stay dry, darting quickly between house and car if you need to run out and remember the umbrella is still in the car? I think most of us prefer to stay dry as we get older, but the deluge in the past week has gotten me to think about rainy days in my childhood.
Oh summer rain! Years and years ago in Southern California, it was just a simple pleasure like running through the sprinklers. Neighborhood kids would put on their swimsuits and dance around in the warm rain or slide on the wet grass. Sometimes, we’d get a little mud or grass stuck to us, but the rain would wash it right back off. We never worried about what could be in the rain, like toxins or acid, back then. We didn’t think about getting struck by lightning even when there was thunder and lightning going on. It was all just simple fun. And yes, we did drag out a kiddie pool to let it fill up naturally a few times. ๐คฉ
So, has rain changed? Or is it just the abundance of cautions & warnings out there these days that make it seem so much more dangerous? Maybe it’s just a bit different in the Midwest where I live now. But I still have such pleasant memories of rainโand puddles. (Not in our nice shoes, though. Lol ๐)
I remember one time, while I was working at the answering service, I had to relay an emergency call to one of our customers. It took me a while to reach him, and when he finally called back, he apologized for the delay because he was… โin my front yard in a garbage bag.โ I’m sure he could hear the confusion in my voice, so he went on to explain a little ritual he always did when it rained. He covered himself with a large, heavy plastic bag and just sat in his yard enjoying the sound that reminded him of rain on a tent. He said it relieved stress and brought him peace. It makes sense to me, but I’ve never actually tried it myself. Maybe I’ll put it on my to-do list since I’ve got a few of those industrial bags that should cover me well enough. Anyone else want to try it?
The rain in my area brings a bit of humidity, but I like how the clouds also cool off the house by not allowing the afternoon sunshine to pour through the living room window. And when it’s coming down hard enough, and it’s quiet all around, hubby and I will just listen and enjoy the rhythmic taps and clicks of the downpour.
Some Bible verses about rain…
Deuteronomy 32:2 BSB
[2] Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.32.2.BSB
Psalm 72:6 BSB
[6] May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.72.6.BSB
Job 5:10 BSB
[10] He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/job.5.10.BSB
Isaiah 45:8 BSB
[8] Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the Lord, have created it.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/isa.45.8.BSB
And a nice hymn about rain showers…
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Real Oil-Cell Kaleidoscopes
Whatโs a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?
The simplest pleasure is taking my oil-cell kaleidoscope out into the sunshine and just becoming lost in the beauty of light shining through dichroic glass. The largest image is from my kaleidoscope by Shelley Knapp, and the smaller ones are from taking that same image to Wombo Dream AI and designing similar images without the natural flaws.
I have a lot of them from my original oil kaleidoscope on my Flickr site where you can view the album with the Knapp kaleidoscopes and see the beautiful details. And below, I’ll share my YouTube video of the scope in action.
I may come back and add a few more from different kaleidoscopes when I’ve edited them, so save this post.
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๐ต Buttermilk Biscuit Dance?
Did you know we have a national march for our country? No? Me either! Yes? You should blog about it and teach the rest of us. ๐ I think you’ll recognize the tune when you hear it, though. I’ll tell you later about the biscuit dance, but for now, I’m taking you back to 1897 when a man later dubbed The March King, John Philip Sousa officially debuted the song he’d written the previous year. It’s called โStars and Stripes Forever,โ and it became our national march tune by an act of Congress in 1987. It was even used to close out each show of Sing Along with Mitch.
I actually have a whole Sousa CD because I really like that marching beat. I guess it’s time to get it out to use as some walking beat inspiration. In the meantime, guess what people did with the powerful march at song in the 1930s and 1940s. They made a parody. And if you didn’t know the tune from the march, you likely recognize it from the parody. Though I heard it as Be Kind to Your Fine Feathered Friends, all the videos I could find think it’s Be Kind to Your Web-Footed Friends. So here’s one video (no lyrics, though) by Peter and Mary in 1954, and it actually has verses…
Now, about those biscuits falling out of their mouths while they try to dance like chickens… May 14th is actually Dance Like a Chicken Day AND also Buttermilk Biscuit Day, so I asked Gemini to create a picture for me with people doing the Chicken Dance while eating buttermilk biscuits. I say definitely don’t try this at home because the mess would be huge, but I also say not to try this at all because you could choke. But it’s fun to look at in a picture.
And now I have to ask, do you know how to Chicken Dance? (Which was originally called The Duck Dance by the way.) If not, here’s a great video celebrating Wurstfest (since apparently the song by Werner Thomas is of German origins)…
While seeking help from Gemini to find all these sources, it asked me if I was going to write a poem or haiku to go with the subjects. I tried to cover it all in 2 stanzas…
It's a duck, mother,
Feathered sister or brother,
So be kind to it.
Also remember,
The stars and stripes wave freely,
Even o'er the swamp.
And while you’re eating or dancing or playing a tune, follow the encouragement from the Psalms to praise The Lord on many types of instruments:
Psalm 150:3-6 BSB
[3] Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [4] Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. [5] Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.150.3-6.BSB
Finally, I have one more video I just have to include because of the duck dance reference and because these baby ducks are adorable while flitting around to the Chicken/Duck/Hamster Dance music… ๐ฆ๐ถ
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Old Photo โ Blog Break โ๏ธโ๐ฅ
Nothing I’m trying is cooperating, so I guess that means it’s time to just get some sleep. But I hope you enjoy this beautiful image of a waterfall I took with a regular shutter speed (leaving the water clunky) after using prompts to have Wombo present it as a long exposure. Yes it’s definitely cheating to do it this way (versus a tripod and the time it takes to quietly steady yourself and your camera to capture flowing water in graceful movement), but it looks so much prettier this way. I’ve learned better how to get the slow shutter settings with my camera, and sometimes with my phones, but I’ve got plenty in my archives where it wasn’t done, so I’m thrilled I have an option to add this type of image repair now. Here’s one more and then I’ll say goodnight. ๐ด
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๐ตSavage Grace โ Now With Lyrics๐
That busy day today kept me out very late & set me up for more busyness tomorrow, so I ran by my brother’s Facebook music page and found that he’d created a new video with cool scenes that match his lyrics. He’s also added a unique slideshow of lyrics that pop, fade, and spin in with the lyrics.
Though he got over 4000 streams in the first month of release, the message in the song is still needed to let people know that God is still reaching out and rescuing all who call on Him. As I said in my original post on my X, โGod Himself is not a savage, but to plunge a strong arm into the miry clay to dig us out of our sin, it can take a #SavageGrace.โ
Please follow Shayne (Shayne Savage Music) on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/18VxsPZUSE/ and find his newsletter link to sign up for more frequent updates than I give here. Check his main website at https://www.shaynesavage.com/ for cool merch and his โLiner Notesโ blog posts. And tell him that his big sister sent you. ๐
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Creativity Day
I had a bit of a stressful day today, and I have a really busy day planned for tomorrow, so I decided that tonight was a great night to just do some picture playing while my phones charged before sleep. No deep words of wisdom other than to remind you (and myself) that God’s Word promises us that He will work everything for the good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purposes. To be able to work everything to the good means He is with us in those everything moments. So this is me trying to release any and all fears, anxieties, and issues with my battles with low self-esteem (though I know God sees me better than I see myself, so that helps), into His hands. I’m sure my readers have had their hard days and battles as well, so as I pray for those who visit my writings, I’m also grateful for those who take me to the throne when I’m not as strong as I’d like to be. Thank you with my whole heart. ๐
Romans 8:28 BSB
[28] And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/rom.8.28.BSB
Philippians 4:6 BSB
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/php.4.6.BSB
Proverbs 19:21 BSB
[21] Many plans are in a manโs heart, but the purpose of the Lord will prevail.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.19.21.BSB
And now, more pictures…
Good night and Shalom! ๐๏ธ
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A Non-Traditional Mom
Most people have an idea in their minds about what it means to be a mom or a mother (or a mum in much of the world). And those ideas are mostly based on our personal experiences either having a mom or being a mom. Some, though, are like me; not having or being a traditional mom. And in those cases, the ideas might be a little skewed. Or so I thought.
While searching for a poem from my teen years, written to the child I knew I’d never give birth to, I found a different poem I had written to a friend for the day she became the mother of a bride. It may be from TV and books and time with friends, or maybe my short time getting to raise 4 of my nephews for awhile, but it seems I have a fair understanding of at least some parts of motherhood. In this poem, despite not having my own children, I think I captured their mother/daughter moments pretty well. So, I’ve decided to share that with you all for this Mother’s Day post. Feel free to download it or tweak it for someone you know if it has a sentiment worth sharing.
HER NEW WORLD
Her first steps you remember walking toward you,
And you were just so proud.
Then she began to grow, suddenly yet slow,
Toward life's ever-changing crowd.
First, it was just a game she would play,
"Catch me if you can."
She'd giggle and squeal, looking back to see you,
While away from you she ran.
Next were the neighbors' and friends' yards and homes,
"Momma, can I go play?"
Though a little bit worried, you smiled with delight
Watching her and her friends skip away.
Then hot chocolate, pj's, and sleepover parties,
To the movies and malls with friends...
As you watched the apron strings pull ever tighter,
Getting stretched oh-so-dangerously thin.
Finally, one bright day, she noticed this boy,
To her, he's the world trimmed in gold.
And though you're happy for her, a teardrop falls,
As the apron strings now lose their hold.
Now she walks toward you in her bridal dress,
On this bitter-sweet wedding day,
Soon you'll watch her run, hand-in-hand and in love,
And you'll weep as they drive away.
And you know if you could, you'd have it both ways...
Her a woman, and yet your little girl.
But you can't, so you pray, "God, take care of my child,
As she walks into this, her new world."
By Crystal A. Murray (2002)
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๐ตWriter’s WeekendโBlog Break
I found an old golden hour sunset that I was trying to edit, and I couldn’t get it quite where I wanted it without turning on the computer with better software. That’s when I decided to ask Wombo to add the swing and the woman, and now I can take a little break for tonight.
We had a great writer’s meeting today, and I’m so impressed by the hearts and writing talent of those in our group. But it also means I get home a little late and have so much on my mind that a single topic for a blog post is a little hard to focus on. I wouldn’t trade it, though, and I hope it just gives readers an excuse to read old posts they may have missed. ๐
But just for fun, here’s a little squeeze box (accordion) tune to go with the funny fish poem I posted about in April called I Fished in a Tree.
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๐ตNo Fear Invited
Well, this one is turning out to be a much bigger presentation and study than I planned, so I’m not going to do the whole thing just yet. But let the Scripture above (placed on a real Indiana sunset) be an encouragement for you.
1 John 2:24, 27 BSB
[24] As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.
[27] And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/1jn.2.24-27.BSB
Remember what you have been taught from God’s Word. Search your heart for those truths God Himself has hidden there by His Spirit. Do not be misled, either in knowledge or emotion, by fearful words being shared in the name of Christ. Ask for, and practice, discernment. Paul reminds us that practicing discernment makes us better at it.
Hebrews 5:14 BSB
[14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.5.14.BSB
If you’ve begun to hear the fearful whispers about UFO/UAP โsecretsโ being revealed that will challenge your beliefs in God, plan now to not be overwhelmed by the news. Do not invite the fear to dwell in your heart. Know that God is The Creator of the WHOLE universe, so that includes any and all entities that may be outside our visual realm here on Earth. Trust The Lord and do not doubt that He has everything in His hands and in His control. He has already been to the future and nothing takes Him by surprise. No matter how anointed someone says they are or seems to be, they do not have more knowledge (gnosticism) than God or His Word, so keep your heart in The Lord, and send fear on down the road.
There is much more to say on this subject, but I want my presentations to be accurate and truthful, so I will add to this when I have spent more time in prayer and Bible study. But I wanted to get the introduction to you as I’ve been seeing more and more talk of these things, and Christians need to be prepared to carry the banner of God’s Word in comfort and strength to those who do not yet follow our Savior and may be overcome with fear. Keep yourselves in The Word and Spirit, so you will have truthful answers for any who might ask your thoughts on these teachings when they are dispensed to the masses.
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Haiku Scripture โ Genesis 2
And with some busy days behind and ahead, it seems like a good time to bring in the second chapter of Genesis haiku. Read with expectation to see these verses in a new light by reading them in a new form.
Chapter 2
2:1
Heavens and earth done!
With all creation finished โ
God enters His rest.
2:3
Now this seventh day...
Is set apart and holy.
Yahveh has blessed it.
2:4-8
Here is history โ
Yahveh has created man,
To till His new Earth.
2:7
Adam, the first man,
Breathes in the breath of his God โ
Now he is alive!
2:8
After He makes man,
Adonai plants a garden.
It is in "Eden."
2:8-9 + 15
Adam is placed there...
To care for all that God grows.
It is for his food.
