Snapshots from summer

 

 Last fall I was thinking back over Summer 2024 in preparation for sharing a testimony with other ladies.  I thought about how many wonderful memories have been preserved in photos that we took.  (Now, in light of the devastation to that area from Hurricane Helene, I am doubly glad we took as many pictures as we did.  And I wish we had taken more.)  It seems to me that this past summer is one of the nicest that we have had in a long time, as far as good memories go.  At that time, I began a post full of summer memories.

I found myself thinking of these memories in terms of snapshots.  Actual snapshots, as the first part of the definition below describes:

Ice cream with our friend Terry -- I'm so thankful we got to do this (and got this photo) on a day when she was feeling well and able to fully enjoy it.  That is a flight of ice cream on the table in front of her.

We had plenty of opportunities for ice cream this past summer and fall.  We always share, so the calories and sugar are not quite as bad as they might be.

Family members playing cornhole on the porch of our Airbnb farmhouse in North Carolina as the rain fell outdoors.  We had lots of time to make precious family memories on this trip.

Time with old friends at Table Rock State Park in South Carolina.  So thankful for the gift of friendship and being able to encourage one another in the Lord.

Mountains upon mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  God gave safety in travel and many opportunities to ponder His might, sovereignty, and endless creativity.

 Cousins at Cracker Barrel (plus Emily's and Julia's friend Lily).  Even though many of Emily's siblings weren't here, it was a wonderful time for these cousins to reconnect.

 A wonderful couple of days with our friends Tom and Judy in Pennsylvania.  We have been wanting to visit them for some time and are so thankful that a visit, although brief, finally happened.

Reconnecting with our precious friends Chris and Debbie in the Maritimes (we stayed in New Brunswick but also visited Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island).  We had not seen them in over ten years.  What a delight to pick up where we left off.

 As I reviewed further,  I thought more deeply -- about other memories that are recorded in the heart.  We didn't get photos of those, but some pictures are indelibly (I hope) etched upon upon hearts and minds.  These could be considered snapshots too, more like the second part of the definition.  And I frequently find myself taking out these "pictures", reviewing the blessings and sharing them with others.

A few Scripture verses came to my mind: 

"Many, O LORD, my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are toward us; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee.  If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."  (Psalm 40:5)

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually ... the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."  (Hebrews 13:15)

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  (Psalm 34:1)

"I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings."  (Psalm 77:12)

"We will not hide them from our children, showing to the generations to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He has done."  (Psalm 78:4)

And so here are a few of those snapshots to share with you: 

* Sharing a meal at a restaurant with dear ministry friends -- enjoying wonderful food and a fun atmosphere, but even better, sharing from the heart as we encouraged one another in the Lord.  This happened a few times with various couples and families.

* Having a moment of prayer as various friends parted from one another, not knowing when or where we will meet again in this life.  But knowing we will meet again in heaven!

* Realizing as we reconnected (and praising God!) that some of our friends have been through very difficult times, but they have continued to walk faithfully with their Lord.

* Experiencing amazing hospitality all along the way as we were blessed by people using that spiritual gift.  Wonderful accommodations, fantastic food, and just all-round caring and sharing.

* Having opportunities to minister this summer -- Sunday School, VBS, our regular volunteer work at TWNE,  and hosting a couple of cottage prayer meetings at our little camp.

* Even better, watching three of our teen grandchildren minister in music at church and in teaching VBS.  

* Through the generous hospitality of our New Brunswick friends, getting to return to a provincial park on PEI where we'd spent many happy times camping with our children. 

* Being blessed by a memory book our daughters put together to commemorate our half-century of marriage.  The notes from far-flung family and old friends were so precious!

* Getting to have our NV granddaughter Emily with us for an overnight stay at the North Carolina Airbnb.  What a delight to have her with us around the table and to look after her needs for just a few hours.

* And maybe one of the dearest, most precious snapshots of the summer -- the seating for our Cracker Barrel meal worked out so that the four adults were at one table and all of the grandchildren, plus Lily, were at another.  At one point my daughter looked their way and whispered, "They're praying!" Yes, oldest grandson Sam took the lead and they all bowed their heads as he gave thanks for the food.  

There are more -- many more.  But I have delayed publishing this post long enough, so I'll leave you with  just this handful of snapshots from last summer.

