Quick Licks or Big Slurps

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

My family traveled many-a-summer to dairy whips all over the state. Mom had a favorite one near Peebles that served the best foot longs and shakes. I loved the Tasty Freeze on Route 50. I'm not sure what the name of it is now, but it's still in business. And of course, the Dairy Queen offered a yummy list of sweet treats. Whether I got a hot fudge sundae, banana split, or twist cone, I had to figure out the best way to eat it. Slow with small bites, quick licks, or big slurps. Did I savor the cool creamy desert or eat so fast I got brain freeze. Maybe something in between worked best. No matter how I ate it, I loved the sweet taste.

All my life I've been told to read my Bible. I've heard that I should go verse by verse to study. Use the Greek to decipher the meaning. Read the Bible in a year. Look at several translations at the same time. Try a study guide. So many ways to learn about Jesus. Which one is best? I've tried many of the methods. And you know what? I've learned something new from every one of them. Whether I take tiny bites and read a verse or two, or study several chapters in one gulp, I've learned from the scripture. The only times I've not gained from reading the Bible is when I haven't done it at all. I cherish the truths I've learned from God's word. They've changed my life and made it much sweeter than I could've imagined. Praise God for his word.

Wednesday Wisdom

The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Miller

If you follow the literary world at all, you've probably heard that Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, is releasing her second book in July. Lee's first story, published in 1960, follows Scout and her father Atticus Finch as he fights for civil rights in Maycomb, Alabama. The Pulitzer Prize winner has been read by millions of people and created quite the impact. Now fifty-five years later the author's second book, Go Set a Watchman, will be released in July.

In the meantime, I picked up The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Miller. Part memoir, part biography Marja had the rare opportunity to spend many months with Harper, called Nell by her friends, and Alice Lee. Alice, Harper's sister, is a lawyer who followed in her father's footsteps. 

In 2001, the Chicago Public Library chose To Kill a Mockingbird for its One Book, One Chicago city-wide read. At that time Marja worked for the Chicago Tribune and was asked to travel south to Monroeville, Harper Lee's hometown. She hoped to at least write about the small-town Maycomb was based on. She never imagined she'd spend months in the company of Harper Lee and her sister, plus spend time with their close circle of friends.

The Mockingbird Next Door is one of the best nonfiction books I've read. Reading Ms. Mills book was like sitting with her at lunch and chatting with a friend. By the time I finished the book, I felt like I'd visited Monroeville and met the Lees. If you're waiting to read Go Set a Watchman, this would be a great book to peruse in the meantime.

Gravity and Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

©Penny Frost McGinnis

I just finished reading Cynthia Rutchi's, As Waters Gone By. It's a tale of love, fear, confusion and forgiveness; one of the best stories I've read in a long time. As sometimes happens, a particular line in the book caught my attention. "Grace always outweighs gravity." Wow! That's one I want to remember. The times I need to cling to grace the most, I'm down, fallen due to sin, down and depressed, physically down, exhausted and not thinking clearly, and on and on.

The apostle Paul knew this secret and told everyone about it in his writings. He fell down, was tempted, and at times physically exhausted. He knew what it meant to cling to Jesus promise. "My grace is sufficient." No matter what I go through, I know I can cling to the grace Jesus gives me tied to my hope in him. Through Jesus' power I can rest on him and be strong. Praise God for his gift of grace.

Happy Mother's Day

2 Timothy 1:5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

There's nothing sweeter than holding a brand new grandbaby. I inherited that love from my mom. The sweet smell, the soft skin, the hope in a new life spills over and pours blessings on the one whose arms wrap around the beautiful bundle. But as I look into the face of each grandchild, I also see responsibility. As grandma, I play a part in their lives just like Lois did for Timothy. Like my mom has done for my kids. And my grandmothers did for me.

We're not alone on our journey. God provides help. Whether I am the Grammy, the mom, the aunt or the friend I want nothing more than to show them Jesus. May patience, kindness, love, and encouragement flow from me.

I'm so thankful for the women in my life who've shown me hope and faith. Thank you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day.

Am I Happy?

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tim made sure I didn't miss this pretty pink tulip.

Do you remember the song from Bible school, "If You're Happy and You Know It"? We clapped our hands and shouted amen. It was a fun song to sing, but I'd like to change the words. Instead of happy, what if we sing "If You're Joyful". To me, happy is a feeling dependent on circumstance and inconsistent with the deep joy Jesus gives. Joy's not dependent on anything except my relationship with God.

I've been sick for a week. Run a fever every day. Am I happy? No. But I still have joy because I know Jesus loves me. My heart fills with joy because God gave me my husband who takes care of me and family and friends who check on me. I hope to feel better soon. I don't usually ask this but if you think to, pray for me.

Praise God I can sing, "I'm joyful and I know it."

Spirit of Power