2:16-17
Man may eat of all,
Including the "Tree of Life."
Yet one he eats not.
2:17
The "Tree of Knowledge"...
Cannot be for Adam's food โ
It would bring his death.
2:18
Adam is alone.
Yahveh says, โThis is not good.
He needs a help-mate.โ
2:19-20
Created from earth,
God brings animals to man โ
Adam then names them.
2:20
But for Adam's needs,
The beasts are not suitable โ
They are not his kind.
2:21-23
Adam sleeps; God works.
New life taken from man's side.
She's bone of his bones.
2:23
She is called โwoman,โ
Since she is taken from man โ
Now she will help him.
2:24
The two are one flesh.
Thus, men must leave their parents...
And cleave to their wives.
2:25
Adam and his wife...
Do not know they are naked โ
They are not ashamed.
End of Chapter Two
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Knitted Writers โ Blog Break Today
No haiku tonight, and no real post either. I had a hiccup day finding out that my main website had broken links that have given me a huge to-do list for the coming days. I’ve got it all mapped out, so hopefully, it will be less time consuming having done the heavy lifting today. Thanks for understanding my need for a little break, and I hope the picture makes you smile as much as it made me smile. Here are 2 more knitted writers for you.
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Haiku ScripturesโGenesis One
As promised, tonight I bring you Genesis, Chapter 1. Read it for the rhythm and nuances you might miss from just passive reading or from study. I hope my poet’s eye leads you to even deeper study on your own. The first-born teacher in me would be thrilled to know I’ve stirred up a hunger for even more of God’s Word in my readers.
Note: When I originally used the memorial name of The Almighty, I used what’s called the tetragrammaton (YHVH) with the vowels inserted. That read YaHVeH. (Or it could be YHWH/YaHWeH, but V and W were the same letter in Hebrew, and I’m drawn to the V because by itself, it means and. So when I read Yahveh vs Yahweh, I see it as โYah and…โ or โGod and… โ because He is the beginning of everything. Still, it looked distracting with the capital letters, so I’ve fixed that now.
GENESIS Intro…
Genesis One: One
โGenesisโ means โBeginningsโ…
Let us start from here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 1…1:1
In the beginning:
No heavens; no earth, until...
Yahveh creates all!
1:2-5
Darkness divided:
Yahveh says, "Let there be light."
... Eve and morn โ โDay One.โ
1:6-8
Waters Divided:
Those below from those above.
... Eve and morn โ โDay Two.โ
1:9-10
The dry lands appear.
They are split by the waters,
Which Yahveh calls โseas.โ
1:11-13
Earth starts producing:
Trees, plants, and seed-bearing fruit.
... Eve and morn โ โDay Three.โ
1:14-19
Great and lesser lights:
To rule the days and the nights;
Sunshine; moon; and stars.
Lights will be for signs,
And for seasons, days and years.
... Eve and morn โ โDay Four.โ
1:20-23
When birds and fish swarm:
They fill the skies and the seas.
... Eve and morn โ โDay Five.โ
1:24-25
The earth brings forth life:
Many animals and beasts,
And crawling creatures.
So much accomplished:
Most of creation is done...
God says, โIt is good.โ
1:26
ankind is made:
Created in God's image...
Man is blessed in God.
1:27-31
See man; See woman:
The greatest of all creations...
It is very good!
1:28-31
Plants and animals:
Plus humans, to multiply.
... Eve and morn โ โDay Six.โ
End of Chapter One
And now just for fun, here’s a couple 30-second music tracks to accompany two of the stanzas of haiku about God creating man. Comment about your favorite.
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Haiku ScriptureโTorah Intro
I’m going to spend some time this month sharing some haiku I wrote way back in 2014. My intention was to write the whole Bible in haiku, but that’s not realistic anymore, so I’m only going to do the Torah. That’s Genesis through Deuteronomy. When you focus on the syllables of a haiku verse, it makes you think more succinctly, and sometimes, you even catch something you miss in regular writing.
Notes: Haiku does not actually have a specified number of syllables required on any line, but that Haiku which is traditionally American is usually in a format of 3 lines, with the syllables in those lines being 5, 7, and 5 respectively. Also, a Haiku, which brings the same topic into more than one stanza, is actually called a “Renga”, but since many are not familiar with these details, I’m just calling it all haiku.
Today will not have any Bible verses, but will just be an introduction to the idea of Torah and how it plays out in haiku. I hope people enjoy these readings as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
Anointed Scriptures,
Written for us to learn from โ
God teaches with love.
Open your heart now.
Follow as I have written…
Scripture in “Haiku”.
Intro To Torah… What Is Torah?
God speaks to Moses.
The books of law are written…
They are called “Torah”.
“OR” in Hebrew words
Is translated meaning “Light”…
See it in “TORAH”?
“Torah” means “The Word”.
Within it, man will find Lightโ
Law is light and life.
YaH-Shua is Light,
And He is The Spoken Wordโ
The “Living Torah”!
So, from Genesis,
Through all Deuteronomy…
History preserved!
Have a blessed week, and come back tomorrow for Genesis One.
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Picture in Picture
I’m cheating tonight. I got on some very long learning tasks and wore myself out, so I’m sharing some of the many picture-in-picture creations I’ve made with Photo Studio Pro by KVADGROUP. This isn’t even a tiny bit with all you can do in the app, but I’m falling asleep, so I hope you enjoy it. I have one more collage of strawberries to share and then it’s sleep time.
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.o)
Psalm 118:24 BSB
[24] This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.118.24.BSB
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I Love ๐ฅฐ Emojis
What are your favorite emojis?
Ask anyone who gets messages from me. I love emojis! ๐ There’s something about being able to say a lot with a tiny form. A picture speaks a thousand words, right? And when I downloaded Google’s Gboard keyboard and got access to their โemoji kitchenโ to create my own, that was the whipped cream and cherry on top.
I’m not sure why โDay Oneโ chose this for their 1921st prompt, because so many emojis only show up as little boxes here on WordPress, but I still love the idea, so I’m experimenting. I’ve downloaded a lot of the mixed ones I created to share in a collage, and they’ll show fine since they’re pictures. Like this set of train emojis from messages I sent to my sister while she was on the train last year.
I really love the train that’s slipping on a banana peel. That was from combining a train emoji with a banana emoji. You should be able to tell what was combined to get each image. I highly recommend the Gboard app for the personal dictionary and the Glide Typing abilities as well. I don’t know if it’s available anywhere but the Google Play Store, but if you can get it, I’m relatively certain you’ll have fun with it. Go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin
And here are some new ones I just made tonight. As you can tell, I like combining the cactus with different things. Oh, and sparkles. I love adding sparkles to other emojis.
Most of these should be obvious, but the wooden globe may not give away that it’s a combo of the earth and a wooden stump. The frying pan is the combo of a dinner plate and an egg. But I cannot do a train and a cactus, so here’s what you get when you choose to do the two types of cactus ๐ต and ๐๏ธ (I hope these show) inline with a text…
So, yes, I think you can clearly see that I really like using emojis as a communications tool. I hope this inspires someone to have some fun with these great compact emotions.
Now, since April 27th is also โNational Tell A Story Day,โ I have one more treat for you. It’s a very old story, some sites say a song, that I learned when I was a teenager. I never sang it until I taught it to my nephews and had them sing it like a military marching cadence for their uncle. As I searched, it seemed all the sites had slightly different words, so I’m using the ones I recall from my years of repeating this tongue tangler of backward, inside-out, and upside-down words..
I started with the introduction of...
Ladies and gentlemen, hobos and tramps,
Cross-eyed mosquitos and bowlegged ants.
I stand before you, not behind you,
To address you, not undress you.
Admission is free, pay at the door.
Pull up a chair and sit on the floor.
I come to this end, not to this out,
To tell you a story--I know nothing about.
~~~~~~~~and then the story~~~~~~~~
One bright day in the middle of the night
Two dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back they faced each other
Pulled out their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman heard the noise
And came to kill the two dead boys.
If you don't believe my story is true,
Ask the blind man... He saw it too!
One day, I’ll tell you the story of Petey the Snake. But it’s best to hear it, so I’ll need to get over myself and be willing to record it. But wait, there’s more. I just had to make my juggling emojis with the knit filter. Too cute!
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Ideas from Heaven
Where do ideas come from? And just because they formed in our minds, does that mean they belong to us? Well, yes and no. I mean, without being made in the image of our Creator, we would not likely have creative minds that generate ideas. That’s why the image is showing ideas from the heavens finding their way to the minds of men.
April 26th is National Intellectual Property Day, and it commemorates the pursuit of each person maintaining ownership rights for intangible ideas and creations. Thoughts and ideas often lead to tangible creations and/or processes that have huge effects on people’s livesโsometimes even life changing. For example, a sound therapy that can stop a seizure would be a life-changing invention. And it’s not only the sound creators or device constructors that make it possible, because it wouldn’t be possible without an idea that was followed, researched, tested, etc. (I don’t even know if that sort of thing exists, but there are lots of sound therapies, and a seizure seemed like the most visual idea I could point to.)
If you create anything, you have made use of intellectual property. The site linked above (National Day Today) gave a good description, so I’ll cite some of their intellectual property to share with you…
What Is Intellectual Property and Why Does It Matter?
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, including inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce. The primary categories of IP include:
Patents โ Protection for inventions and technological innovations
Copyrights โ Rights for literary, artistic, and musical works
Trademarks โ Protection for brand names, logos, and slogans
Industrial Designs โ Safeguarding the visual design of objects
And, yes, this topic seems a little boring, but I couldn’t remember my idea for tonight’s blog post, so I looked up the day, and decided that this was the one celebration I could โwrite what you knowโ about. Though it is also โJason Dayโ and โGabriel Day.โ I have a brother named Jason, but I don’t know that he wants me to blog about him. And the only Gabriel I know is not someone I know but is a pretty funny comedian also known as Fluffy.
Back to the idea thing, though, I used to have business cards that listed me as a โWriter and Creative Mind.โ I may have mentioned that before because of my desire to have a gathering of creative Christians sharing ideas and creating together. I believe it is being made in God’s image that enabled our creative abilities. Because of the sin when the enemy bit the heel of mankind and inserted his darkness into human DNA, some folks misuse their creativity to produce terrible ideas and products. But the idea of being creative is still rooted in our Creator, and I think that’s something to celebrate and lean into. Please share some of your creative thoughts and ideas in the comments.
There’s a great Bible study on the Bible app by YouVersion called โCreated to be Creativeโ by Marian Parsons. It’s only 5 days long, and each day has creative exercises at the end. Find the study at http://bible.com/r/12I and let me know what you think when you finish. She begins the study from the verse in Psalm 19:1,so I think that’s a great place to end this post…
Psalm 19:1 BSB
[1] For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.19.1.BSB
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๐ตWorld (Help A) Penguin Day๐ง
My Bible study today was in Luke 30, and when I read about the good Samaritan, it occurred to me that YahShua didn’t mention this being a parable. I’m not saying it isn’t, but I’m really pondering whether it is, so I invite you, my dear reader, to wonder along with me. Here’s the whole passage, and the link will take you to words in red.
Luke 10:30-36 WEBUS
[30] Jesus answered, โA certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, [34] came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the host, and said to him, โTake care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.โ [36] Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?โ
https://bible.com/bible/206/luk.10.30-36.WEBUS
So what if this story was not a parable, but rather a true story? What if the people whom God saw from the heavens just happened to be standing around in the crowd that day? Maybe more than one of them were there. The priest may have felt a twinge of conviction but drove it away with his anger at this man proclaiming to be The Messiah. But even he couldn’t help but wonder how YahShua knew about his passing by on the other side of the road on that day. And maybe one of the others who passed by actually repented and began to follow The Lord. If it was not a parable, who knows how many people might have been in that story and had to examine their lives once they realized they had been seen.
I believe God reaches into the miry clay with a rejected hand and repairs wounds every day. And whether you fit in the story as the rejector, the rejected, or the wounded, He is willing to bring you out of your current place and set your feet on The Rock.
Psalms 40:2-3 WEBUS
[2] He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
https://bible.com/bible/206/psa.40.2-3.WEBUS
And the reason you see penguins instead of people in the image above is simply to honor World Penguin Day. Well, and because they’re cute. And I’ll close with a beautiful rendition of โYou Raise Me Upโ by Selah.
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๐ตMilestones
I’m keeping this really short because I wore myself out today going through many of the milestones I’ve kept in boxes because they are so precious to me. And I’m thankful for the memories, but there comes a time when you’ve got to whittle the physical parts of the memories down a bit. I’ve still got all the good stuff in my heart where it matters most.
And speaking of milestones, my little sister is celebrating a big one, so I played around with some AI music and created a short chorus for her. I made it to just โMy Little Sisterโ so my readers can download it for their little sister’s birthdays as well if they like. Here are the lyrics…
Happy birthday to you sister,
The best little sister I adore.