Sunday Scripture

 

 We're back to our ongoing series on my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I will attempt to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 8.  Since the psalm is only 9 verses,  I chose to SOAP the entire psalm.

S= "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, who hast set Thy glory above the heavens!
"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies, that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
"When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained,
"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?  And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?
"For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet.
"All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
"The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea; and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!"  (Psalm 8)

O= The Bible heading for this psalm is "To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David."  The ESV heading reads "To the choirmaster according to the Gittith.  A Psalm of David."  A notation says that "Gittith" is "likely a musical or liturgical term."  NKJV calls it "the instrument of Gath".  Charles Spurgeon offers more thoughts on this word:

"We are not clear on the meaning of the word Gittith.  Some think it refers to Gath, and may refer to a tune commonly sung there, or an instrument of music there invented, or a song of Obed-edom the Gittite, in whose house the ark rested, or, better still, a song sung over Goliath of Gath. 
"Others, tracing the Hebrew to its root, conceive it to mean a song for the winepress, a joyful hymn for the treaders of grapes.  The term Gittith is applied to two other psalms (Psalm 81 and Psalm 84) both of which being of a joyous character, it may be concluded that where we find that word in the title, we may look for a hymn of delight."

C.I. Scofield titles this psalm "God's glory and man's dominion."

David is addressing God throughout this psalm. There is no back and forth addressing God and then man, as we see in some other psalms.

The first verse and the last verse of Psalm 8 contain the same words: "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!"  Concerning this, Spurgeon comments, "The first and last verses are a sweet song of admiration, in which the excellence of the name of God is exalted.  The intermediate verses are made up of holy wonder at the LORD's greatness in creation, and at His condescension toward man."

David goes on to say in verses 1b and 2:

* You have set Your glory above the heavens
* Out of the mouths of babies and infants you have established strength because of Your foes.

Why?  So that it will "still the enemies and the avengers."

In verses 3-8 David goes on to reflect on the relationship, and the contrast, between God and man.  He says, 

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place ... What is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You care for  him?  You have:

* Made man a little lower than the angels
* Crowned man with glory and honor
* Given man dominion over creation

David then reiterates the majesty and excellence of God's name in all the earth.

Now for some cross-references!

Cross-references for "name" (v.1) -- "Let them praise the name of the LORD; for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven."  (Psalm 148:13)

"And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted."  (Isaiah 12:4)

"And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD."  (Exodus 34:5)

Cross-references for "glory" (v.1) -- "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork."  (Psalm 19:1)

"The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens."  (Psalm 113:1)

Cross-references for "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings" (v. 2) -- "And Jesus saith unto them, Yea, have ye not read, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" (Matthew 21:16)

"At that time Jesus answered, and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."  (Matthew 11:35)

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."  (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Cross-reference for "strength" (v.2) -- "O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the nations shall come unto Thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things in which there is no profit."  (Jeremiah 16:19)

Cross-reference for "the enemy" (v.2) -- "My confusion is continually before me,  and the shame of my face has covered me, For the voice of him who reproacheth and blasphemeth, by reason of the enemy and avenger."  (Psalm 44:15-16)

Cross-reference for "consider Thy heavens" (v.3) -- "The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them who have pleasure therein."  (Psalm 111:2)

Cross-references for "fingers" (v.3) -- "Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, this is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them, as the LORD had said."  (Exodus 8:19)

"And He gave unto Moses, when He had ceased speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God."  (Exodus 31:18)

Cross-reference for "which Thou hast ordained" (v.3) -- "And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; He made the stars also."  (Genesis 1:16)

Cross-references for "man" (v.4) -- "What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him, and that Thou shouldest set Thine heart upon him, and that Thou shouldest visit him every morning, and test him every moment?"  (Job 7:17-18)

"But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?  Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him?  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels, Thou crownest him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet."  (Hebrews 2:6-8a)

Cross-reference for "what is man" (v.4) -- "LORD, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him?  Or the son of man, that Thou makest account of him?"  (Psalm 144:3)

Cross-reference for "the son of man" (v.4) -- "Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself."  (Psalm 80:17)

Cross-references for "visitest him" (v.4) -- "Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it; Thou greatly enrichest it with the the river of God, which is full of water; Thou preparest them grain, when Thou hast so provided for it."  (Psalm 65:9)

