MELLOWED WITH WISDOM

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How I wish our church worship area to be located on the ground level.  I am in awe at those senior members who could still smile even though young people run up and down the stairs, passing them while they struggle, with their slow and difficult assent up every Sunday, to attend worship service.  And yet, we feel so anxious about the pain they have to carry, while climbing up those mighty steps.

After the service, again they would go down those steps, slowly, laboriously, down one step after the other hanging on the rails.

What we could offer them, while in this situation, is just to slowly go up behind them, preventing error in step.  On going down, we have to be ahead and let them go down slowly, in their own pace.

Presently our church is having a fund raising campaign to hasten up our Lot and Building Fund to reach the necessary amount for us to purchase a property that would hold our growing membership.  I am especially praying for this to be reached earlier because the new location is a walking distance to my office.  This would mean I could come visit whenever I like during the day, or to attend activities easily.

Another motive I am praying over this is what I have mentioned above.  We could then worship on ground level.  We have a handful of these senior members who are insistent in coming to church, pain and all.  Once we acquire the property we are laying claim for,  our church service vehicles could pick our elderly from their homes and then they could just amble along slowly to the worship area without fear of mishaps, and to give them easy access.

While I am deep in thoughts regarding this matter, I was brought to the realization that one day I will be like them too.  Right at this point of my life, I have existing pains.  What would it be like to be in their age?

Still, I'd hang on to the Lord, if He allows me to grow well into my sunset..... lower down the horizon,  towards the dark ....., with great hope to be like our elders, edging onwards, leaning upon Him.

Then I have better take time to better meet those days ahead.

I have searched for a website that would give me informations and some ideas as to what to do regarding problems of aches and joint pains.

Here it is, together with a few pictures of easy exercises, to maintain flexibility.  Well I would be trying them, but I could not promise I will stick to them religiously.  I always slip in these areas.  Pain would be bothering too.

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I usually use the lowest step of our stairs to do an up and down routine just until it tires me.  But then again, not regularly.

This is the site.

FROM THE SAME SITE

I'd rather be doing this in front of the TV or reading a book.

Our joints need time to relax and avoid further damage.  The lovable pet dog is an added novelty.  He would warm our ankle joints perfectly and with TLC.

Or you may choose to go a little techie and join our blogging circle, a company of encouraging members, happy to listen (read) about your pains, pray for each other and send us to sunnier days.

Anyway, as of this writing, my right knee and thigh up to my pelvis and mid hips, is giving a slow musical rhythm of pain.  They are tolerable, just like a little hot chili thing, yet it could gravitate into the night or during the climb upstairs.

Our summer here in the Philippines is so hot, it reaches to 35 degrees Celcius.  But today, at dawn it rained.  A little colder, enough to give me a little signal.  My Texan Gal would say her butt-ro-meter tells her that it is gonna rain today.

Anyway, here are a few collection of verses, about the Mellow Age:

Leviticus 19:32
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (NIV)


Proverbs 16:31
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV)


1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (ESV)


 Psalm 92:12-14
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing. ” (NKJV)


Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (NIV)


Ecclesiastes 12:1-3
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.” (NLT)

You, my Lord, will be our strength, in the days when we are weaker, older and slower.  And you will grant us wisdom and grace born of the knowledge of you.  Amen. 

A TASTE OF DEATH

..fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

~Hebrews 12:2~

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

~Philippians 2:8~

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

~Hebrews 2:9~

~~~~~~

 A song to come with the foregoing verses:

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
By:  Hel­en Lem­mel
Sung by John Starnes 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

~~~~~~

I opt to write only a few questions for I am in awe at the verses I have posted above.  I just want to Honor the author and perfecter of our Faith, by being silent, inwardly and outwardly.  I sat with God this morning and He has led me to Hebrews 12:2.

There are just these questions I would like to list down.  Feel free to share your insights regarding these questions I have dwelt on.

• How much love has He that He tasted death for everyone?

 

•  What wonder brings us to our knees?

• Do we understand what compassion there was which made Himself sin for the pardon of the sinful?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Cor 5:21)

• Who am I that He endured the cross, and despised shame, to offer me life?

• Do you know of an earthly King who has offered his life for the sake of his subjects?  

 

In conclusion, let us meditate on this over our own grief and affliction:


"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

                                          ~~~~Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV)~~~~ 

 

ROYAL DIADEM

DIANE'S LOGO

DEEP CALLS UNTO THE DEEP

 Devotions:

The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

                                 ~Psalm 45:13~

Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: 

                                         ~Psalm 45:9a~

This is a symbol for royalty, a diadem/a crown.  It signifies kingship,  a kingdom ruler.