I celebrate with you, little sister.
Have a great birthday...
And many, many more!
And here is the sound track…
And because I love the Holy Word of God so much, I even found a birthday Bible study to share with her and you all. Just go to Bible.com to find it with this link:http://bible.com/r/ADb which should take you to a study called A Birthday Card from Your Creator (A 7-Day Devotional).
Psalms 139:14 CSB
[14] I will praiseย you because I have been remarkably andย wondrouslyย made.ย , Your works are wondrous, and I know this veryย well.ย
https://bible.com/bible/1713/psa.139.14.CSB
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Jelly Bean Sisters
I think this knitted filter in Wombo is one of the coolestโor at least the most funโfilter I’ve used. With a few trials of different filters, one image was the winner until I looked more closely and noticed the wacky steering wheel in the car. I tried covering it up with the frame, and maybe you wouldn’t even notice unless it’s pointed out, but it was an excuse to put up the adorable knitted girls. But here, you can see for yourselves…
But, hey, why am I using this picture at all? You’ve got to be wondering at least a little, right? Simple: April 22nd is National Jelly Bean Day. While everyone else is busy talking about the earth, I was enjoying a memory of a day with my little sister; a fun day before stress manipulation words like โglobal warmingโ were even in our vocabulary. We were grown-up women, but we still knew how to be silly and make each other laugh.
I don’t even remember why we were in the car in the grocery store parking lot that day. Were we waiting for someone? Waiting for an appointment? Or just sampling some of the gourmet jelly beans we had just purchased? (Yes, those gourmet jelly beans! Yay for Jelly Bellyยฎ.) Whatever the reason for our being there, we were using our time to read the recipe card that comes with the jelly beans. Some of the tastes are wonderful, but some… Yikes! Let’s just say that if one of us made a face or a spitting sound from something we didn’t like, the other one started laughing about it.
And that’s where it starts. Something makes one of us laugh. ๐ Then, the sound of that laugh makes the other one of us laugh. ๐ And that sound affects the other one until we’re both totally doubled over with laughter until we’re crying. It’s an out-of-control moment that relieves stress and cements sisterly bonds. ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐๐๐๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Living miles apart means we don’t get those days as often anymore, but I’ve smiled through almost every word of this blog post because it’s such a wonderful memory for me. And, no, buttered popcorn jelly beans are not bad, but it is a weird sensation to taste butter and salt but be chewing something gooey at the same time. If you can eat sugar, go get yourself a mixed set with a recipe card and go crazy with experimenting. I wish I could still do that, but since I can’t, at least I have an excuse not to try those new game flavors like vomit and dirty socks. ๐คข
Just a couple reminders from God’s Holy Word…
Psalm 126:2 BSB
[2] Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, โThe Lord has done great things for them.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.126.2.BSB
Genesis 21:6 BSB
[6] Then Sarah said, โGod has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/gen.21.6.BSB
Ecclesiastes 9:7 BSB
[7] Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine* with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:
https://bible.com/bible/3034/ecc.9.7.BSB
*Note: Jelly Bellyยฎ even made some wine/champagne flavors, but I'm not sure what is available now. Here is a list of (possibly) all their flavors, including retired ones, at the Fandom website: https://jellybelly.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Flavors
And now that you know joy and laughter are found in Scripture, here’s two more about pleasant taste…
Psalm 34:8 BSB
[8] Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.34.8.BSB
Psalm 119:103 BSB
[103] How sweet are Your words to my tasteโ sweeter than honey in my mouth!
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.119.103.BSB
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๐ต Holy, Pure, and Undefiled (Full Song)๐ถ
It’s done, and I’m excited to share it with my readers. This is the finished song with 3 verses added to the chorus I shared on the post April 18th. I’m not sure what was harder, writing the lyrics, getting a sound I like from Gemini (Lyria model), or getting this uploaded to YouTube so I could embed it here. Though difficult and time-consuming, I actually enjoyed the process, and now I’m excited to try a bunch more of my poetry set to music. What a fun way to write for the joy of The Lord, and then to make a joyful noise.
1 John 1:4 BSB
[4] We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/1jn.1.4.BSB
Psalm 100:1-2 BSB
[1] A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. [2] Serve the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.100.1-2.BSB
I won’t bore you with a ton of details, but there have been some great lessons learned. Part of the learning felt like being in the music studio redoing tracks until they didn’t have any more hiccups. I heard Elvis was famous for doing that hundreds of times. And Marty Robbins was able to go into the studio and sing a song to perfection at the first take. (I’m sure you know who Elvis was, but if you’re not familiar with Marty, look up his album called Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs for some you might find familiar like โEl Pasoโ and โCool Water.โ Or you might remember him for โA White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation.โ)
And that was a fun rabbit trail. Lol ๐คฃ Anyway, to get the recording with which I was finally happy, it took coming back after I ran out of credits, and it took using multiple AI models. The Pro model didn’t want to help once it saw religious lyrics (I’m sad for that part), but the fast model that helps with a lot of Bible queries from me said it’s just how it’s trained. So, I let the fast model create the prompt with all the right spaces and breaks and punctuation to tell the Lyria model how to sing my words. AI knows AI, so the understanding was finally there to get my song, complete with ending tags (though it could’ve done a little better on that part), and a big orchestra & choir sound. The more I’ve played it, the more I’ve liked it.
And the last piece to the puzzle was finding out that Adobe Express would listen to the video and create captions in time with the music. I had to change some font sizes and boldness within the parameters of not having Adobe premium, but I was able to get them done in a way that should help y’all sing along. So, here for its debut blog performance, please enjoy Holy, Pure, and Undefiled with Lyrics by me and all the rest by Gemini and Lyria…
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๐ต Whisper A Prayer
Recently, I did a Bible study that had a devotion for each day, and part of that devotion was a daily breath prayer. At first, I was a little concerned about the possibility of mysticism or that it was some new age idea. So, I did some research. Apparently, the idea of breath prayers goes back to at least the 1300s, and it is a way to uphold the Scripture that says to โpray without ceasing.โ These prayers are short words that can be spoken with an inhale and an exhale, or in your mind in the same amount of time.
Psalms 150:6 WEBUS
[6] Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
https://bible.com/bible/206/psa.150.6.WEBUS
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 WEBUS
[16] Always rejoice. [17] Pray without ceasing.
https://bible.com/bible/206/1th.5.16-17.WEBUS
There’s a great article explaining โbreath prayersโ with history and examples at Christianity dot com written by Mary Oelerich-Meyer. She mentions in her article that the English word inspiration comes from the Latin word โinspirareโ which means โto breathe into.โ That makes the verse that says โAll Scripture is God-breathed,โ have a much deeper and more powerful meaning.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEBUS
[16] Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, [17] that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
https://bible.com/bible/206/2ti.3.16-17.WEBUS
It’s easiest to remember breath prayers by praying Scriptures or songs. For example, inhale saying, โThe Lord is my Shepherd,โ and exhale with, โI shall not want.โ Or, inhale with, โThank You, Lord,โ and exhale saying, โfor saving my soul.โ Anything that helps you whisper (breathe) a prayer in the morning, at noon, and in the evening like it says in the old hymn Whisper A Prayer. The song (one of my childhood favorites) reminds us that we can pray all the time, and God will answer all the time to โkeep your heart in tune.โ And we want to keep our hearts in tune because we know that Jesus may come in the morning, at noon, or in the evening.
So, I wanted a good way to remember some breath prayers for myself, and after trying different memory tricks, I decided to use the letters in my own first name as an acronym. I liked creating them so much that I wrote a bunch of prayers for others as well and now call them Breath Prayer Acronyms. And then I started putting them on pretty backgrounds to send to others who might need โinspiration.โ For example, for the friend with cancer I’ve asked readers to pray for and his caregiving wife. The images I made for them are at the bottom after the video. There’s also an image I made using the letters for our writer’s group.
But first, here are the prayers for my own name without using an image background. And if you comment that you’d like me to write a breath prayer acronym for your name, I’ll gladly try. If I don’t know you, I’m not certain how it will come out since personalities and needs have ended up in all the acronyms I’ve written so far, but God could inspire me to write exactly what works for you without knowing anything about you. He does that sometimes. ๐ Anyway, here’s mine…
C: Inhale: Create in me …
Exhale: A clean heart, Lord.
R: Inhale: Rose of Sharon, …
Exhale: May Your beauty flow through my soul.
Y: inhale: You are worthy, Lord, …
Exhale: Of all my praise.
S: Inhale: Save me, oh God, …
Exhale: For your Divine purpose.
T: Inhale: Teach me Your ways, …
Exhale: Your words and Your will.
A: Inhale: All of me, Jesus, …
Exhale: Wrap in all of You.
L: Inhale: Love is greatest …
Exhale: In who You are.
And here’s a video of Whisper A Prayer…
And here are the promised images…
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๐ตThe Artist and The Artisan
Have you ever wondered the difference in these two words? (Artist and Artisan?) When I did a search for the differences, I expected simple definitions, but apparently, there are a lot of people who think about this, so there were lots of sites and answers out there.
My query followed some Bible study from a Torah portion in the book of Exodus and chapter 35. It’s all about the creation and building of the wilderness tabernacle, and this portion details the gifted creators who contributed to both the beauty and the function of this place of worship. Here are a few verses from The Complete Jewish Bible...
Sh'mot (Exo) 35:31-33 CJB
[31] He has filled him with the Spirit of God โ with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry. [32] He is a master of design in gold, silver, bronze, [33] cutting precious stones to be set, woodcarving and every other craft.
https://bible.com/bible/1275/exo.35.31-33.CJB
The basic difference is in the use of the objects designed by either artist or artisan. I am far more artist than artisan because I create for viewing enjoyment rather than utilitarian purposes. One site says an artist is a creative soul who uses both skill and imagination, and an artisan is a professional craftsman who uses their expertise to create functional objects. Another site gave a good example by comparing a cake decorator with a cake baker. So neither artist nor artisan is better, and function works well with presentation if the two work together.
For the picture above, I asked Wombo to show two children playing with blocks and have one painting and the other carving. I like how it added the intricately carved blocks for the child painter, and both of them are having fun in their individual pursuits. And I wonder if the environment around the tabernacle was like the two kiddos. God gave different people gifts based on what they should contribute to the building, and one of them was skilled at almost everything. Another one, God gave the ability to teach skills to others. All of them together created a wonderful place to meet with, and worship, The Holy Creator and Lord. What a great, and still utilitarian, purpose for creativity and wisdom.
As an FYI for you, if you read all about this building, you’ll get to those descriptions about tanned ram skins and fine leather. I haven’t done the research myself, but I once heard a message about those skins and the leather not looking very good, especially when compared to the purple, blue, scarlet, and gold on the inside of the tabernacle. The message was called โThe Beauty of The Uglyโ and it was all about how our greatest beauty is on the inside where the presence of God dwells. The preacher said that if people came up from the outside, they’d see these red skins and smell the burning hair and flesh from the altar, and it wouldn’t have attracted them much. Oh, but if they stayed until they could pull the flaps back and look inside… Gold and beauty like you’ve never seen!
Our Creator is both artist and artisan. He has designed beautiful things that have yet to even enter into the imaginations of mankind. If we see hard things in this life that make living on Earth, or serving The Creator, seem like that view from outside the tabernacle, we just have to wait for Him to pull back the flap to show us what’s inside. What a wonderful hope and thought to know He has so much prepared beyond anything we can even conceiveโno matter how much of an artist or artisan we are. ๐จ
1 Corinthians 2:9 CSB
[9] But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived โ God has prepared these things for those who love him.
https://bible.com/bible/1713/1co.2.9.CSB
And this seems to be the perfect time to use the song โI Can Only Imagineโ by Mercy Me.
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๐ต Computerized Music Studio ๐ถ
Can a computer really create its own music? I somehow qualified for a trial of Gemini Pro, and I’ve just learned that I can plug in some lyrics and have it create a music track and vocals. Now it’s not like in the old days of AI origins (just a couple years ago, lol ๐) where all image requests were totally distorted, but it does get a few things wrong on the vocals, and sometimes it has technical glitches. I guess it’s all part of my cyber journey. But I had some good experience and fun while working on these, and I even felt a little like I was in the studio with a band trying to get a track just right. While I’ve never truly enjoyed being on stage, I’ve always loved the studio experience.
So, back in 2013, I wrote a chorus that was part of a prayer. I wrote how I longed for God to see me as pure, holy, and undefiled. I’ve sung it to God many times because it’s where I desire to be, and where I desire to come back to when the cares of this life have distracted me. Here are the lyrics to the chorus…
Holy, pure, and undefiled,
Let my heart and my mind be...
Holy, pure and undefiled,
Lord may I be more like Thee.