"Thou hast granted me life and favor; and Thy care hath preserved my spirit."  (Job 10:12)

Cross-reference for "glory and honor" (v.5) -- "The king shall joy in Thy strength, O LORD; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!  His glory is great in Thy salvation; honor and majesty hast Thou laid upon him."  (Psalm 21:1, 5)

Cross-reference for "dominion" (v.6) -- "And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."  (Genesis 1:26)

Cross-reference for "all things under his feet" (v.6) -- "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All authority is given to Me in heaven and in earth."  (Matthew 28:18)

A= "Here man is the pinnacle of divine creation, the one made to exhibit great glory and receive great honor ... [Man] was made 'in the image of God', specially equipped in body, soul, and spirit to know and be known of God." -- Stuart Briscoe

"The scope and business of this psalm seems plainly to be this: to display and celebrate the great love and kindness of God to mankind, not only in His creation, but especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ." -- Charles Spurgeon

"The carnal mind sees God in nothing, not even in spiritual things, His Word and ordinances.  The spiritual mind sees Him in everything, even in natural things, in looking on the heavens and the earth and all the creatures."  -- Robert Leighton

"If man has been made supreme in the earthly realm and gifted uniquely for a special relationship with his Creator, it is no surprise to discover that God has given man a superb role in His plan.  It is to have dominion over all the works of God's hands.

"One clear fact is that God made a fantastic world and set man loose in it to develop and explore it.  Man's unbelievable mandate was to use his God-given talent to discover the resources of earth and to adapt all that he found to the development of God's creation in every sphere." -- Stuart Briscoe, What Works When Life Doesn't

As I read what these writers had to say, it occurred to me that I do see God in everything, even natural things, as Robert Leighton says.  I can't look at anything in nature without seeing the Creator behind it, and I love to help others to see this as well.  How I praise God for showing me my need of a Savior, for drawing me to Himself, for helping me to have a spiritual mind.  What love and kindness!  

Realizing that God has given man dominion over His Creation is a sobering reminder to me that we are to be stewards of all that God has given us -- to use it wisely for His purposes and His glory.  Even the way that we care for our own homes and property is important!

P= "Lord, truly Your name is excellent in all the earth!  How I praise You for Your amazing creativity and power in Creation!  It is astounding to observe the night sky and to consider Your heavens, the works of Your hands, the moon and the stars -- and to realize that You, the sovereign Creator, care for me.  You are not only mindful of man; You desire a relationship with us.  You care and want to bring hope and healing to our lives.  

"I pray that You will help me to point others to you and also to be a good and wise steward of all that You have provided.    I praise and thank You for all that You have done and all that You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

Reflection question: David beautifully expresses the glory and majesty of God in this psalm of praise.

How do you catch a glimpse of God's love for you through the moon, the stars and all of His creation?

My response: In His provision for sure; in His giving man dominion over His creation.

But the "glimpse of God's love" that means the most to me concerns the stars.  A favorite passage of mine for years has been Psalm 147:4-5: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name."

The fact that the all-powerful, almighty, all-wise Creator of the universe --  the One who knows the number of the stars and calls them all by name -- cares about healing my broken heart and binding up my wounds ... well, I find that breathtaking, as well as incredibly comforting and encouraging. 

I recall a time many years ago when we were away from home and I was deeply concerned about something.  A look at the night sky served as a deeply comforting reminder of God's faithfulness and power over any and every situation.

And there is our simple study of Psalm 8.  I hope it was a blessing to someone today!

Hodgepodge for a winter's day

 

 Again this week I'm joining in with Joyce and the gang for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.  Here we go ...

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970's) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen's English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's list includes-

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), 

sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? How many did you have to look up? Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. 

I don't think I use any of these on a regular basis.   My hubby does quite often use the word "utilize" which always bugs me, but in general he uses it right in line with the definition "to make practical and effective use of".  As in some of his repair projects at his volunteer job: "We can utilize that scrap of countertop or leftover tile, etc. in the renovation in the _________ building."

I had to look up "skibidi".  I find IYKYK quite annoying and also sorry not sorry.  I think they just annoy me because they tend to be overused, and in the case of the first one, sometimes I don't know, so I don't know, if you get what I mean.

