Category: Faith

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Humor, Just do it, Look, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Not Allow the World to Deaden Us

Read this quote and just knew I would want to comment on it.

We have a responsibility to hold to the power of love that we know to be true, and to not allow the world around us to deaden that in ourselves.

LUCAS JOHNSON

We were watching Project Hail Mary and he used the line, “Shields up!” from Star Wars. And the computer answered him with a humorous line.

We greatly enjoyed the movie. I believe we watched it on Amazon Prime? At least it took my mind off my forced sitting.

I am not a movie expert, but when negative things come at me, and I suddenly realize it, I tend to tell myself, “Shields up!”

The quote says to “hold to the power of love that we know to be true.” Shields up! Grasp that power of love! Do not allow the world around us to deaden us to any good power within us. It is not only the space movies of the modern age that tell us this. Paul told the believers in Ephesus to put on the FULL armor of God. Those words hold true for us in 2026 also.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:10-15 NIV

AND 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:16-18 NIV

When was the last time you consciously took up your shield of faith? Deliberately put on the full armor of God? When was the last time you read this passage in your Bible and knew for a certainty that it was something God wanted you to do?

Stay conscious, alert, diligent to what is going on around you.

Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NRSVUE

And if you get a chance to see it, enjoy the Project Hail Mary. It is almost a one man show with Ryan Gosling and he also produced it. I found it very entertaining!

Posted on in Faith, Family, Joy, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Last Sunday

I finally made it back to church last Sunday! Bob, my trusty chauffeur, drove me there. I used the walker to get to my chair in the outdoor setting on the lower parking lot pavement. I was grateful for the breeze and the shade of the oak trees. The trees reminded us there had been rain the night before as the occasional drop from the leaf surfaces fell upon us. Just made us smile! It was good to be with my family of believers. I was so tired by the time we returned home!!

Rev. Alice Connor revised this service from “Sundays and Seasons, Setting 1. Here are portions.

" O God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us o your table, grant us your life.

"O God, you are Breath:
send your Spirit on this meal.
O God, you are Bread:
feed us with yourself.
O God, you are wine:
warm our hearts and make us one.
O God, you are Fire:
transform us with hope.
O God most majestic,
O God most motherly,
O God our strength and our song,
you show us a vision of a tree of life with fruits for all
and leaves that heal the nations. Amen."

Ponder that for a while. Read the above again. God has promised that we have been given everything we need.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NRSVUE

O God open our eyes and our hearts to see your mighty provisions for us. Help us to open our hands, our hearts and our eyes to receive your goodness.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Humor, Illness and Health, Just do it, Special Event

Doctor Description

He wrote I had a 1st MTP hardware removal fusion revision, bone graft, 2nd MTP capsular hepby. The first MTp fusion did not fuse correctly.

Two plates, nine screws in the area of one great toe. Ouch, ouch, ouchy. The swelling continues and I elevate, ice and try not to react. Sit, listen to audio books, crochet a little, nap, rest my head, try not to think too much. Rub Aquaphor into the scar and surrounding area. Tender!

I am coming to intensely dislike this orthopedic boo . Regardless of what sock I choose it leaves lines in my foot. I know if I do not honor his instructions, this will not heal properly. Trust me, I WANT this healing to be proper and thorough.

My husband, who thinks he is highly humorous, loved Dan’s cartoon about “This little piggy.” I did NOT as it hit too close to home for me. Doc told us if this gets infected he would have to amputate my toe.

Bob did make up for his unappreciated comedy by finding a difficult to find candy bar at Walgreens for me. He told the cashier he had to make amends for making fun of me. Okay. I can accept that! And trust me, that candy will last a long time.

After elevating and icing July 16
Toe July 20 after being down for several hours.

They used so much betadine for the surgery it might never come out of my nails! Foot really looks much better than it did a month ago. I did not post the bloody, scabby photo.

I have not done anything about learning Origami other than look at the image I want to create. Oh well. Time to stop writing and go ice and elevate. My toe dictates much of my life right now!

This creation by ChatGPT and me.

ChatGPT wanted a toe on the obey button. It looked to weird to me.

Posted on in Faith

Post Never Showed

I wrote a blog with a video showing dog humor. No idea why it never showed up today?

I am in week 6 of 8 sitting to heal this foot. I am allowed to put my foot down as long as I only step on my heel. My foot still does not like the pull of gravity. Swells and tuns red, then purplish. Just ugly. I cannot imagine putting a shoe on that foot.

Bob took me to get new glasses. Mine were scratched. I could not figure out how I scratched my lenses? The tech said it was likely due to cleaning the lenses with a shirt or other rough fabric. Now I know. Last time I got new glasses they told me they only had one frame like mine. I get many compliments on these frames. This time he again said they had one left! Wonder how many are really around? Well I am wearing the new ones and glad i was able to get the same frames.