The AI cannot use the tune I created myself, but since I’m more of a lyricist than a musician, I decided to let it choose the tunes for me. Now I guess I have to learn my own song. Lol ๐ Here are two 30-second videos with the lyrics set to different music tunes and styles…
When I asked Gemini (Google’s AI) to add some music for me, it wanted to know a style. I started with an anthem sound, and I love what it created.
And then I asked for the same chorus with a country sound and a male vocalist. I liked this one a lot as well.
Finally, I decided to write some verses to go with the chorus, but there were things that didn’t work in every video until I ran past my limit on generations of new songs. I guess it’s about 50 of the short ones and only 10 of the long (3-minute) ones, so I’ll have to wait until it fully resets to try it again. When it does, I’ll create a new post, and then I’ll put a link here for anyone who follows this one. I’d love to hear your thoughts, though.
Psalm 98:4 BSB
[4] Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth โ let your cry ring out, and sing praises!
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.98.4.BSB
Find the complete song with 3 verses and new music and vocals on my post from April 22nd titled Holy, Pure, and Undefiled.
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My Own Creative Muse
Like the character Cameo in yesterday’s story, I feel like I have the voice of a โmuseโ in my mind that drives me to create. Unlike Cameo, I haven’t turned away from that voice completely, though I’ve gone through dry spells. Maybe that’s why the story came to me and made me examine the relationship between our thought lives and our real lives. And if you ever battle with the still, small voice like Elijah, maybe Cameo’s journey will be enjoyable for you as well.
Though it’s not time to share more of her story yet, I want to share just a little from recent creative endeavors. The above photo is a close-up from the first good blooms on an azalea plant hubby got for me a few years ago. He did the research to find out what would make it grow, and it paid off well. I’m thrilled with the plant and with the pictures. I added a sparkly frame on this one because I knew how it would affect the images I got from Wombo Dream AI. Get ready for a barrage of pink and full instructions for any why might want to try designing images in Wombo.
So my first stop was to their browser page because they recently updated it with a new โeditโ button. You can upload an image, and then tell it how you want it edited. Maybe you want the flowers in purple or the sky in green. Put your thoughts in the prompt box, and let it go to work. I told it I wanted the image in stained glass. The outputs were the same in the app as in the browser, so here are some from the app before I added the frame…
You can visit the website without downloading the app, so you can make your own fun edits at https://dream.ai/ and click on the โStart Creatingโ button. On the creation page, you can use my prompt (below) if you like, or create your own. When you add a prompt, you’ll notice a button that says enhance. That button will add some fancy extra prompts that are well trained into the AI. Once you have the prompt you want, it’s time to select a filter. Anything that doesn’t say โPremiumโ is okay to use. The latest filters are V4, and the V3 filters also work well. Once your filter is selected, you can choose generate to make your picture. It will download with a watermark if you don’t have premium, but it’s not bad and may be able to be cropped out in another program if it really bothers you. Here’s the prompt…
Turn these beautiful magenta azaleas into a stained glass window.
This is just the beginning of what you can do. You’ll notice you have image sizes to choose from in case you want to make a phone wallpaper size or a Facebook header size. And then you can look toward the bottom for the browse button where you can upload your own image. Or mine if you’ve downloaded it. That’s why I make most of my images Creative Commons. At some point, the page may ask you to create an account in order to download your images. I’m not sure if the gallery to store your images comes with every account, or only on the app, but having lost a number of gallery photos when they crashed last year, I recommend actually saving your favorites to a permanent location.ย
Now, because I’m a fan of abstract creations, there is a V2 filter I go to often. I’ll share the collage and prompt for that, and I hope to hear from readers that you’ve tried this for yourself and had as much fun with it as I do. The prompt (for use with the image at the top and with their enhanced additions) is…
Turn this into a beautiful stained glass window with the original magenta pink azalea and pink glitter frame colors intact. Intricate lead lines separating vibrant glass pieces, sunlight streaming through to cast colorful reflections, delicate floral motifs surrounding the azalea, subtle gradients blending pinks and purples, the window set against a softly illuminated stone wall, enhanced by shimmering highlights on the glitter frame that catch the light at different angles.
And here are the images…
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๐A Muse in Mourning
I was searching for something else when I came across an old story I’d drafted but not edited in 2013 for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writer’s Month, which hasโsadlyโshut down for good). I’m thinking of finishing it, so I thought I’d get some opinions and thoughts from readers here. Please comment and share your reactions and ideas to the opening page of chapter 1 for my novel A Muse in Mourning. Thanks!
She just isnโt listening anymore. I’ve tried everything: the soft whisper of an idea, the steady hum of a conversation, and finally, the shrill scream of a shout. I believe I’ve exhausted every trick a muse has to get her subject’s attention, but the signal seems dead. She can’tโor won’tโhear me anymore.
Six months ago, when her father left her mother and sister and she moved back home to help, I felt Cameo begin to pull away from me. Between busy and exhausted, her mind had no time for even a tiny jewel of creative thought. I fought for her. I am a relentless fighter. But she started turning a deaf ear to my ideas; to my voice. It wasnโt just silence either; it was a thickening of the air, like a sorrowful fog had engulfed her. Now, there is no more resonance. There is just the heavy, quiet of a room where no one speaks. What am I supposed to do when the very expression of my being has buried herself in such deep grief and sadness?
We were born into this world as a pair, an ancient spark of creativity, and a brand-new heart filled with creative potential. We are the same thing, just experienced from different sides. But now sheโs letting the fire go out just to keep her motherโs mourning company. She is trying to be a good daughter, but at what cost to herself? If she refuses to listen to my voice, she will calcify. Sheโll become a monument to the girl she used to beโher mind becoming an unworkable stone with no creative spark; a relic of a daughter instead of a living, breathing woman. And if she settles into that lifeless state, I flicker out.
A week ago, I couldn’t take the distance anymore. I abandoned the edges of her mind and got right in her ear. “Cameo!” I screamed, my voice breaking. “Please, just hear me.” I was crying by then, begging her to feel the pulse of the heart we share. “Write, Cameo. Just pick up a pen. Draw a stick figure. Anything to bridge the gap between us. Don’t just bury your face in the glow of that screen to escape the shadows of this house. You bought that device to build a world, not to hide from this one. Your life depends on it.”
I added the last part in a ragged whisper: “And so does mine.”
So, do you want to know more? Does the title and opening page grab you and stir your curiosity? Does the story of a caregiver being too worn out to be creative resonate with any of you?
I have so many books and stories started, and they tumble around in my mind making sure I won’t forget them. But sometimes, one pops up unexpectedly and begs me to work on it. And now I invite you to join me on the journey.
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A Way (to Play) with Words
Since I’m in a poetry vein for April, I thought I’d create a decorated word tile poem from Magnetic Poetryยฎ and show you how I do it.
First, go visit the Magnetic Poetryยฎ Online website at https://magneticpoetry.com/pages/play-online
Once there, you’ll click one of the boxes to choose the set of tiles you want to work with. They are just like the ones you can get for home except that you won’t drop one and lose it until you find it under the refrigerator years later. ๐ You can choose from โOriginal Kit,โ โPoet Kit,โ โMustache Poet,โ or โNature Poetโ on the front page. Once you select your kit and go to the play page, they’ve also added โLoveโ and โGeekโ to the selections.
On that page, you’ll have a myriad of words to play with. In addition to regular words, you’ll also notice the s, ing, r, es, and other endings you may need to create the right tense of your poetic lines. You’ll notice my โyou + rโ to make โyourโ in the above image, and the combining of in and to for โintoโ in one line. It’s a little bit of work lining them up (in real life kits as well), but it’s part of the creative fun. Also, the pile of word tiles you see is not all that’s available. You’ll see a button to add more words at the bottom, and it will give you a whole different batch from the same kit.
After you’ve played and created some fun lines, you can save and share it if you’re willing to give them your name and email address. If you plan to order any poetry tiles for home, you’ll likely give that to them anyway unless you choose to order from another source like Amazon. If you want to do what I did, just screenshot the whole page. But, before you do that, I recommend you move the piles of unused tiles as far away as possible, so you’ll have plenty of room for cropping your final image.
Once I’ve got my screenshot, I open the image in the Photo Studio Pro app. I can’t tell you how other programs/apps work yet because that’s all I’ve played with so far. In the app, I crop out all the extraneous page info and save just the white background with black-on-white words. It’s not bad just like that, but I like pretty papers and stuff, so my next step is to use the app’s blend menu to create a background. They have a lot of gorgeous designs to choose from, or you can choose your own images or browse an online page from Pixabay public domain images. You can even have their AI design a background for you. And then, you’ll just use the slider to make the image as dark or light as you want with your words.
Here is a collage of my screenshot, then cropped, then blended image…
I saved my original cropped image as a โprojectโ in the app, so I can go back and play with different backgrounds if I want. And there you have it; a way to play with words. I’d love to see your creations if this technique works for you. Maybe I can create a group on Flickr (my favorite photo site) just for people doing the online poetry tiles. Now, go play with words.
Here’s one more quick set of small ones I made recently…
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๐ต The Poetry of Poetry: And the Biblical Rhythms that Never Fade
Every April, while I’m finding excitement in it being National Poetry Month, I’m hearing many โI hate poetryโ voices–even from my fellow writers. But I don’t think it’s poetry they hate. If they read God’s Word, they are reading poetry in a lot of it, especially the Psalms. If they listen to music, they are listening to the meter and rhyme of poetry. I think it’s the abstract and flowery ideas often found in poetry that they feel resistant to; not the idea of rhythmic words.
Poetry is to words what a kaleidoscope is to bits of colorful glass. When tumbled together in the presence of mirrors and light, the pieces in the kaleidoscope can present an image that will stop you in your tracks and take your breath away. And the same thing can happen when you read a poem that captures words with precise rhythms you can feel like a song.
In biblical poetry, the use of parallelism (like mirrors in a kaleidoscope) creates a cadence that works as a mnemonic to help you remember the words and their meanings long after you’ve closed the book. It’s why so many Scriptures can easily move into song — the music is already within the words.
So today, I invite you to look more deeply into the idea of poetry. Look at why the rules of meter and rhyme (the musical elements) of a poem matter for both writers and readers. Ignore the idea that every poem is by a creator who abuses artistic license (though there are plenty) and let yourself enjoy the poetry that surrounds you in so many ways. Even nature with its mirrored flower petals and fractalized seashells displays itself as a poem without words. So, if you understand the technology and technique behind it, you’ll understand and admire the poetry of it.
There is an unspoken symmetry in the words that click with our spirits. It’s like the broken pieces in a kaleidoscope lining up to become a star, sparkling with unexpected beauty. My article, โThe Poetry of Poetryโ (1300+ reads at Scribd.com) is your invitation to open up the kaleidoscope and look at the mechanics behind the design. The exact placement of the mirrors and where light is invited in can completely change the reflections of the glass. You’ll learn the mechanics of poetry in what I’ve put together, and it will help you see how a poet can use words and rhythms to create reflections that pull you into the vision of the piece.
Download the PDF of The Poetry of Poetry
And, finally, enjoy this beautiful version of Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy) by Shane and Shane. This will give you biblical poetry with the mathematics of perfect harmonies. For me, this song with lyrics was easy to sing, and it brought more than one moment of tears.
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๐ตThe Closer You Get
We had a pleasant writer’s group meeting with some beautiful poetry to celebrate April as National Poetry Month, and a wonderful devotion by my hubby. He shared a bit of the life and songs of Fanny J Crosby from her autobiography, and we shared some of our own life slices to know how to pray for each other. And since it’s been a long day with all that, I’m going to add one of her songs that goes well with the Scripture on the pretty spring image above and bid you all blessings on your Sunday and upcoming week. May you get closer to The Lord this week, and may you sense Him drawing closer to you.
Psalm 145:18 AMPC
[18] The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.
https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.145.18.AMPC
Hebrews 10:22 YLT98
[22] may we draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having the body bathed with pure water;
https://bible.com/bible/821/heb.10.22.YLT98
James 4:8 BSB
[8] Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/jas.4.8.BSB
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๐ต Savage Grace Release Day!
(All Rights Reserved)
I’ve listened to the song multiple times now, and it’s got great lyrics, vocals, and music. Super proud of my brother!
As I promised from his story in yesterday’s post, I’m bringing my readers the video release and some links where you can get a copy for yourself. If you are a radio listener, you’re welcome to ask your local Christian station to give it some airplay as well. Help me help him make this a great release week with lots of interest.
So first, here’s the link from YouTube…
Next, here’s his website info where you can find his Facebook and Instagram pages, check out some of his merch, and sign up for his newsletter… https://www.shaynesavage.com/ And while you’re there, I recommend a scroll to his Liner Notes (blog) for some perspective posts. The latest post is all about the difference in faith and trust. Go directly to that one by visiting the next link…
I’d love some comments here, or if you stop by his Facebook page, please tell him you found out about him from his big sister. ๐ Enjoy the music, and thanks for letting me have a little time to promote this talented musician and singer.