 

Another very annoying phrase is "POV".  I'm sure I've mentioned this one before.  Sometimes one sees it on Instagram and it isn't actually portraying a point of view in any way.

2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

 

I make many different soups and we enjoy soup often in winter.  A favorite in our family is this one: Cheeseburger Soup. 

3. How do you feel about winter? What's one winter activity you look forward to? 

I like winter in many ways.  It's beautiful.  I don't mind the cold or snow really, though I hate driving on ice or on very slippery snow.   As far as a winter activity I look forward to, a winter walk is fun if the wind isn't too intense and the footing is okay.  I also like taking some time in the winter, when things are less busy, to sew, crochet, and cross-stitch.  Like the sampler below which I finally finished this year and now have displayed in the front hallway:

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as 'a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort'. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 

I do like this color and in fact have a skirt in a very similar hue, bought at a thrift store for 99¢ some years ago.  I would use it in my home too.   A couch or chair in this color would work well in our pine paneled living room.

In a similar, but not really vein...if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup of mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

A cup of mocha!!  It is cold and windy up here in New Hampshire.  13 degrees,  16 mph wind, = feels like -4º.  It stands to reason I would go with the hot drink. 

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.  

snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball's chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

Snowed under!  Not with snow, but with stuff!   My hubby and I really, really need to declutter and downsize while we still have the physical strength and energy to do so.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

So thankful for Christian friendship and fellowship!  We had a lovely day with our friends Syd and Cyndy yesterday, ate brunch out, shopped some unique stores, visited back at our home, and then enjoyed an early snack supper before they headed home.  Today, we had our friend Jennifer and her 2-year-old over for lunch (homemade alphabet vegetable soup and grilled cheese), and that was delightful as well.  

That's the Hodgepodge for this week!

Sunday Scripture

 

Well, we're back to our ongoing series on my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources right here on Women Living Well, Psalms 1-50.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I will attempt to journal an answer to.  Today's study is from Psalm 7.  It zeroes in on verse 10, but I chose to SOAP verses 1-10.

S= "O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust;save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me,
"Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
"O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there be iniquity in my hands,
"If I have rewarded evil unto him who was at peace with me (yea, I have delivered him who without cause is mine enemy)
"Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust.  Selah.
"Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger; lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies, and awake for me to the judgment that Thou hast commanded.
"So shall the congregation of the peoples compass thee about; for their sakes, return Thee on high.
"The LORD shall judge the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to Thy righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
"Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God testeth the minds and hearts.
"My defense is with God, who saveth the upright in heart."  (Psalm 7:1-10)

O=  C. I. Scofield has titled this psalm "A prayer for deliverance."  The biblical heading for it is "Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite."  A hand-scribbled note under this explains that this person -- Cush, the Benjamite -- is "one of Saul's henchmen who accused David of treason."  The NKJV heads the psalm this way: "A meditation of David, which he sang to the Lord, [etc.]".  The ESV defines "Shiggaion" as "probably a musical or liturgical term".  Interestingly, Habakkuk chapter 3 is also introduced as a prayer "upon Shigionoth" which one Bible defines as "probably musical instruments" and another "according to variable songs."

 For "put my trust" (v.1), ESV has "take refuge." 

Cross-reference: "In the LORD put I my trust; how say ye say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?  For lo, the wicked bend their bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may secretly shoot at the upright in heart."  (Psalm 11:1-2)

Cross-reference for "save me" (v.1) -- "My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from those who persecute me."  (Psalm 31:15)

Cross-reference for "a lion" (v.2) -- "For [mine affliction] increaseth.  Thou huntest me as a fierce lion, and again Thou showest Thyself marvelous upon me."  (Job 10:16)

Job is speaking to God here, or rehearsing what he will say to God.  The ESV reads: "And were my head lifted up, you would hunt me like a lion and again work wonders against me."

Cross-reference for "none to deliver" (v. 2) -- "Now consider this, ye who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver."

