The Secret That Changed Everything For Me

"For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace." “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. "   --- 1 Corinthians 14:33, Isaiah 48:17

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Disclaimer: as always, you're free to live as you see best.  ツ

So last year a well-known evangelist took a survey as to whether he should continue writing at his blog. As I knew would happen, he received a thousand replies. Most folks said, 

"Yes! Continue writing." 

Yet others said, "End it." 

And "Maybe temporarily close it? Return to it later?" 

Also, "Write in it fewer times each week."

Or,"Get someone to help you."

And, "Do what you believe is best."

Good gracious!

Me? I rolled my eyes, then clicked to a new blog while thinking, "Sheesh! Why didn't he just ask God? God gives only one answer, the personalized, right one, not a bunch of confusion-causing ones."

Perhaps you've noticed I (generally) don't ask my readers what I should do with my life. 

I mean, hey. Of course I love all 120+ of you, but I prefer simplicity over hundreds of varying answers. 

The Holy Spirit, my oh my, is Mr. Simplicity. What matters most is that I listen to Him. 

Oh, He may lead me to a book. A vlogger. A movie, teacher, song, memory, map, website or friend. But never all in one tiny time period, never each with contradicting advice. No, that would whisk me away to figuring things out. To confusion. 

The Holy Spirit never leads me there. If I'm confused, it's certainly not His fault(!)

Why mention this? Because with our huge upcoming move, simplicity will remain vital. How easy, how average/typical to make one's head spin (and achy) during a life change!

Instead, Tom and I will calmly, daily, ask God for wisdom. For His personalized answers and where to find any information we need.

Basically, we live our everyday life this way so why wander from that?

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."   --- Jeremiah 29:13

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

― Confucius

“Like all magnificent things, it's very simple.”
― Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

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Now, here was an uplifting, fun movie:  Savannah Sunrise. Tom and I enjoyed it much. No cautions even worth mentioning on this one.  ツ

Another movie? A Father's Legacy. Now, it took me 15 minutes to decide whether to continue, but I'm grateful I did. Christian themes, but there is violence and a small smattering of language.

Why share movie recommendations? Because too many Christians online quip, "They don't make good movies anymore!" Basically, that's a lie (sorry, but it is), so I'm out to spread truth, instead.

                          "My sheep hear my voice."   ---John 10:27

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

Moving To Florida? What?!

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.” ― Julian of Norwich

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This morning my hand reached to pull the curtain open at our picture window, but paused mid-air. "No. Not yet," I sighed. "My eyes can't bear to view that treacherous, white, freezer world." 

So I plopped back down on the red couch and watched, instead, a sunny summer afternoon on Route 66 via Youtube.

(If you don't like what's outside your window, find another window, I say.)

Folks, Tom and I are moving to Florida. Next year. After Tom retires. No, really! Our winter grace is seeping away and God's giving us new dreams, warmer ones.

Forty-four icy, perilous, snowy winters together and we've had enough. Paid our dues, done our time. Well, we've got 1 1/2 winters left so Honey, already I'm praying Grace will keep me non-complainy and sweet till we drive down Florida way in 2023.

Now, for my worry-leaning readers, yes, we know Florida has hurricanes. So we're thinking north Florida. Far from the ocean, not near the Gulf. Inland. Not all that far from the center of Georgia's dotted line. 

But you know what worries me more than hurricanes? Ol' Tom and Debra ignoring godly conviction.  Remaining here bored, chicken, after God stated, "Go." And letting fear lead rather than an adventurous spirit.

We loved our tiny California mountain town.

Nevada was quite the adventure.

New York has remained downright enchanted for nearly 30 years.

But always there's come a day to leave. Seasons change, bodies age, so a time arrives to travel to that exact spot where God will pull over, pick you up, then whisk you away home. On just the right day.

And it's in that direction we're headed.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   John 8:12  (There comes a time to ask ourselves, "Are verses like these a part of my daily life or just words written upon wispy Bible pages?".)

There is a divine joy in obedience.

And from someone in her 60's: Do all that you can while you still can.

(And yes, Naomi is planning to move when we do, perhaps sooner, most likely to Florida, but if not, then a bit more north where she lived for a couple years earlier. 

Stay tuned. We're only in the earliest of planning stages right now and certainly do not have all the answers.)  シ

Another big reason for moving to Florida? The freedom there and a governor who sounds like a kindred spirit every time we hear him speak.

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Last night Tom and I watched the sweetest movie: Once I Was a Beehive. We both enjoyed it much. (No, really.)  ツ

We also, last month, rewatched the film, Wonder. We'd forgotten how special it was.

And Coda was great (via a free subscription to Apple Plus), but the first 15 minutes were a bit dicey with occasional crude language. After that, well, let's just say we pretty much cried sentimental tears through the entire last half. 

And just to leave you with a smile--

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

Snowed In, But Still Traveling

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."   ---James 1:17

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After midnight on Sunday, two feet of snow fluttered down upon us. Enter a travel ban, no mail delivery on Monday and not until 2 days later did a real snowplow rumble past.

But you know? When I wasn't at our windows watching drivers spin their tires and (frustratingly) grabbing snow shovels from their backseats, I was reading stories of people who left homes and began adventures. 

Also, I ventured outdoors via Youtube videos-- to deserts, Route 66, the Lincoln Highway. I even time-traveled to the 1800's(!)

How grateful I feel for all God's gifts, ones He places inside folks, not to hoard, but rather (for example) to freely fling to the 'stuck ones' like us who are winter-housebound. God's kindness blows me away.

Let's all share ourselves today. 

Personally? Encouraging folks is my favorite activity/calling. "What else, what better thing is there for me to do?" I ask myself.

What else, indeed? 

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."   --- Luke 6:38

Feeling free or stuck; it's our choice.

A grateful heart will help us through almost everything.

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Here you go: some pleasant places I traveled this week--

Videos:

Through My Lens (the ones where he traveled Route 66, Highway 50 and to Yosemite for the Fire Fall with his dad are my favorites)

100 Years On The Lincoln Highway

The Daily Woo

The Secret Life of the Cruise

Cash Jordan

Life In The 1800's

Books:

Harriet Beamer Takes The Bus

Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise   (you can read it here)

Chewing The Cudd  (can be read here)

The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank (you can read it here)

Be of good cheer? Really? Even in 2022? Most certainly YES!!

Oh! And have you found your Valentines to send this year?

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15