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Grace by DNA Story–About Shayne
It all started one Valentine’s Day in 2018. A life-changing blessing with a journey that still continues.
Back in the early 2000s, hubby found a company that did DNA to look for genealogical connections. I was happy when he found a few cousins and wanted the same experience. But they didn’t do women’s DNA. Fast forward to Ancestry DNA, and they did. So my gift was the test kit, though I was really hesitant to spit in that tube. That hesitancy pushed me to the middle of the year, but I think the timing was perfect.
Shortly after my results came in, hubby was viewing the site since we had it in his name, and he told me, โYou’ve got a message on Ancestry that I think you’re gonna want to see.โ And there was this beautiful message from someone Ancestry said could be a very close cousin or grandchild. What? I’m thinking, wait I’ve already seen how the numbers look for my first cousins, and these numbers are way higher. I did some quick research to see how the stats work on DNA, and ours were more likely to be half-siblings. I’d met my other half-siblings, so this new connection was both confusing and exciting.
I wrote back right away and told this new relative that I thought he was likely my brother, and I’d be so excited to get to know him better. Then I called my half-sister in Texas and told her I thought we had another brother. There’d been a bit of distance between my dad and I for a few years (that’s a whole ‘nother story), so she called him to ask if we had another brother. At first, he said we didn’t, so I checked with his brother, my uncle, and he said he wasn’t even in Arizona during that year. Now this called for prayer. In the meantime, we spoke on the phone, and I learned that he’d been adopted as an infant and had never met anyone to whom he was blood related.
Fast forward to May of 2019, and Shayne, with his wife Heather, were on their way from Canada to the US for our first meeting. That’s the first image above, but the airport background wasn’t pretty, so I replaced it. Hubby made them the welcome sign they’re holding and has been a huge support as God has expanded this territory in my life. It would take too many words to tell you all we discovered about each other, but it was so neat every time Heather would notice similarities and state, โOh, you guys are definitely brother and sister!โ Though he’s a bit bolder as you can see by his fishtank antics. ๐
We met again in October of 2019 in Nashville, and shortly after that, I was able to fix things with my dad enough to get a phone call from him and then plan a visit to see him and his wife. During those calls and visits, I was able to tell him all he was missing by not acknowledging this son of his, and I quoted him a Bible verse to dissuade some of the guilt he may have been fighting about not having been there all his life. Of course, he was excused because of not knowing about Shayne, but I still wanted him to feel like God showed favor to him because of children he had fathered–not necessarily children he had always raised. That verse is…
Psalm 127:4-5 BSB
[4] Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in oneโs youth. [5] Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/psa.127.4-5.BSB
Now forward to November when Hubby and I were able to get a stay in Branson, Missouri, for ourselves and my sister and brother-in-law. She’s the one with whom I share both parents, and we were raised together for most of our growing up time. We all went together to the small Missouri town where our dad lived with his bride of 10 years, Cheryl. We had a wonderful visit with both of them, and we left with encouragement for our dad to contact Shayne. On Christmas Day of 2019, my brother heard his father’s voice for the very first time. (happy tears)
All the wheels were put in motion for Shayne to meet his (our) father after the winter weather let go in Canada, but that was 2020, so you know what happened there. Borders couldn’t have been shut any tighter. And again, we all went to prayer. In the meantime, I lost a very dear aunt in Arizona who was like a mom to me and my sister. That was just before the lockdown, and it filled the year with chaos and stress. Meanwhile, a good friend was watching her mom struggle with Alzheimer’s, and I was trying to be supportive of her. A crazy year but God’s presence sustained all of us.
Sometime in the late summer of 2020, my brother was able to find a way to get him and his wife Heather across the Canadian border. And they drove down to meet Dad. I was getting the play-by-play and so excited for both of them. Almost a week later, I got a call from the friend whose mom was struggling offering to take me to Missouri to see my brother and my dad. I will never be able to pay that gift back, and I’m forever grateful for the moments she gave our family before Dad left this world. And the miracle of timing for my brother to meet his father and our father to meet his son. (melt)
Again, there’s so much more to tell (which is why I want to write the Grace by DNA book), including the fact that I got another sister out of the deal because Heather and I also shared a lot of similarities–especially about spiritual things. So I’ll close this here by telling you why I chose to share all of this today. It’s because tomorrow’s blog will be all about a big event for my brother, and I’m super proud of him. He is releasing his first single from what will be his first album. I’ll share his website and teaser for tonight, and all the release stuff, including why he chose his particular performer name, tomorrow.
This YouTube page has links to Shayne’s website (where you can sign up for his newsletter), Facebook, Spotify, and Instagram…
https://youtube.com/@shaynesavagemusic?si=j2u8FhzTK-7x8PjG
And here’s the teaser from his Insta post…
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๐ตPhoto Walking
What’s the most fun way to exercise?
Daily Prompt by Day One
If I can get myself out the door with a camera around my neck, I tend to enjoy the steps I get a little more. A trip–back in 2022–to Azalea Path in Indiana is my favorite of all time. I’ve been there more than once, but that year, we just seemed to arrive during the best color display I’ve seen there. Here’s a collage of some of the captures from that day, all straight out of the camera (SOOC). It was cloudy, so I used a higher color setting, but I was very happy with a few of the shots out of 1200+ I captured. I especially love the ones with waterfalls.
ยฉ 2022-2026 (All Rights Reserved)
And even though these are not lilies, this reminder from the words of YahShua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ The Messiah) are a fitting comfort that goes well with such an array of colors.
Luke 12:27-28 BSB
[27] Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. [28] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.12.27-28.BSB
And since I used that verse, well, I might as well share the beautiful song with the same words, right?
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With This Wing, I Thee Wed
Nope, that’s not a typo. It’s what either me or hubby said on our wedding day 35 years ago. I know I tried to put his ring on the wrong hand, though. Lol ๐ But despite starting with a few mistakes, today makes 35 years of being dedicated to each other in marriage.
Our first celebrations were a little bigger, like his showing up at my job in a suit and carrying flowers on our first anniversary. Health and age can slow ya down a bit, but we are still happy together, and a simple meal out while wearing more comfy clothes is just fine with both of us.
Hubby doesn’t know yet (until he reads this post), but I made a list of 35 special thoughts about our 35 years together. These are the things that stand the test of time in my brain, and they are the thoughts that keep me wanting to stay together (for another 35 years) as long as possible…
35 Thoughts on 35 Years
1. โMy Valentine's Day was 2 days ago.โ (See my post When God Plans a Meet Cute for the story);
2. Talking to my Aunt Shirley on the phone. (She knew I'd be moving to Kentucky after a few conversations with him.)
3. He started praying while driving through a scary snow storm
4. He made me a house key with "I โค๏ธ U" etched into it.
5. Taking me to meet his brother at his job when he first met me in person.
6. My wedding day with Esther (his family friend who knew him all his life) performing our ceremony and almost crying as she saw his happiness.
7. Taking me downtown in my wedding dress to see his sister at the hospital where she worked as a nurse.
8. Taking me to my family in Arizona for our honeymoon.
9. When my Grandpa met him and then introduced him to a neighbor as his grandson. (Like he knew right away that he was right for me forever.)
10. Our first trip to Cave Hill Cemetery to feed the ducks (and see Colonel Sanders grave).
11. Our first Thunder Over Louisville.
12. My birthday gift of Oreos in a flower tube with a carnation on top.
13. My 30th birthday when he dressed up as โgrim reaperโ and took me to lunch at the downtown galleria.
14. Taking me to see the hospital where I was born. (And announcing on the video he was recording that the most wonderful girl in the world was born there.)
15. Big bunches of balloons for many special days.
16. A sign that says, โI know what love is because of you.โ (See it on Flickr.)
17. Lungs suctioned out joke: He had me believing his every word, so when he told me that people who move from dry climates to humid ones sometimes need their lungs suctioned out, it didn't seem impossible. They did it to my grandma due to cancer, and I was coughing up all kinds of yuck when he told me. But what made it funny was months later, on the phone with my uncle asking how I liked Kentucky, and I said, โWell, I haven't had to have my lungs stuffed suctioned out yet.โ I'll never forget his laugh as he asked, โWhat? You believed that?!โ
18. Taking our nephews and me to see where I went to middle school and to meet some of my family.
19. Many scavenger hunts including one where the final clue was taped to a brick then wrapped as a gift. I still have the glider rocker it led to 20+ years later.
20. My 50th birthday party with friends and a scavenger hunt of clues to get my next clue by figuring out which guest was being suggested.
21. Being a cat man (and bringing 14+ new kitties into my life).
22. Letting me go to Arizona for my aunt and for my mom when they needed me.
23. Providing me a home (and painting the kitchen yellow as a surprise).
24. My door of Valentine's conversation hearts. (Flickr pic with kitties and the door in the background.)
25. Wonderful travels to places like Gatlinburg, the Ark Encounter/Creation Museum, Branson Christmas, World's Largest Rocking Chair, and more.
26. Supporting my writing (including a few conferences).
27. Supporting my singing (even if the album never got released).
28. Getting my DNA that let me find a brother I never knew I had.
29. Making the welcome sign for my brother and sister-in-law when they came from Canada for us to meet for the first time.
30. My butterflies on the ceiling and many other butterflies, including wind up ones that jump out and flap that he kept hiding in my laptop. (Flickr pic.)
31. My garnet birthstone ring specially made by our friend, Mark. (He's the one battling thru chemo & radiation now, so please pray for him and his wife Debbie.)
32. Singing hymns and gospel music with me. I especially love our travel games when we try to name (and sing) a song for each letter of the alphabet.
33. Flying to Vegas when my mom passed, and also taking me to Missouri for my dad's funeral. Oh, and weeks off for a trip to Arizona when my Grandpa passed.
34. Matching Proverbs 18 T-shirts and many Blessed Girl shirts.
35. Fighting to get stronger to stay with me longer... Forever and 3 Days!
HAPPY 35TH ANNIVERSARY to my husband and the love of my life! ๐โจ๐
And there are so many more moments and memories in my heart and mind. Thank you readers for sharing my quick trip down a 35-year memory road (too long for a lane). Maybe you can make your own list of memories about someone that matters to you.
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๐ตA Little Purple Bliss
After all the heavy-on-theology posts of the last couple months, I think it’s time for a little purple playfulness. My irises started blooming, so while I was outside talking to a neighbor, I got some shots with my Pixel 9 phone camera. With a favorite selected, I went to Photo Studio Pro (by KVADGroup App Studio at Google Play Store) to crop and frame it, and then to my Mirror Lab app to create kaleidoscope designs. They were a little more dull than I liked, so I took a few of those designs to Wombo Dream AI and tried a few different filters for variety. Once I had a nice collection of images, I went back to Photo Studio Pro to put them into a collage with one of the Mirror Lab images as the frame background.
So there you have it. If you’re a purple lover, you should really enjoy this one. ๐ฃ ๐๐ช And just in case you REALLY like purple, here’s an article at the Houzz website with lots of pictures of purple kitchens: https://www.houzz.com/photos/purple-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~a_88-7?pg=5
And with that, I say goodnight and I hope you had fun during International Jumping Over Things Day.
Oh, and just because I can, I have to include this video of Sheb Wooley singing One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater…
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๐ตResurrection Redemption Revealed
On this Resurrection Day, celebrated as โEasterโ by most Christian churches, we focus on a Risen Savior who endured suffering on our behalf. The final and perfect Passover Lamb has said, “It is finished.” Between the crucifixion and the resurrection, The Lamb was not silent. He was using that blood offering to purchase the keys of hell and death to free anyone who truly wants what He offers. And now, He is risen!
A couple people guessed that yesterday I was talking about Barabbas. Did you figure it out, dear reader? Maybe, like me, you once learned that his name means โson of the father.โ The father in this word is not an earthly parent, but someone in a position of master or teacher, like a rabbi. So, Barabbas was likely a preacher’s kid. If you’ve raised your children right, but they don’t want to serve the God you taught them about, don’t give up even if they’ve been tried, convicted, and sentenced. God sees them.
As I studied and talked about Barabbas, a few more things came to light. For example, we don’t actually know the kind of person he was. Was he a notorious criminal because he committed multiple crimes with a bad and uncaring attitude? Or did they just take note of him because he was the son of a rabbi, and it gave them pleasure to take down one of God’s people? We’ve seen it in our modern media, so it’s not a stretch to think that could be possible. I even wondered if maybe the insurrection against the Romans was a religious one because Roman law was fundamentally changing the Torah practices within Israel. Like state laws that tried to prevent people from gathering to worship during the 2020 lockdowns, it’s possible that new Roman laws were hindering old biblical laws. And just maybe, Barabbas had read enough of the sacred writings of the law and prophets that he was trying to imitate them by taking out the โenemiesโ in that insurrection before they could put his people back into bondage again. And then someone got killed.
