"Trey Tuesday" - March 27, 2018

Let's Go for a Walk!

I think we are all ready for a nice springtime walk in the park!  It has been a long, cold winter, right?  Bring on the sunshine and warm air!

We have just 4 days left in March.  How will we spend them?

As we prepare for Easter, let's walk the final steps with Jesus through the book of Matthew, chapters 21-28 :

Palm Sunday began the Holy Week journey for Jesus.  He was then met with disrespect, had His authority questioned, was betrayed, arrested, disowned, mocked, beaten, ridiculed, and crucified.....that's a whole LOT worse than our recent snow and cold!

However, it seems like so many people are suffering these days.  Cancer diagnoses are becoming more and more common.  Personal and cultural issues are tearing families apart.  And there is illness.  And tragedy.  And death.

BUT WAIT!  Sunday's coming!  :)

Keep reading until Matthew 28:6!!

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."

Thank you, God, for that Easter Sunday promise fulfilled!

Thank you for that hope!

Our journey with Jesus continues well beyond the Good Fridays of our lives.

Trust Him who knows the end from the beginning.  The One who will provide the right path to walk, every day of your life!  

“Peace be with you!”  John 20:19

"Trey Tuesday" - March 20, 2018

Spring!

Take a look around - no, wait!  Let's take a look around, but not look out the window at the snow!  :)

The signs of springtime are all around us.  We have added hours of daylight to our days. The robins have returned.  Cadbury eggs are back in the stores!  Even shorts and flip flops are available!  And of course, Rita's and Dairy Queen kicked off the season with free treats!  :)

Yes, the temps are low, the ice and snow are falling, and the shovels and snow blowers are taking up space where the yard toys and baby pool belong!  But....the truth is that today does mark the beginning of spring!  Feel it or not, it's true.  Looks like it or not, it is. God will provide the warm days and picnics and bare feet right around the corner!

“Surely He has done great things!

Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice.Surely the Lord has done great things!Do not be afraid, you wild animals,for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.The trees are bearing their fruit;the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.Be glad, people of Zion,rejoice in the Lord your God,for He has given you the autumn rains because He is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,both autumn and spring rains, as before."  Joel 2:21-23

"Trey Tuesday" - March 13, 2018

HELP!!

We use the word, 'help' everywhere:  Information desks, books, movies, music....even the blue Walmart vests boast, "How may I help you?"

But why is it so difficult for us to ask for help?  Asking for help shows that you are resourceful and that you know how to find answers, right?  Then why do we view it as a weakness?

Children naturally ask for - and accept - help.

Older, and wiser, friends know their limits and when to ask for help.

So what is wrong with the rest of us?  We bite our tongues, dig in deep, and struggle all alone.  What relationships and blessings are we missing out on when we pridefully and fearfully refuse to ask for help?

Take a look at the attached picture.  Trey needed help in order to make the basket.  He and Jay look pretttttty happy working​ together!  

Try it tomorrow.  Ask for help.  And stir up a little joy!  :)

"let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"  Hebrews 10:24

"Trey Tuesday" - March 6, 2018

Bubbles!

Research shows that there is no angry way to say "bubbles".  OK, my research was Google, but try it!  :)  There is something about the word that sets your mind at ease!

There is so much pain and sickness and grief and fear and brokenness in our lives lately, I thought perhaps today we could focus on some happiness.

You know another word that is difficult to say in an angry way?  Grandma  <3

And the phrase, "You're right."

And of course I can't say, "Trey" without a sweet smile.

Bubbles won't take away the burdens of your heart, but they will refresh you, if even for a brief moment!  :)

"Those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."  Isaiah 51:11

"Trey Tuesday" - February 27, 2018

Gold Medal Winners!

The Olympics are over, the athletes can now rest.  They have fought their fights.

They have finished their races.

This past week, Billy Graham finished his race.  He can now rest with Jesus.  And with Trey.  And Poppi.   And Alice.  And Allan.  And Richard.  And Clarence.   And Joe.  And Helen.  And Jim and Patty.  And Bill and Nancy.  And Susan.  And Kathleen.  And Molly.  And Ellen.  And teeny tiny babies.  And many, many others!  :)

It brings me comfort and joy to imagine my loved ones together in the presence of Jesus!  Let's continue to paint the image of this joyful family reunion!

Who is your Gold Medal Winner now resting with Jesus?

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7,8

"Trey Tuesday" - February 20, 2018

No Gold Medal...Yet!

Millions of athletes all over the world are striving to win a gold medal.  Children (and/or their parents) begin training at very young ages and invest a lot of time, money, and energy to follow the path to the Olympic podium.

Most of us, though, are not Olympic athletes.  Not even close.  

However, we all invest a lot of time, money, and energy in other things:  family, friends, neighbors, work, fashion, rest, play, yard work, screens, exercise, financials, decor, humor, etc....everything temporary....everything except eternity!  

How much time do you invest each day considering eternity?  Striving to follow Jesus?  Seek God?  Listen to Him?  Consider life and time beyond right now?

We will not receive gold medals this side of heaven....but the gold in heaven is  definitely worth the wait!  :)

"Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come"  I Timothy 4:7,8

"Trey Tuesday" - February 13, 2018

Out of Control!

I was praying for our adult children the other day and I was reminding myself that their lives are out of my control now.  And then I was thinking about friends of mine who just had a baby.  "Wow!" I thought, "They can't control their child either!"

Aaaaaaand then I thought about myself...yep...I am out of my control!

This winter we have learned that we can't control (or predict!) weather.  Time marches on, ready or not!  And you only need to watch the news - or gas prices - for a minute to learn that we can't control the value of money.

Long ago, I memorized Psalm 46:10:  "Be still, and know that the Lord is God."   

Here is Psalm 46:10 in another version of the Bible:  “Cease striving and know that the Lord is God". 

I'll forever be striving to live out that verse.