"Trey Tuesday" - September 27, 2016

The Giant Puzzle

There are many cute sayings to express the Truth that Jesus began when He prayed for all believers:  "I pray also ...that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You."  John 17:20, 21 

Yes, it takes a village!

Yes, we're all in this together!

Yes, one for all and all for one!

Yes, we'd all like to be a pepper, too!

We have so much in common, yet we are each unique.  God has a perfect masterpiece in mind when He creates each one of us.  Piece by piece, each image, skill, talent, gift, personality, ability, and intellect is critical in His masterpiece!  Why do we spend so much time fighting over differences and judging each other when each one of us is priceless!?

Trey had crystal blue eyes, I have brown eyes.  Could I love him any less?

Bella has blond hair, you might have red hair.  Does that change her beauty?

Joe is very tall, you might be...not so tall!  :)  Isn't he still so charming?

Look around you this week.  Find some people different than than you are.  Thank God and thank them for God's perfect design!

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10

"Trey Tuesday" - September 20, 2016

Dig Deep

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."  Proverbs 10:12

I read this verse this week and its simplicity struck me!

Don't hate; LOVE!  :)

Let's dig a little deeper...

Hatred stirs up, uncovers, creates, digs up trouble...

Love covers over, hides, conceals, forgives...

The shovel can destroy a garden or dig a deep foundation.

Your life, your personality, your job, your choices have the same potential.

Do you dig up?

Or do you smooth things over?

Do you stir up trouble?

Or do you seek to forgive?

Trey stirred up trouble in a different kind of way (especially with his parents!)  :)

The rest of the time he loved, loved, loved!
How will you use the precious gift of your life?

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  I Peter 4:8

"Trey Tuesday" - September 13, 2016

My Cup Runneth Over

Another Pittsburgh weekend leaves me with a full tank of sweet memories!  :)


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Yes, my cup runneth over.  But let's take a look at that concept and that verse:
"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."  Psalm 23:5

Where does all that oil come from that fills my cup to overflowing?

Olive oil is produced from olives being crushed.

Wine is made from smashed grapes.

And coffee beans must be ground in order to make the delicious brew.

It is in the crushing, the sacrificial peril, that God provides an abundance of blessing.

Trey is missing from our family photos now.  It hurts all the time.  God, however, is able to use the memories of Trey's short life to remind us to treasure each other, despite the painful cost of loving so deeply.

Many of my dear friends are fighting excruciating battles tonight.  Battles that are crushing them.  You are being crushed in one way or another, too.  Please trust that one day, some day, God will take that pain and fill your cup to overflowing!

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing."  Psalm 23:1

"Trey Tuesday" - September 6, 2016

Rest

Our long awaited trip to the beach was finally arriving....so was Hurricane Hermine!  Ugh!  Our vacation, our time of rest and relaxation was going to be ruined!

Did you ever feel like that?  Recognition long overdue at work....an improved health report....your car to pass inspection one more time please oh please oh please...etc.
The ever elusive carrot of "rest" dangles in front of you, juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust out of reach.

Jay and Rachel have great faith in trusting God's plan for Trey's short life.  They "rest" in God's promises.

Early on the morning of our beach trip the daily Bible verse on my app read:
"Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Jesus didn't promise me sunny skies and warm temperatures this weekend.  He didn't promise good fishing or long naps.
HE promised to be my refuge, my refreshment....my rest.

Accept no substitutes - God, as Rest, is enough for you today....