We don’t know what drove him to the behaviors that landed him in jail and headed for the death penalty. But, we do know that God didn’t change his identity, and his name was even more important than the rich man in hell whose name was never given. And we know, as Gemini pointed out to me, that Barabbas is the only person in history who could say in a literal physical sense, โJesus Christ died for me.โ
I’m sure I’m not alone in always seeing Barabbas as just a โvillainโ in the Passion Story. But what if he’s more? What if this is another one of those things that are small to us but significant to God? Planned. Ordained. And with deeper meaning than most of us realize. Regardless of his crimes, his name Bar-Abba was a constant reminder of his identity and where he came from. Now, he was being given a second chance. What would he do with it? Here’s my hopeful view…
While others followed Messiah YahShua because of His miracles and His teachings, Barabbas found the disciples later and joined them because he was driven to show thanks for the grace (unmerited favor) he’d been given. He knew Messiah paid a debt He didn’t owe, and he owed a debt he could never fully pay. His freedom wasn’t just a reset button that would allow him to go on as if none of his past had ever happened. The people knew. The relatives of the person who died at his hands knew. He knew. And that weight inside him could only be lightened if he did something of value with his freedom. So he would testify to others who felt hopeless. He would tell parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles to never stop praying because mercy creates miracles. He would follow the Man who died for him for the rest of his life.
This 1707 hymn โAt the Crossโ has lyrics Barabbas himself could have sung: Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon that tree? And then the final verse:
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.
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Proverbs 28: Fearful or Formidable
As soon as I started reading Proverbs Chapter 28, the first verse reminded me of a verse in The Torah (in Leviticus) about people being afraid of the sound of a skittering leaf. And another in Joshua supports the part of the verse about boldness. I’ll post all three together…
Proverbs 28:1 WEBUS
[1] The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.28.1.WEBUS
Leviticus 26:36 WEBUS
[36] โโAs for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword. They will fall when no one pursues.
https://bible.com/bible/206/lev.26.36.WEBUS
Joshua 1:9 WEBUS
[9] Havenโt I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Donโt be afraid. Donโt be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.โ
https://bible.com/bible/206/jos.1.9.WEBUS
There are more verses with similar messages, and they all point to the same basic idea: Life without The Lord is also without strength, promise, hope, or real peace. Life with The Lord includes these things and so much more. And while many pursue their own temporary pleasures, when that season passes, they’re left with an emptiness that echoes so loud, it creates heart-pounding fear. In writing about the difference without and with God, Paul said this to the converted (Messianic) Hebrews…
Hebrews 11:24-26 BSB
[24] By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaohโs daughter. [25] He chose to suffer oppression with Godโs people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. [26] He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.11.24-26.BSB
And if you want to do an even deeper dive into this first verse, I’ve just learned tonight how many fantastic study tools are available at the Bible Hub website. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/28-1.htm will take you to multiple translations of verse 1, and when you scroll down, you’ll find commentaries, teaching points, Bible study questions, and more. But be careful because all the study info includes sources to even more study info, and you could be reading for a long time if you love God’s Word. The link I provide with each post at the top has a lot of study on the whole chapter as well.
The rest of this chapter talks about riches, power, and poverty. It’s all good advice, and its messages have proven true in the test of time, especially where it speaks of how leadership (good and bad) affects a community. Like verse 4 that says (my paraphrase) those who leave lawfulness behind end up praising the wicked, but the law abiding end up in arguments with the wicked. Yes, it is normal to find contention with those who refuse to give God the honor He deserves. And it’s much better to stand boldly for God’s ways than to end up like the person in verse 9…
Proverbs 28:9 WEBUS
[9] He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.28.9.WEBUS
While I spent a good portion of time following verses and word studies, I also spent my fair share of time playing with different filters on the prompt for today’s picture. So now, just for fun, I’ll end with the adorable image I got using the knitting filter.
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๐ตProverbs 22: Self-Pottering Much?
I’m keeping this one short to allow readers to just enjoy the many wacky images in the collage. You can read all of Proverbs Chapter 22 at Bible Hub in the Berean Standard Bible (or change to a different version once you’re there) by clicking on the highlighted words.
My focus is on verse 2…
Proverbs 22:2 WEBUS
[2] The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.22.2.WEBUS
And I want to add the verse from Isaiah 64:8…
Isaiah 64:8 WEBUS
[8] But now, Yahweh, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter. We all are the work of your hand.
https://bible.com/bible/206/isa.64.8.WEBUS
I chose these to follow up on the Potter topic from yesterday about letting God remake our hearts. And the reason He can remake them is because He knows the original mold and how it was intended to come out. So when we see Him as our Creator, Maker, Father, etc., we can trust that we are, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made as He designed.
But so often, we think we know best. Like a teenager who thinks they know everything about life, and parents know nothing, we all have our moments where we are certain our own way is better. An abundance of the Proverbs were written to warn people to avoid that kind of thinking.
Back in 2024, I wanted to see what Wombo would do with a prompt about a clay vessel trying to create itself. That’s where I came up with the term self-pottering to describe the effort of trying to make our lives perfect on our own and without God’s assistance or guidance. The crazy results in the collage, and especially the facial expressions, show the failure well. And for that reason, we want to pray for God’s perfect will above all else. That goes perfectly with the song Have Thine Own Way, Lord…
Pray with me for my desire to avoid self-pottering (and the anxieties that come with it) and keep the final verse active in my life:
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me
Christ only always, living in me! May it be your prayer, too.
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Proverbs 18: Finding Good โGodโ Things
(ยฉAll Rights Reserved)
You can see Proverbs Chapter 18 right in the picture, so it seemed like the perfect image for this post. And, yes, I know hubby doesn’t exactly have a โWow, I’ve really found something goodโ look, but in the original image, it’s obvious he’s in a lot of pain. So, the skin softening and background decor make it a little better. I tried the facial expression changer, and a fake smile definitely did not work for him. Lol ๐.
Anyway, the verse you see on this wonderful gift of shirts hubby got for us on our last anniversary is from 18:22 and reads…
Proverbs 18:22 WEBUS
[22] Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.22.WEBUS
As I opened my Bible app to read today’s chapter, I was shocked at how colorful it was from highlights I’d left with previous readings. I read in multiple versions, and most had a variety of colorful highlights already. A few examples of my highlights (which I will quote from the WEBUS version because it’s copyright-free and a bit easier to understand than King James Version but I’ve linked to both of them) are:
Blue highlights for verses that make me sad like…
Proverbs 18:2 WEBUS
[2] A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.2.WEBUS
That makes me sad because I’m a natural teacher, so a person who doesn’t have any desire to understand is also one who rejects teaching. Plus, I know what they’re missing out on by not having any willingness to at least investigate for themselves, especially with God’s Word.
I highlight in green for the verses I see as urging me or others to go forward and do something. Like these 2 verses that instruct how to hideย and seek…
Proverbs 18:10 WEBUS
[10] Yahwehโs name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.10.WEBUS
And
Proverbs 18:15 WEBUS
[15] The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.15.WEBUS
I use red highlights for warnings…
Proverbs 18:3 WEBUS
[3] When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.3.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:21 WEBUS
[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.21.WEBUS
And I do a lot of turquoise highlights for encouraging Scriptures. That’s a little harder with so many verses in Proverbs including both the good results of good behavior and the bad consequences of bad behaviors all in the same verses. But here are a few…
Proverbs 18:4 WEBUS
[4] The words of a manโs mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.4.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:16 WEBUS
[16] A manโs gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.16.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:20 WEBUS
[20] A manโs stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.20.WEBUS
And then I have a variety of yellow and orange and tan to remind me to study more or focus on certain verses. In The Bible App by YouVersion, when you highlight verses, they share to your community stream (if you allow that in settings), so it’s a great way to share what has affected you in your current studies. I often end up highlighting a verse I see highlighted by a friend because it may be in a version I haven’t read or they combined the verse with one that makes me consider it differently. I love that living aspect of God’s Word and highly recommend reading it for yourself to see how God speaks โgoodโ to you from His love letter of the ages.
I’ll close with a video of a song I’ve never heard before called โHappy the Home When God is Thereโ from 1846. This singer says, โHappy our homeโ and I liked it best for voices and the key on lyric videos.
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Proverbs 14: SEEMS Right vs IS Right
Whenever I’ve read verse 12 in Proverbs Chapter 14, I’ve always thought about it in terms I could relate to; my way of life before committing to walk with The Lord. It reads…
Proverbs 14:12 WEBUS
[12] There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.12.WEBUS
When I wasn’t living FOR God, I was not purposely living against Him. And I imagine there are many people out there who really think their ways are right, but they have no idea what kind of path they’re on. Of course, when God calls their attention to it, they will need to decide if they will accept or reject Him, but until their eyes are opened to see the end of their road, how can they know? That’s where believers come in.
We see these fruits, like a woman tearing down her family and her home, or a mocker refusing to take responsibility for his own behaviors and never trying to make things right by atoning for bad decisions. We get frustrated with these people because their destructive behaviors often hurt us or those we love. And it’s hard to feel compassion and love in our hearts for them. Even worse if they are arrogant as they pull the strings of destruction and act like they enjoy it.
But if those fruits of destruction are not waking up those who are causing them, should we just let them keep walking toward eternal death? No, we are given open eyes to see the paths when they cannot see for themselves. But, we are not given these eyes to condemn them, so we can feel better about ourselves. And we are not seeing those fruits, so we can take them away to make people feel better on their walk toward death. Instead, we see the truth, the way things really are, so we can warn them. And by our own testimonies, we can show them a better way.
We’re told in verse 25…
Proverbs 14:25 WEBUS
[25] A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.25.WEBUS
Again, it may not be easy when we share the truth because, even if we’re not judging, those stuck in their own ideas of what SEEMS right may feel judged and be angry with us. But it doesn’t mean they haven’t heard what we’ve shared. Verse 33 says ..
Proverbs 14:33 WEBUS
[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.33.WEBUS
Somewhere, deep inside, they know the truth that can set them free. In the best case scenario, we will share The Lord with them, and that inward part will be stirred to wake them up to salvation. And the icing on the cake is to be with them as they let go of their sins and accept The Lord.
But if you don’t see any change right away, don’t give up sharing, building, or praying. Remember, the enemy of our souls comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10), so with the strength of YahShua (Jesus) who came to bring abundant life, we can do the opposite. We can restore, bring life, and rebuild. That IS wisdom, and that is The Way that IS right.
And now, here’s a song by one of my favorite Cowboy Christian artists. It perfectly supports the message to never stop ministering to the lost with the line, โEverything you thought I never heard, I hung on to every single word.โ It’s called Daddy, I Met a Friend of Yours Today…
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Proverbs 13: You Are What Your Soul Eats
How do you feed a hungry soul? (Hah, you thought I was gonna say โmanโ there, didn’t you? ๐ And now you’re humming the TV dinner tune, right? ๐ถ Okay, maybe that’s just me.)
But, seriously, for all we’ve talked about hungering and thirsting for The Lord, we haven’t really discussed the care and feeding of that hunger and thirst. Solomon got it in a few verses of Proverbs Chapter 13. Like…
Proverbs 13:2-3, 19, 25 WEBUS
[2] By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
[3] He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
[19] Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
[25] The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.13.2-25.WEBUS
But there’s so much more depth to it, especially when you learn the meaning of the word soul in Scripture. The Bible Project guys do an amazing teaching on this subject. Watch the video from YouTube here on the blog, or go to their site where you can find all 6 videos in the Shema series plus read the transcripts or download them in PDF. The site is at https://bibleproject.com/videos/nephesh-soul/ and here’s the video…
Once you’ve learned the meaning of the word soul (Hebrew nephesh), go back to those four verses above and read them again. Spoiler: the word represents the complete essence of life in its fullest form. So when you read Psalm 42:1-2, you’ll see it as something like, As the desperately thirsty deer pants for the water, my whole life longs for You, Lord God. It desperately thirsts to be satisfied by The Living God. When can I come before Your Holy Presence again? And when you seek with that kind of longing and get filled up by The Lord Himself, you will wonder how you ever wanted anything less than that. And you will have just an inkling of how God feels and why He pursues us. The Got Questions site has a great article on the question โDoes God Pursue Us?โ
And now, enjoy this video of the song As the Deer…
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Proverbs 9: Folly’s Fatal Feast vs Wisdom’s Wonderful Welcome
When you’re hungry, even the bitter may taste sweet, so it’s the perfect opportunity for the enemy of your soul to show up with what looks like a tasty feast but is instead poisonous. Use discernment and not just eyesight to examine what you allow your mind and soul (and body) to consume.