WIKIPEDIA

  
English: Diadem. Gold. Greek, probably made in Alexandria, Egypt, 220 - 100 B.C. The piece probably belonged to a noble woman of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. The clasp is shaped as a protective Herakles knot



  

If I am a King's daughter, I am a princess and all rights of being one is due me.  But with it, comes duties and responsibilities to keep up with the stature.  The question, then, would be, am I fit to be one, not by virtue of my inheritance and bloodline, but by my actions and character?


Psalm 43:13, means to me, that being a King's daughter, I would be all glorious within.  My clothing is embroidered with gold.  This is a picture of the marriage between Christ, the head of His Church, as the Bridegroom,  and the Bride, His Church, chosen, pure and Holy, sanctified....... therefore, all glorious in the chamber (heaven).

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To apply this knowledge into my life here on earth, and in order for me to be worthy of this calling (a member of the Bride/Church/Body), I have these points to consider:

1.  I must be sure, I have professed/vowed to be a Bride-meaning I am sure of my salavation.  I am a gentile, my bloodline is not a direct one, but by adoption.  I became a child of God, through Jesus' death on the cross and by His resurrection, I was redeemed and purchased, my sins which blocked me entry to heaven, washed away spotless. 

2.  I shall continue to abide in God, to cleave - securely cling to the Vine, by my daily life-inhalation with the purifying words in the scripture, and exhale in prayers everything necessary, like confessions and petitions as well as my Praises and Thanksgiving towards God.

3.  Daily life of devotion, being quiet outwardly and inwardly, in meditation of His words, His speaks to me His instructions, guidance and wisdom .

4.  Think about others, their welfare and love them as I love myself.  Encourage one another in prayer and in words-to edify them and to help each other towards the day when Christ Jesus comes back for us.

Of course, our outer self, our shortcomings, our sins are not important to God.  What is important is how we live all this things up, how we dealt with our sins through confessions, how we have forgiven other who have sinned against us ....in short how we traveled this life here on earth. 


The beauty should come from within.


Note:  It is known that Earthly Princes and Princesses are born and are trained, in all finesse, for the position and duties they would, one day, be occupying.

How would we then be prepared for our position in the Kingdom of Heaven as prince and princesses?

Related Verse:

"You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

                                                                                  ~Isaiah 62:3~

Lord, may I be worthy to adorn your court when that day comes.  Help me while here in my sojourn, as an alien on this earth.  Apart from your guidance and will, Oh God, I am nothing.  May I be a vessel for your honor and glory.

BEAUTY AND DESIGN

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This is a link to :Illustra Media a home for exquisite documentaries, from which I found a beautiful presentation of the delicate stages of a butterflies' METAMORPHOSIS - a video of butterfly magic, coming out from a dot of an egg into a Caterpillar, next getting ready to die (inside the chrysalis), then you will see the division of cells-to the pupa and then transform into the thing of beauty and design.


Lovely quotes/review, I got from the Illustra Media introductory article:

"Metamorphosis is an unforgettable documentary filled with the joys of discovery and wonder."

"How did these extraordinary creatures come into being? Are they the products of a blind, undirected process? Or were they designed by an intelligent cause?"

" From an egg the size of a pinhead to a magnificent flying insect. It is a transformation so incredible biologists have called it "butterfly magic."

In the video clip, one will read this line:

Within the chrysalis, "death is the pathway to life." 

MY REACTION:  

A butterflie's miraculous transformation is a beautiful analogy of our life being Christians....... we need to die in order to live.  That is the reason why Jesus came to earth, became flesh, suffered, died, buried and then resurrected..... in order to give us life, an abundant life....... and the promise of an inheritance in Heaven.  

Jesus emerged from the tomb, transformed into His heavenly incorruptible body, giving way to our own passage from death to life.  I have a hope for resurrection too.

      To Diane:

     I wish to give you the credits, and my gratitude, for thou hast ushered me into the Deep.  I promised to myself that as soon as I got a longer time to spend, I would heed His calls unto the Deep, with your gentle guidance.  Thank you for giving time to develop those wonderful Life Lessons-devotional.

      Thank you also for the symbol you are using which is why I have linked to Metamorphosis.  The beauty and wonder of the transformation and the stages the butterfly undergoes is so meaningful to our Christian existence, our walk with Jesus and our own transformation as we submit ourselves to the Maker's hands daily.  Then shall we emerge into "the thing of beauty"  God has designed us to be.

THE VIDEO CLIP:
 

       “What an achievement — artistically,  scientifically, musically, inspirationally! The film is a stunning and convincing case for intelligent design.” 

                            

         David F. Coppedge
          Author & Lecturer




VIDEO SOURCE


Diane's Quote:

"The butterfly was chosen as a symbol of the metamorphic transformation that God does in us as we renew our minds with The Word of God."