Cross-reference for "if I have done this" (v. 3) -- "And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou worthless fellow; the LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, thy son, and behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man."  (2 Samuel 16:7-8)

Cross-references for "iniquity in my hands" (v.3) -- "Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know then and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it."  (1 Samuel 24:11)

"And he said, Why doth my lord thus pursue after his servant?  For what have I done?  Or what evil is in mine hand?"  (1 Samuel 26:18)

Cross-reference for "him who was at peace with me" (v.4) -- "He hath put forth his hands against such are at peace with him; he hath broken his covenant."  (Psalm 55:20)

Cross-references for "delivered him who without cause is my enemy" (v.4) -- "So David restrained his servants with these words, and permitted them not to rise against Saul.  But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way." (1 Samuel 24:7)

"And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" (1 Samuel 26:9)

Cross-reference for "tread down my life upon the earth" (v.5) -- "Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground."  (Psalm 89:39)

Cross-reference for "arise, O LORD, in Thine anger (v.6) -- "Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly."  (Psalm 3:7)

Cross-references for "lift up Thyself" (v.6) -- "Lift up Thyself,  Thou Judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud."  (Psalm 92:6)

"Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted, now will I lift Myself."  (Isaiah 33:10)

Cross-references for "awake for me" (v.6) -- "Awake, why sleepest Thou, O LORD?  Arise, cast us not off forever." (Psalm 44:23)

"Stir up Thyself, and awake to my right, even to my cause, my God and my Lord."  (Psalm 35:28)

"They run and prepare themselves apart from any fault of mine; awake to help me, and behold."  (Psalm 59:4)

Bildad told Job, "If thou wert pure and upright, surely He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous."  (Job 8:6)

Cross-reference for "judge the peoples" (v.8) -- "So that a man shall say, Verily, there is a reward for the righteous; verily, He is a God that judgeth in the earth." (Psalm 58:11) 

Cross-references for "judge me, O LORD" (v.8) -- "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity; I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide."  (Psalm 26:1)

"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man."  (Psalm 43:1)

Cross-references for "according to my righteousness" (.8) -- "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me."  (Psalm 18:20)

"Judge me, O LORD, according to Thy righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me."  (Psalm 35:24)

Cross-references for "test"(v.9) -- "The LORD testeth the righteous, but the wicked and him who loveth violence His soul hateth." (Psalm 11:5)

"But He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tested me, I shall come forth as gold."  (Job 23:10)

Cross-references for "minds and hearts" (v. 9) -- "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; test my heart and my mind."  (Psalm 26:2)

"I the LORD search the heart; I test the conscience, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."  (Jeremiah 17:10)

The phrase "my defense is with God" (v.10) literally means "my shield is with God."

Cross-reference for "with God" (v.10) -- "Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him.  God is a refuge for us.  Selah." (Psalm 62:8)

Cross-reference for "upright in heart" (v.10) -- "But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings; wherefore, their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests."  (2 Chronicles 29:34)

Daily Walk Bible points out, "The enemies of God's people are also the enemies of God.  Responding to those enemies is David's burden here.  In the face of dangerous opposition, David seeks God's justice."

A= My enemies are also God's enemies, and I can trust Him to act justly in any situation I face.  I can do as David did and cry out to God for justice, deliverance, and vindication, while also asking Him to search my own heart for any wrongdoing.  He is the One who tests minds and hearts.

I'm so thankful that my defense is with God and that He is the One who saves the upright in heart.  He does vindicate His people in His timing.  Justice eventually is done, and deliverance comes in His time as well.

Warren Wiersbe shares some helpful thoughts in With the Word: "We do not know what Cush said about David, but apparently he was one of the 'court liars' who flattered Saul and made life difficult for David."  Wiersbe counsels: "When you have a 'Cush' in your life, do what David did:

* Be honest with God.  David did not say that the enemy was telling the truth, but he was willing for God to examine his heart and punish him.  He had nothing to hide.

* Let God be the judge.  It is wise to let God be the judge because His judgment is always right.  We do not see ourselves and others as He sees, so it is best to turn the matter over to Him.  David was careful to maintain his integrity and let God be his defense.

* Wait on the Lord.

* Give God thanks.

P= "Lord, how thankful I am that I can trust You to deal with my enemies even though they may speak against me and falsely accuse me.  You know my heart and You know the truth of every matter.  You will bring about justice, deliverance, and vindication in Your perfect time and in Your perfect way.  You will be a shield for me even in the midst of verbal attacks, and You will help me to stand strong.  You will judge my enemies and will deal with the wicked in Your timing as well.  I trust You to act justly and righteously.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Reflection question: David was crying out to the Lord for justice, deliverance and vindication, while asking God to search his heart.