Lady Wisdom is here for another visit in Proverbs Chapter 9. This time, in verses 1-6, we see her building a strong house and then preparing a tasty and nourishing feast. She invites whosoever will to join her for a meal. There is so much to offer that she’s sent others out with invitations, and even those who are simple-minded and lacking judgment are welcome to attend. Beyond sustenance, those who feast with her can leave their folly behind to live and walk in understanding.
In verses 7-9, Solomon breaks into a short lesson (maybe a quick rant) about the troubles you’ll have if you try to correct a mocker. Instead, he says, look for wise and righteous people to teach if you don’t want the stress of being hated for your message. While it is true we can see more pleasant fruit by looking for wise and open personalities to instruct in yet more wisdom, this was also written before the shed blood of Christ who told His disciples they would be hated by all for the message. We don’t want to strive with those who have made up their minds to resist God no matter what, but keeping the feast available may still change a life.
Verses 10-12 speak again about walking in the (proper) fear of The Lord and knowledge of The Holy One. While it gives promises, it also says the main benefits are to you alone. But, hey, an advantage is an advantage, right? And if we each get our own benefits, then those we teach do, too.
Finally, in verses 13-19, we are introduced to the woman named Folly. Like the brazen seductress in previous chapters, she’s looking for victims. She shows up in the high places (which could even represent the church) with her own โfeastโ and begins calling out to those walking straight paths. See, she wants to destroy what is right. From there, she also calls out to those who lack judgment, but instead of promising deliverance, she starts spinning webs of lies. She tells them her stolen water is sweeter, and she neglects to tell them the truth about her guests who died from eating her poisons. And the chapter ends there.
Now, before I end this, I have to share one of the cute images I ended up with when I used the same prompts as for the picture above, but chose the โknittingโ filter instead. It’s just fun and cute.
And, now, here’s a song about the feast prepared for us by Jesus, the one guaranteed to satisfy us.
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Proverbs 8: Choosing Life Over Death
If there were ever a secular song that echoed the message of Lady Wisdom in the Proverbs, I’d say it was I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick (1977). The lyrics talk about the singer’s desire to be wanted, needed, and loved. They go on to describe the desperate situation of the object of their desire and how that person was lonely and crying but the singer wants to make all that better for them.
Listen to a similar cry from Lady Wisdom in Proverbs Chapter 8…
Proverbs 8:1-2, 4, 10, 14, 17-19, 21, 32-35 WEBUS
[1] Doesnโt wisdom cry out? Doesnโt understanding raise her voice?
[2] On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
[4] โI call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
[10] Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
[14] Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
[17] I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
[18] With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
[21] that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
[32] โNow therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction, and be wise. Donโt refuse it! (Emphasis mine.)
[34] Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
[35] For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.8.1-35.WEBUS
Today, our seeker is standing at another crossroads like yesterday. The darkness isn’t hiding its final end, and with the door to the house of light open, the man can clearly see his two choices. I’m thinking he’s walked away from the temptress of chapter 7 and is now at least willing to listen to the possibilities of another way. Maybe he’s where some of us have been in our lives, standing at the end of a church service while the music team plays and sings the invitation song, Just As I Am. Our heart squeezes in our chest while stress turns our hands cold and clammy. We want so desperately to take that first step toward the altar, but fear and pride seem to paralyze us. We might be thinking: โWhat if God won’t accept me as I am? What if these people condemn me? What if all that happiness I’m seeing on these people’s faces isn’t real?โ
Yes, most Christians began their walk with moments just like that. Even the song of invitation, written back in 1835, includes a lyric line that says, โMany a conflict, many a doubt. Fightings and fears within — without.โ (The story behind the hymn is fascinating and has similar testimonies.) But we overcame those conflicts, doubts, and fears because something (or, more accurately, Someone) was calling us to trust God and give Him a chance to prove Himself. And when we finally took that first step out from our seat, the rest of the steps became almost a running pace to a place of sorrow and repentance. Then the fruit of that moment took us face to face with a flood of love and peace greater than we ever thought possible. Now, on the other side of that decision, most will tell you they are still glad they made it to the altar.
Proverbs 8 ends with the promise from Lady Wisdom in verse 35 followed by her strong warning in verse 36. Together, they read…
Proverbs 8:35-36 CSB
[35] โFor the one whoย findsย me findsย lifeย and obtains favor fromย theย Lord,ย
[36] but the one whoย missesย me harmsย himself; all who hate me loveย death.โย
https://bible.com/bible/1713/pro.8.35-36.CSB
And here is a beautiful rendition of Just As I Am by โSounds Like Reignโ and recorded in a farm silo…
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Proverbs 7: Signs At the Crossroads of Temptation
You’d think it would be an easy decision to choose the correct door, right? I mean, dark and stormy versus light and sunny seems like a clear choice even without the warning signs. Read the warnings and story of caution from Solomon to his children in Proverbs 7, then ask yourself whether you would be wiser than the young man lacking judgment in the story. I hope we all would be stronger, but as I read about the way the woman works to deceive him, I can see the abundance of those deceits and lies in our present world. Sadly, the signs are usually more like what the AI had on them before I edited, a bunch of gibberish that’s almost impossible to comprehend. (The guy in the picture has it really easy now that I used my Photo Studio Pro app to give him the right signs. ๐) But we have The Holy Spirit to give us signs now. We’re promised that we will all find Him and know Him if we seek Him with our whole heart.
Jeremiah 31:34 BSB
[34] No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, โKnow the Lord,โ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.โ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/jer.31.34.BSB
Hebrews 8:11 BSB
[11] No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, โKnow the Lord,โ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.8.11.BSB
Solomon knows the decision is not easy no matter who you are or how much wisdom you have access to. It’s the wisdom you commit to and hide in your heart that will help the most. So Solomon begs his children to grab the wisdom he’s making available to them and hold on for dear life. He tells them a cautionary tale of a young man who refused to listen to wisdom and walked into a death trap.
It’s an old story, you know. As old as the garden in creation. Temptation snags the one who’s not prepared or paying attention. And usually those things are lacking because of one of three things: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. Those 3 are the foundational traps that caught Eve at the tree of โthe knowledge of good and evilโ not paying attention (to the right things) and unprepared. (See Genesis 3:1-6.) Examining the tree for what it might bring her made her forget the warnings from her husband and her God. She saw its beauty, she desired to taste it, and she wanted it to make her wise. And we know how all those desires ended.
But here’s the good thing: the enemy (ha satan) tried the same three temptations on YahShua (Jesus). But even after 40 days of fasting, The Lord was fully aware of the deceit and lies, and He did not give in. Instead, He had an answer for each of the temptations thrown at Him. He kept the victory by using Scripture, and so can we. He was tempted inย EVERY WAY we can be tempted and walked away victorious, so we could face the same things and find the strength we need in Him.
For the lust of the flesh, use...
Deuteronomy 8:3 BSB (or Matthew 4:4 or Luke 4:4)
[3] He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.8.3.BSB
For the lust of the eyes, use...
Deuteronomy 6:13 CSB (or Luke 4:8)
[13] Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.ย
https://bible.com/bible/1713/deu.6.13.CSB
And, for the pride of life, use...
Luke 4:12 BSB (or Deut 6:16)
[12] But Jesus answered, โIt also says, โDo not put the Lord your God to the test.โโ
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.4.12.BSB
Finally, the Apostle Paul gives us great advice when he tells us the right things on which to focus our minds…
Philippians 4:8 WEBUS
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
https://bible.com/bible/206/php.4.8.WEBUS
And that’s a good place to end with a video I found with the help of Google’s Gemini AI. I’ve never heard it before, but the a capella harmonies, the lyrics, and the visuals are all beautiful. It’s called The Wayside Cross by C. L. St. John…
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For Pete’s Sake, What is a Minced Oath?
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
โHi, my name is Saint Peter. Welcome to Heaven! It looks like I've found your name here in The Lamb's Book of Life, so you'll be spending eternity with us. But there is a concerning note here that says you have a tendency to use a lot of minced oaths. Is that a habit you can break?โ
โOh, for Pete's sake, I thought that was better than using the words they stand in for. Besides, shouldn't I get a pass since Feb 26th is actually For Pete's Sake Day?โ
โIt's what? My name is on a special day of the year?โ
โWell they don't know for sure, but since the phrase is likely a euphemism to replace something like 'For Christ's sake' and because you knew Him, it's a good bet that it is a reference to you.โ
โWow, that's pretty interesting. But you know, you might not want to be talking about bets in here either--good or bad,โ Peter adds with a grin.
My little scenario above is not a probable one at all since we’re all more than likely going to be devoting our words to worship The Lord and not even thinking about euphemisms and minced oaths, but I thought it was a fun way to introduce this annual day. And doesn’t the heart have a great smile as he finds the latest person’s name to welcome them in?
So, you have probably used minced oaths (or euphemisms) yourself at some point in your life. And you may have developed some that you use so regularly, you don’t even know what they were originally replacing. Things like shoot or dagnabbit or fiddlesticks or sugar take the place of words that often begin with the same letters, but the replacements sound a bit more respectful.
For example, I once heard a small story about a little boy who was riding his bike home from the grocery store when he hit a puddle and went into the dirty water food and all. Frustrated, he shouted, โJesus Christ, God Almighty!โ A preacher was walking nearby and asked him what he just said. He quickly changed his words and said as if posing a question, โCheese and crackers got all muddy?โ
If you want to read more about the history of this day, just visit the National Day Today page at https://nationaltoday.com/for-petes-sake-day/. As for me, I just might end up in that scenario because I tend to use a lot of what we used to call by words. I’m certain they are better than using โcolorful languageโ (a euphemism for cussing or swearing), and they can help release some steam of frustration. But I try not to use the ones I was trained against like gosh, darn, or geez. And I really don’t like OMG (since it’s effectively calling out to God but not waiting for Him to answer), but I often say, โOh my goodness,โ and hubby jumps in with the Scripture about our righteousness (goodness) being like filthy rags. It’s one of those joking things that is actually true. But the truest part is that even though our sins make our souls dark, the Blood of Christ will wash us and cleanse us to make us whiter than snow.
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A Kaleidoscope Heart
I’m not certain when I looked into my first kaleidoscope, but I know when I first got really hooked on them. There was a big presentation at the Kentucky Center for the Arts back in 1993. Somehow, I got a ticket to it, and I got to take a class and build my first kaleidoscope. Shortly thereafter, I won a contest and used the prize money to buy my first professional kaleidoscope. It was made by Shelley Knapp, and I have an album of pictures from inside that scope on my Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/gp/crystalwriter/iY6dMcF580 though I have many I’ve not yet added to the album.
After beginning that collection, I somehow ran across this very low-priced piece of software called The Silicon Mirror program. I got the free trial but paid the $12 to purchase it before the trial was over, and have kept it installed on various computers and laptops ever since. They still have it available at https://www.torpor.com/ where you can find a variety of creative and colorful programs. I wish I could play with all of them every day.
Anyway, I was on Yahoo Photos back then and had started my first blog on Yahoo 360. I was also writing my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writer’s Month) novel, so I would update the blog with my word count and a picture made in Silicon Mirror each day. I was able to save that blog here at WordPress under โCrystal Writes in 360โ but I haven’t gone back to check for writing and grammar imperfections there. It was mostly family reading it back then, so I’m not sure how many mistakes there are. But if you venture over there, you will see the beginnings of my digital kaleidoscope addiction, and many of them were made from pictures of pencils and pens to line up with writing for NaNo.
Yahoo Photos got purchased by Flickr around 2006, I think, so I started putting photos there almost from the beginning. I have tens of thousands of them in my unpublished photos there because I never want to share until I can correctly label everything. This perfectionism drive is one of my big battles that keeps me from getting things done (or makes me take way too long as is often the case with this blog). But you can look at my big collection of kaleidoscope images (some real, many digital, 1069 images & 5 videos all together) in the Flickr album at https://www.flickr.com/gp/crystalwriter/pWx7X5586x
I have so much more I could say about kaleidoscopes, but I’ll close here for now with a collection I made in my Mirror Lab app using the image above. That image, by the way, was originally an inside scope picture that I edited in Photo Studio Pro to get it into a heart shape and then uploaded that to Wombo Dream AI and asked it to create a heart-shaped image. Here is the prompt I used in case you want to use it in your favorite AI image generator:
3D Heart-shaped kaleidoscope mandala with a 3d gilded edge and filled with colorful glittery prisms, on a black background with some super tiny golden sparkle in the black, HDR, pro photo, brilliantly lit, glowing, amazing atmosphere
And here’s the collection…
Many people tell me that they haven’t looked in a kaleidoscope since childhood. I highly recommend them for adults as tools to help with anxiety and stress because they create endorphins. I will do another post in the future with links to find kaleidoscopes online along with books and software because I really think they share what the name means, โbeautiful image.โ And I also believe they represent people the way God looks at His creation: all have beauty that is made more beautiful when light–especially God’s Light–shines through it. Let God light up your most beautiful aspects today and in the future, so you can be a kaleidoscope.