Even when I am nasty and disgusted with being limited, things can still go right.

Have a good rest fo your day!

Posted on in Faith, Music, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Worship, Yield

Judgement Day

Awoke singing this. Memory from the past? Foretelling the future? Just a fact, Jack? Do not know, but it hangs in my brain this past week. 

Very Last Day
Peter, Paul and Mary
Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Oh-well, you can sing about the great king David
And you can preach about the wisdom of Saul
But the judgement falls on all mankind when the trumpet sounds the call
All equal and the same, when the Lord, He calls your name
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Well, one day soon all men will stand
His word will be heeded in all the land
Men shall know and men shall see
We all are brothers and we all are free
Mankind was made of clay
Each of us in the very same way
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Oh-well, the law is given and the law is known
The tale is told and the seed is sown
From dust we came into dust we'll go
You the know the Lord once told us so
Each brother takes his hand
Heed the meaning of the Lord's command
Get ready, brother, for that day

Everybody gonna pray on the very last day
Oh, when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the Heavens on the judgement day

Written by: Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow
Album: In The Wind
Released: 1963
Posted on in Faith

Gratitude Has A Good Effect

Find gratitude in your life story. Wake up every morning and say to yourself, “I made it here from where I started, and I am so proud of that.” When we do this, we bless ourselves and feed ourselves with the love required for us to flourish and keep going no matter where we come from or what we have been through. Cleo Wade

Can you find gratitude in your today? When Bob worked in the hospital one of his duties was to draw blood samples from patients in the early morning hours. He routinely asked the patient how they were doing? One man answered, “Well, I woke up on the right side of the grass!”

I hope you can find more to be glad about than what side of the grass you are on. Or perhaps you were hoping to graduate to the other side of the grass? I have a few friends who would not object or hesitate if the Lord called them home this very day.

What about YOUR life story? Can you find things to be proud about? Can you find ‘things to bless and feed yourself with the love required to flourish and KEEP GOING ON’ as Cleo writes?

What have you been through that is extraordinary in your life? Can you give yourself credit for where you have come from to arrive here?

Taking stock like this, reflecting upon our very own life is essential for a full rounded view of who you are and who you have become. Your struggles are not just like the struggles of anyone else. You are valuable just because you are you. God walks with you whether you recognize the Holy Presence or not.

Rest in that thought. Delight in the accomplishments so far. Set your sights upon what is to come. And never give up, even if this hour is drippy with tears.

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, medical treatment, Praise, Prayer, Rest

Routine?

It used to be that the most distasteful thing I had to endure regularly was when the insulin pen ran low. Then I would use one needle to inject the remaining fluid from the pen and endure another needle to inject the remaining dose out of a new insulin pen. That might sound petty since the needles are so tiny, but when you feared needles as a child of three years old, two needles, no matter how small, are at minimum a psychological challenge. Now even that routine will need to change. Seems the pharmacy can no longer stock the insulin pens I know as routine! Waiting to hear from Doc what to do next!

Then I twisted my knee on my good leg. The twist was bad enough that when I would try to stand I was grinding my teeth in pain. That made things so that I needed to use a wheelchair instead of the knee roller.

Oi, yoi, yoi – frustration, exasperation. A friend who is a retired physical therapist brought a raised toilet seat that was even higher than ours, and much easier to use. She taught me how to move so I could avoid that awful knee pain. Bob bought me a compression brace for my knee (which I am still wearing). Another friend brought me her fancy knee brace which the doctor approved. Two weeks later, yes my knee is better, but I do not quite trust it yet.

About the only routine I have right now is almost no routine. Bob has gotten in the habit of setting up the dining room table for me to drink coffee, read my devotions, etc. I am able to fix my coffee and get the milk out for it. He is kind to return it to the refrigerator for me.

From there the day is determined by who is coming over, what my to-do list looks like for them, whether Bob needs to go some place or not. He is exhausted from doing all the shopping, etc. My day is mostly determined by how much time I can tolerate having my surgery foot on the floor.

Do you recall the post I made not too long ago about an ordinary day?

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. –Mary Jean Iron

Oh yes, that normal day of the not too distant past was a treasure indeed! I looked at my foot this morning and could not imagine how I will ever get it in a shoe again. But that too, will eventually become normal and routine.

Cherish what seems boring and normal and routine today. You never know when it will change as if a tsunami has hit your life!