My journal will proceed from this day onwards, in Christ's Jesus, my Master's Name and by His continuous blessings.

OUR INNER HEARTS

Thanks to Diane, for the title of our First BS lesson at our circle's round table, our Thursday Morning Bible Study.

Scripture: I Samuel 16:7

Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him.  For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance but The LORD looks at the heart.


Diane had given us 4 reflection points.  These are the answers I posted in the comments section of our first BS.

I printed our study materials so that I can read it over and over, and reflect in it.


Thank you Di, for leading us in our circle BS.


1. What is your initial reaction to reading that verse?  Is it comforting or not to know that God looks deep within you to your heart therefore He does not judge just on our outward man?

> My initial reaction to the verse I Samuel 16:7: is my conversion, I was a sinner, deeply buried in mud, but Jesus had chosen to pick up from there.... It is so comforting to me, as I reflect it now, for the first time, with the above verse.... I used to relate to the road to Damascus with Paul. Now, even if I am not chosen to be a Ruler, I could very much be used by God in any service in Church, and He was able to look inside me, not my sins.... Thank you, Lord, for this another perspective about how you saw the inner man in me, not the outer actions.


2.  Do you want to be known by appearances or by your true inner heart?  Why?

> No, definitely not. Jokingly, I don't think a lot would love me (except for my own parents), just by looking at the clay pot..... it has all the chips and cracks... the paint is badly done, meaning I do not look physically appealing.... But some people see the character in me, my heart-capable of love, sensitive to other people's feelings and ready to give respect. I do like to be "the beauty deeper than the skin one."


3. Sounds like you and I?

>Yes so much.... I am past questioning why there are a lot of scandals in the Bible leading to the birth of Jesus..... it makes me see those Men/Women of Faith to be less than super heroes... I could relate to all of them. They were humans too, as we are.... and yet God found favor in them, used them for His glory, in service to men and His purposes..... like I can be.


4.  How can you and I become more of a people with hearts after God's own Heart?

> By following closely the teachings of Jesus. Having time spent in stillness with God, reading the Bible, growing in spirit by interacting with fellow-Christians, encouraging one another, in prayers, sharing.....a heart of gratitude and humility, submitting yourself Holy and pleasing to God, for the purpose He has chosen for us..... then can I become more and more "a people with hearts after God's own Heart." .... A purpose-Driven life.

My Prayer:

Thank you, dear God for giving us Diane, to lead us into a closer walk with you. Thank you for your word that we have broken down into chewable portions for, us to digest and apply in our life. As we continue being teachable, Lord, we ask you to guide us in every way, lead us and be with us. In Jesus name, Amen.  

IF you are reading this post and would like to read on the background discussion of every question, I suggest you go to Diane's blog, to our Thursday Morning Bible Study first lesson, and be enlightened.  Thank you and please join us there every Thursday Morning.

I can name a few people who has loved me just as I am, no matter what.  In that knowledge, I can thank and praise God, counting my blessings.

The first, of course, is God ( in all persons). I believe He has chosen me for salvation and my name is written in the Book of Life.  I am a vessel for His honor, a life cleaving upon the Vine, with His help and provisions...... someday, in His Time, I shall live in His house forever..... with cup to overflowing.

 Second, my parents.  Have you heard of the cliche, " a face only a Mother could love."  That's me.  Looking at my physical stature, I am far from vogue.  I was nurtured and groomed by my parents, rather my Mom alone (my Dad died when I was a babe), therefore she did dote on me and delighted in me.

Third, my siblings (first blood), my cousins (second blood) and my aunts and uncles.  Although some of these in my kin might have different motives in loving me, they would care what happens to me..... and could choose to love me as I am and would see me deeper inside of who I am.

Fourth, my husband.  He is that handsome guy in the picture.  I like showing off my tweaked photos.  (I did that one with piZap).  He fell in love with me and saw right inside my heart and character.  He has stood by me, in all our ups and downs as a couple.  He is the first one who would hit anyone who would say I am "A JUMBO or a Peggy."  His name is Mike short for Michael.  Isn't he cute?

Fifth, my children and grandchildren.  After their dad/grandad, they would be the ones who will defend me from predators. (LOL)

Sixth, some church members, a handful of colleagues.

Seventh, (but not least).... my cyber COF lead by Diane, Pam, Martha, Betty and Veronica.

Thanks to you, all...... my blessings surely is overflowing.

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. " 

- Erma Bombeck

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln

 

 

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I know why families were created with all their imperfections. They humanize you. They are made to make you forget yourself occasionally, so that the beautiful balance of life is not destroyed.

-- Anais Nin 

 

  

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