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Stained (Glass) Heart
I’m one of those people who can attract stains to my clothing with very little effort. I finally ordered my own set of dental bibs to use when I want to protect what I’m wearing from what I’m eating or drinking. The plastic coating helps a lot, but I still need to be more mindful when I’m moving food to my mouth to hit the target and not the bib. ๐ Coffee doesn’t always make that task too easy, though. โ
But what do you do to keep your heart from getting stains? God says, through the prophet Isaiah, that He will cleanse our hearts for us…
Isaiah 1:18 WEBUS
[18] โCome now, and letโs reason together,โ says Yahweh: โThough your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
https://bible.com/bible/206/isa.1.18.WEBUS
And, though our goal is to remain stain free, when we fail, we have a Friend and Advocate who stands in our place with His own precious blood. I like the way the verse reads in the New Living Translation…
1 John 2:1 NLT
[1] My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.2.1.NLT
YahShua can be our bib to protect our hearts from stains, as well as our detergent to cleanse them when necessary, but we are the first line of defense by keeping our own lives free from whatever would stain them. We do that by walking on the road on the other side of the narrow gate mentioned in Matthew 7:13. I made a verse image for that one years ago, but as I was tagging this, I also realized that the word โBibleโ starts with the word โbib.โ Isn’t that interesting? His entire Word is protection!
I’ll close this with a parody I wrote many years ago based on the song Country Roads by John Denver. I’m not sure if any parody bands have even done a song based on this, but I’d love to hear these lyrics done by someone one day…
NARROW ROAD
It's not Heaven,
Where we're livin',
But we're promised,
Someday we will leave here.
No one's old there,
In that land of ease,
Where we'll live forever,
with our Prince of Peace.
Narrow road, lead me home,
To Heaven's gates, where I belong.
My home forever, with my Savior,
Narrow Road, lead me home.
I hear His Voice in the mornings as He calls me, The Bible it reminds me of my home far away.ย And walking down this narrow road I get a glimpse of paradise and life His way, His best way...
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Science 101?
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
I was a weird kid who liked science class, but because I chose a GED before my graduation, I’m not certain if I would’ve liked chemistry. I mean, I know people who want to memorize the entire periodic table. That is not on my to-do list. What about you, reader? Are you a chemistry nerd, or are you like me in just learning this moment (because I’m telling you) that the atomic number of titanium is 22?
Apparently, in the midst of every bit of matter, there exists a tiny galaxy of protons, neutrons, and electrons spinning around inside atoms. The number of protons gives that matter its unique atomic number. And in numerology (the belief that numbers are symbols), 22 is supposed to be a number that represents the balance of strength and peace.
I don’t recommend going too deeply into number meanings since much of it is tied to mysticism and witchcraft, but there are some numbers in religion that we see straight from the written Word of God, like 7 being a Sabbath or rest for people and fields.
I think most people have favorite numbers for whatever reason, and I’ve always been one to like the number 7 as the main one. And because I like numerals that add up to 7, I often set my alarms for minutes like 16 and 25 instead of on the hour or half-hour. It’s just a quirk that makes me feel a little better when the wake-up voice speaks the time.
So, did you ever hear of, or celebrate, โ2Twenty2 Dayโ? It only goes back to the year 2010, so until I looked for happenings on February 22nd, I’d never heard of it before. But it gave me an excuse to design a titanium heart image in my Wombo Dream app.
Oh, I do remember a show that was on when I was a kid called โRoom 222,โ and maybe it was named for one of the actor’s or producer’s birthday or other special day on Feb 22nd. If not, and if you know why they chose that for the classroom number, feel free to add that info in the comments. In the meantime, check the page at https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/2twenty2-day or the one at https://holidaytoday.org/2twenty2-day/ to learn about it. Or maybe check out other special days for this week, like Tex Avery Day, the guy who created George Washington Bunny aka Bugs Bunny and his pal Daffy Duck. (Some sites put it on Feb 22nd and some the 26th. Since his date of birth was the 26th, I would guess that’s the correct date.)
And because I like to study Scripture, I did find some interesting verses at a few Chapter 2 locations in the Bible. Enjoy!
Isaiah 2:22 WEBUS
[22] Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he?
https://bible.com/bible/206/isa.2.22.WEBUS
Proverbs 2:22 WEBUS
[22] But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.2.22.WEBUS
Daniel 2:22 WEBUS
[22] He reveals the deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
https://bible.com/bible/206/dan.2.22.WEBUS
Joel 2:22 WEBUS
[22] Donโt be afraid, you animals of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness spring up, for the tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
https://bible.com/bible/206/jol.2.22.WEBUS
2 Timothy 2:22 WEBUS
[22] Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
https://bible.com/bible/206/2ti.2.22.WEBUS
Mark 2:22 WEBUS
[22] No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.โ
https://bible.com/bible/206/mrk.2.22.WEBUS
P.S. ๐ The friend I mentioned with the cancer diagnosis back on Feb 6th (My Thornbush has Roses), has found out his tumor is inoperable due to its location on the back of his tongue into the throat. They were thrilled to report no cancer in the throat, but with chemo and radiation, this will be a really hard thing for them to go through unless God steps in and does a genuine miracle. I really hurt for this brother and his wife, and I request any person who reads this to please pray for Mark and Debbie to be able to be still and know how to hang on no matter what days are ahead of them. We know God got to these days before any of us, and we can trust that His plan is the best, but that doesn’t mean our flesh and its fears and worries will just leave us alone. But ANYTHING God will do for them, up to and including shrinking the tumor and eventually making him cancer free while still living on this earth, is a welcome blessing for them and all who love them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ๐๐คฒ๐
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A Patriotic Heart–Daily Prompt 1850
Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
The definition of patriot from Merriam-Webster says, โone who loves and supports their countryโ and includes synonyms of loyalist and nationalist. The โDid You Knowโ section atย https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriot has some interesting history of the word. And, of course, if you’re gonna call yourself patriotic, which means to be a patriot, you should know the meaning of the word.
I wasn’t planning on responding to the prompt today, but it seemed to match the picture I’d already created, so I figured I would try. And in looking at some other responses, maybe it’s necessary. I grew up with a strong respect for our country, our flag, and our leadership–including local law enforcement. I’ve never thought it was okay for someone to flout the law of the land just because they didn’t like it. That doesn’t mean that I’ve been perfect, but it does mean I respect the law and know when I’ve done wrong and deserve consequences (with sequence, or what follows).
As a follower of YahShua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) and His holy written Scripture, I cannot use โlove of countryโ to excuse attitudes, words, or behaviors that don’t obey God’s word. But, I also cannot use my love of God as an excuse to ignore the law of the land. I stop at red lights, and I pay my taxes. And, if I violate the law, I pay the fine or go to traffic school.
To me, patriotism doesn’t mean I love EVERY thing my country does or every decision it makes. But it does mean I stay supportive of the country as my homeland and stay grateful for the decisions I do agree with. If I disagree with something, I can vote for change. If the subject is not on the ballot, I can enlist the help of others to put it on the ballot where my vote can be counted. Violating the laws of the land, like blocking public roads, is neither patriotic nor a good use of freedom. And if consequences follow that don’t feel good, well, that’s what happens. I mean, I absolutely hate the taking of innocent lives via abortion, but I would never bomb one of the clinics that performs them. Why? Because another thing I learned as a child was that two wrongs don’t make a right.
So, yes, I am patriotic, and I’m still grateful to be an American. Years ago, I shocked some people when I went to hear Bill Clinton speak even though he was not my chosen candidate. But I wasn’t going to hear the man, I was going to hear โThe President of The United States.โ I respect the office and the authority regardless of who occupies the position. Sadly, it wasn’t long after that when I attended some school events for nephews and nieces and saw teachers refuse to place their hands over their hearts in respect for the flag, or our nation’s National Anthem. It was only a matter of time before students stopped learning how to respect the authority of any position from the highest position in the land to the lowest.
That change in respect was shortly before the first major school shooting incident that seemed to set up a pattern of many others. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that disrespect of law and authority, and a lack of value for human life, created that subset of attitudes. I would caution parents and teachers about repeating negative media tropes about The President or our law enforcement to children who can sponge it up and turn it into a bigger monster than anyone wants to deal with. Maybe the little parody my mom used to sing to the tune of the Pepsodent toothpaste jingle isn’t sung anymore, but those words (โYou’ll wonder where your father went if he talks against The Presidentโ) were a lesson in respect that I think we could all use again.
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Hart and Sole
I’ll admit it, I’m a word nerd. And since we’re still in heart month, I’ll go so far as to say, โI love words.โ My mom had creative ways of dealing with boredom when my sister and I were kids, and one of those ways was to have a competition between the 3 of us to see who could come up with the most homophones.
In case you’re not familiar with it, here’s the definition of homophone from Merriam Webster: Homophones are words that sound the same but are different in meaning or spelling (such as sea and see). View the full article about homophones vs homonyms vs homographs at https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/homophones-vs-homographs-vs-homonyms
You’ve probably figured out that I won a lot of those competitions. But I’m glad we had them because I am clear about differences between the use of two, too, and to; there, their, and they’re; and about 300 more sets of sound-alike words. It’s too bad that most spell-check programs don’t know those differences because word nerds like me see those misuses like glaring red noses on Santa’s favorite reindeer. Though the one that gets me most isn’t even a homophone; it’s loose (as in loose change) being used for lose (as in don’t lose the money). I understand English can be hard, though, because most words with that โoozeโ sound have 2 O’s. But here’s a sentence that will really mess with your โspell it like it soundsโ lessons: โIf you choose to snooze, your boss could blow a fuse, you could lose your job, and you won’t be able to go on the company cruise.โ ๐คฏ๐
The picture I had Wombo Dream make for today is using hart (another name for a deer) and sole (fish) in place of the idiom โheart and soul.โ I decided to put the 2 critters under a heart-shaped moon to keep with my February theme. And then I added a fantasy frame in my Photo Studio Pro app. Here’s the other one I made with Bing image creator added to the same frame, but I forgot to ask for the heart element…
I’ll close this fun subject out with a quick list of homophones that start with the letter โHโ as in hart and โSโ as in sole:
Ha, Haw
Hail, Hale
Hair, Hare
Hall, Haul
Halve, Have
Hart, Heart
Haughty, Hottie
Hawk, Hock
Hay, Hey
Hays, Haze
Hear, Here
Heard, Herd
Hecks, Hex
He’d, Heed
He’ll, Heal, Heel
Hem, Him, Hymn
Hence, Hints
Heroin, Heroine
Hertz, Hurts
Hew, Hue
Hi, Hie, High
Hic, Hick
Hide, Hied
Higher, Hire
Ho, Hoe
Hoarse, Horse
Hoes, Hose
Hold, Holed
Hole, Whole
Hour, Our
Sachet, Sashay
Sacks, Sax
Sail, Sale
Scene, Seen
Seam, Seem
Send, Sinned
Serge, Surge
Sew, So, Sow
Sewer, Suer
Sewn, Sown
Shear, Sheer
Shew, Shoe, Shoo
Sic, Sick
Sicks, Six
Side, Sighed
Sign, Sine
Sink, Sync
Skee, Ski
Slaughter, Slotter
Slay, Sleigh
Sleight, Slight
Soar, Sore
Sold, Soled
Sole, Soul
Some, Sum
Son, Sun
Sordid, Sorted
Sot, Sought
Spade, Spayed
Staid, Stayed
Stair, Stare
Stake, Steak
Stalk, Stock
Steal, Steel
Stile, Style
Straight, Strait
Suede, Swayed
Suet, Sweat
Suite, Sweet
Note: I’ve never tried columns in WordPress before, and I’m not really sure it worked. I see 2 columns in the draft but not on the preview. I think my classic theme isn’t accepting the blocks, but maybe readers see them. I’m still learning, though. Thanks for understanding.
Anyway, drop me a comment with some of your favorite words or your pet peeves about the misuse of words. And save these lists for your own memory banks for the next time you play any word games. I can attach the full homophone list by request.
P.S. I do not want to ignore the greatest of all words, that is YahShua (Jesus), The Word Made Flesh who wants each of us to know Him better. So here are a few Scripture verses about The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Word of Words…
Romans 10:17 WEBUS
[17] So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
https://bible.com/bible/206/rom.10.17.WEBUS
Psalms 119:105 WEBUS
[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
https://bible.com/bible/206/psa.119.105.WEBUS
Revelation 19:12-13 WEBUS
[12] His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. [13] He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called โThe Word of God.โ
https://bible.com/bible/206/rev.19.12-13.WEBUS
John 1:1, 14 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.1-14.KJV
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