Be willing to praise God regardless of the current circumstances. Years ago someone asked me how I was doing. I replied something like pretty good under the circumstances. They asked in what they likely thought was an encouraging voice, “What are you doing under the circumstances.” That truly was not helpful. To me a more Scriptural stance is to praise God in every circumstance.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSVUE

I freely admit there have been a few times the last few weeks when I have lost sight of the presence of the Lord. Melted into a puddle of tears and some self-pity. But the Lord is always at my right hand and willing to comfort me if I will but reach out, upon the Trinity, place my trust there.

So even if you are not able to give thanks in all circumstances, at least circle back to knowing the Lord is with you and resume praise and prayer.

So just spoke with pharmacy and doctor’s office. I will need to learn how to use syringe and insulin vials as the back order is to at least Mid-August. After pharmacy sells me Rx I need to make an appointment with the RN for education on how to do this method.

Also, the child how hated stitches, just removed two pieces of black stitches from the top of her foot and her heel. Gross! And large!! I give thanks for the stomach to remove those stitches. I am grateful I live in a country where insulin is available to me. Whew!!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Music, Nature, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Enough?

There are t-shirts and bumper stickers about declaring, “You are enough.” An essential message for those struggling with mental health.

In her devotional Amy Carmichael quoted part of the following hymn this morning.

July 7 "Translated from the old German of Ter Steegen have been in my heart:

Am I not enough, Mine own? enough,
Mine own, for thee?
********
All shalt thou find at last,
Only in Me.

Am I not enough, Mine own, I, forever
and alone, I, needing thee?

YouTube had this rendition


Yes, God is enough to get me through this. God can see you through your difficulties and challenges, too. I am determined to remember the message from the Lord through Ter Steegen that yes, God is enough!

I am weeks away from existing as a human Do-ing; I am more at peace if I rest for now in Be-ing. Christ is enough to help me get through this, but the neighbors and church family have certainly helped! Food Train threatened to become food flood. Flowers and flower bed helpers. Watermelon, soup, an entire meal just dropped at the house. People have come to help me with little chores and putting away my laundry, getting a load of wash started, getting things out of the dryer for me to fold.

Early this morning I saw a buck with two does walk through the neighbor’s yard. A baby bunny appeared out back. Then this afternoon I saw the buck again in a different area. He is a young buck, but a buck indeed. What a blessing! The Lord did not have to let me see that animal. It did cheer me up though! I cannot sit in my prayer chair. It is too low and right now too hard to get out of.

I am reminded there are people who will live the remainder of their lives in wheelchairs. Hopefully, this is just temporary for me. It certainly changes perspective on life. I was sitting in the kitchen one evening and Bob asked me what I was doing. I was thinking how easy it would be to just get up and walk to another room. And then remembered I may not. I want this surgery to be successful. I want the healing to go well. I am working hard to keep my glucose levels even and low. It is tempting though to give in to emotional eating. Not good thinking Molly Lin. As some used to call this, “Stinkin’ thinkin’!” That will get me no place good.

So please continue to lift us and others you know who are not up to their usual activities. We all need grace and all the help we can get. Prayer works. God can provide for us and through us. I will do this well, with God’s help.

Lord, we need Your touch!
Posted on in Faith

Must be Getting Better!

I wrote a few entries last week but I never set them up to send. I was preoccupied with improving my state of being and kept waiting for them to show up. Finally, I realized I must not have dated them for sending. Oh well, this week I hope to spend Tuesday morning writing and posting to you!

I must really be getting better, because today I have the itch to write!! But alas, I have a visitor coming at 10 AM. I have Bob assisting me with a shower and Monday morning for writing is not to be.

Amy Carmichael wrote in The Edges of His Ways

“Dr. F. B. Meyer once told me that when he was young he was very irritable, and an old man told him that he had found relief from this very thing by looking up the moment he felt it coming, and saying, “Thy sweetness, Lord.” By telling this, that old man greatly helped Dr. Meyer, and he told it to tens of thousands.

F. B. Meyer

“I pass it on to you because I have found it a certain and a quick way of escape. Take the opposite of your temptation and look up inwardly, naming that opposite: Untruth–Thy truth, Lord; Unkindness–Thy kindness, Lord; Impatience–Thy patience, Lord; Selfishness–Thy unselfishness, Lord; Roughness–Thy gentleness, Lord; Discourtesy–Thy courtesy, Lord; Resentment, inward heat, fuss–Thy sweetness, Lord, Thy calmness, Thy peacefulness.


“I think that no one who tries this very simple plan will ever give it up. (It takes it for granted, of course, that all is yielded–the “I” dethroned.) Will all to whom it is new please try it for a day, a week, a month, and test it.”

This is indeed a wonderful practice. When I want to be some place else besides in a chair, Your Presence, Lord. Yes, right here. Closer than my breath.