Have you ever been blamed falsely for something?  How did you handle it and how was God your shield?

My response: Yes, I have been blamed falsely for things a couple of times.  In both cases I committed the situation to the Lord.  In the first case the accuser ended up apologizing to me -- but it was not really an apology; more along the lines of "I'm sorry you were hurt by what I said".  Not an apology at all really, but I accepted it as maybe the best he was capable of.

During the second situation, which was lengthier and much more public, I remember feeling emotionally battered and bruised a lot of the time -- and reading through Psalms and recognizing God as a refuge and shield for me helped tremendously.  I did feel shielded and  somewhat "hidden from the strife of tongues" even though a great deal of talking and accusing was going on.

And there is our simple study of Psalm 7.  I hope it was a blessing to someone!

First hodgepodge of 2025

 

After a break for Christmas,  I'm joining in with Joyce and the gang for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.  Here we go ...

1. Oxford's Word of the year for 2024 is 'brain rot'. Are you familiar with this term? Do you suffer from the condition? Ha! This is a term used to 'capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media'. If you were choosing a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life personally) what word would you choose? 

I am not familiar with this term, but I would agree that the condition it describes seems endemic in our culture today.  I don't suffer from it myself as I tend to avoid low-quality content of any sort.  But I believe that were my hubby computer literate, he would be suffering from it.  He used to be that way about television -- at a store, at someone's home, wherever -- if it was on, he had to look at it no matter how useless it was.   He has the tendency to be the same with any screen.

A word to capture 2024 for the nation/world?  That's a tough assignment.  Maybe conflict?  Uncertainty?  Trepidation?   Surprising?

2. It's National Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)...will you be participating in one of these events (or even your own)? How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? Do you have a traditional New Year's Day menu? 

No plans for any such event.  I hate cold water and thank God every day for the blessings of heat and hot water.

I'll probably spend the first day of January doing some planning and goal setting, plus starting a new Bible reading program and other new year stuff.

We don't have a traditional New Year's Day menu.  

This rushing, icy waterfall is part of a favorite shopping center.  They usually put a lighted tree partway down.  I love that!

3. What's something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year? 

Crafting.   How will I do more of it in the new year?  I really have no idea, sadly.  It seems something else will have to go.

A project I hope to start soon.

4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What's one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay? 

No, I don't struggle with January blues.  I tend to look at a new year with a lot of optimism and I always love the idea of fresh starts.

5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.

I don't always choose a word, but I have in fact already chosen one for this year.   I will hopefully be blogging about it soon.  I don't make resolutions, but I do set some goals.  I haven't spelled out yet what those will look like for this year, though I have set some goals for January and posted them yesterday.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Sewing bigger projects (and we are talking a lap size quilt here) seems to be more of a challenge as I age.  No plans whatsoever to make any more of these pillow quilts once these two are done.

Previous pillow quilt

And there is the very first Hodgepodge of a new year!

Looking to a New Year ... and a few January goals

 

Since I've scheduled a Hodgepodge post for January 1,  I thought I would share a quick New Year post on this last day of 2024.  Astoundingly, this will complete 31 days of December posting in both blogs.  It took time, more time than I had some days, but I'm happy to have met this challenge.

I shared the following last January 1, but I think it's a good reminder (for me, and maybe for you as well)  so I'll share it again:

As I wrote in countless Christmas cards last month, my wish and prayer for each of us is a happy, healthy, and spiritually prosperous year in 2025.  I have often thought about what the apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius in 3 John, verse 2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."  Gaius obviously had such a strong, vibrant spiritual life that John prayed for his physical health to be as vigorous as  his spiritual state.  I wonder, what would our physical health look like if someone were to pray that prayer for us?  Something to think about in a new year!

If you could use some fresh inspiration for the new year, you might enjoy a visit to my Pinterest board A New Year, A Fresh Start.  I'll be revisiting it myself! 

It's also time to set some goals for January:

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Get back to working through the "Make Room Challenge" from Make Room for What You Love
* Decorate our home for winter
* Get together with friends in early January
* Have my friend Jennifer and her toddler over for lunch
* Enjoy our church ladies' gathering
* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Begin reading through the One-Year Chronological Bible
* Continue with my study of Psalms for my Sunday Scripture series
* Begin studying and preparing for my ladies'' Sunday School class -- to start in a few months
* Continue through the wonderful Daily Grace Co. study of Habakkuk, Even If (this is intended to be a 3-week study; it has taken me months since I only work on it on Saturdays)
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan menus and begin food preparation for a ministry opportunity in mid-January
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Get back to memorizing the book of James
* Continue to help a widowed friend with the challenges of life in general
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Resume the habit of getting outdoors for the morning light
* Start a 40-day sugar fast
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week

HEALTHY HABITS FOR JANUARY:  Drink more water/get more sleep/get more exercise/intermittent fasting/limit carbs

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

On this last Monday of 2024,  I'm taking a few minutes to join Sandra for this link party over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

The Weather:::

At 9 am, it's an unseasonable 42º and cloudy, with a gentle rain falling.  The rain has been heavy at times overnight and is predicted to end by 2 this afternoon.

As I look outside my window:::

We already had a decent amount of snow, so our driveway is now a combination of slush and mud.  The roads are bare but wet.  There is still plenty of snow on the ground, and a light rain continues to fall.

Right now I am:::

 Working on a blog post. 

 
Thinking and pondering:::

 About so much from Glad & Golden Hours, which I am continuing to work my way through.  Here are a few lines:  

"It is a worthy care to keep the family gate, admitting only that which contributes to the well-being of those within.  There are plenty of things that we cannot control in life, but the atmosphere of our living spaces is entirely in our hands."

That last sentence was both a jolt and an encouragement.

On my bedside table::: 

 A lamp, a book, 2 pens and a tube of Blistex.

Listening to::: 

The rain dripping from the eaves.

On the Breakfast plate::: 

I do intermittent fasting so don't have breakfast. Lunch will be a salad of leaf lettuce, cubed turkey,  and cheddar cheese or pepperjack.

On the dinner plate::: 

Kielbasa roasted with onions, peppers and Brussels sprouts

On the menu for this week::: 

 A few meals on my menu plan:

Hamburgers, cauliflower mac'n'cheese

Pork chops divan

Taco pie, green beans

 

On my reading pile:::

 

  Glad and Golden Hours, by Lanier Ivester -- an early Christmas gift from my daughter that I am loving.  I just finished my more-or-less annual reread of Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon, and am back to Spiritual Mothering, by Susan Hunt.

 
On my to do list today:::

 

 Spend time cross stitching

Begin work on pillow quilt
Make a couple of freezer meals for my local daughter
Weekly home blessing

Crochet a square for my temperature blanket

We plan to stay at our little camp tonight since the temperatures are so mild

Plans for this week:::

Ironing

Blogging

Start a pillow quilt

Make some fudge and no-bake cookies for kitchen gifts

Begin decluttering our paperwork

Work in zones 5 and 1 

Update my Christmas notebook

Begin planning menus and groceries for a ministry team

What I am creating:::

 

⛄  Winter cross-stitch projects

⛄  Pillow quilt

⛄  A granny square temperature blanket

 

Above is progress on the temperature blanket, which I started February 1, 2024 -- so it won't be finished until the end of January.  Counting the extra squares which are needed to help this blanket come out square, I have 35 more squares to add.

Bible verse, Devotional, Quote:::

 

A thought-provoking quote from Spiritual Mothering:

 

"Kindness is foundational and should characterize our relationships both in and out of the home.  The dictionary defines kind as warmhearted, helpful, tolerant, charitable, considerate, thoughtful.  Paul gives further definition to kindness when he says, 'When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, no because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.'  (Titus 3:4-5)  God extended kindness to us when we neither deserved nor appreciated it.  To emulate our Savior, we are to take kindness to the same level in our relationships -- to those who do not 'deserve' it and appear not to appreciate it."

 

On my prayer list:::

 

Friends & family
Church family
Missionaries
Our country

Those in North Carolina and parts of Tennessee still displaced by the results of Hurricane Helene.

 

I will be sharing an entire post about this tomorrow.

 

And there's the Happy Homemaker Monday  for this week!