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Embrace community.
Discover a fresh perspective.
Grow your faith in Christ.
Get unstuck.
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Embrace community.
Discover a fresh perspective.
Grow your faith in Christ.
Get unstuck.
Share your story.
It's Memorial Weekend, Friends!
Whether you've got an umbrella in hand or find yourself grabbing the sunscreen, I hope this edition of PORCH finds you getting rejuvenated as we roll quickly into the calendar-packed madness we call June!
The ice cream shops 'round these parts are re-opening ... and this one serves a delectable Chocolate Blizzard with huge chunks of Reese's peanut butter cups submerged in chilled chocolate creaminess. Oh, be still my heart.
I digress.
Around here, the month ahead is usually the time for a family reunion ... this year even more so as my sister and her husband move here to the Cape, to the same little town we've all called 'home' since childhood. We haven't lived near each other in about half a century and to say that I'm excited is a bit of an understatement.
The perfection of God's timing. He knew we'd need to be together again.
🍦
I'm not only aware but am grateful that the online blogging circles I run around in consist primarily of Christ-followers whose values stem from their personal faith in Him, even as we embody a variety of theological bents, faith practices, political leanings, and such.
I honor that reality and value it highly. 'As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another' {Proverbs 27:17}. The body of Christ is wonderfully diverse and delightfully so, and it won't be 'til heaven that we realize the glory of the depth and breadth of the family of God as we worship Him together, 'every nation and tribe and people and tongue' {Revelation 7:9}.
Our faith and our values are beautifully intertwined and this grace-and-truth wisdom is what we bring to the communities we do life with. If we say we value inviting people into a relationship with Christ, we must be sure that the relationship we're modeling and the way we're interacting is always rooted in His lavish lovingkindness and compassionate mercy.
'I lament that we find excuse after excuse not to suffer with our suffering neighbor, that we keep our distance from those we disagree with. I lament that we decide who is unholy and then steer clear of them – something Jesus never did, never does. I lament that we don’t listen to those who are crying out in pain. I lament that we cannot simply name racism evil and sinful without qualifying it. And I lament the log in my own eye as well.'
'Here are four evils that pass too often for good in Christian leadership. There are nuances to each, which is why the best lens through which to read this post is not to start judging other leaders, but to look inside and wonder if you’ve been guilty of some of it too. I know in different seasons of my life, I’ve been more than capable of all of it.'
* Katy Nichole's stunning In Jesus Name captured my heart earlier this week mostly because this is how I've been praying for Mom as she transitions toward heaven. But then the horrific shooting at the school in Texas happened ...
Peace, Be Still ~
Linda
P.S.
Lest I be misunderstood, I have no ax to grind nor any lurking agenda. Today's post is not aimed toward any specific person, group, or church.
P.S. #2
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Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
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Nurture your own personal kindness - The Kindness Challenge: 30 Days to Improve Any Relationship
Shaunti Feldhahn - $4.99
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We could all use more kind words, both heard and spoken, from our hearts. And I don't know if there is anything better than ice cream to bring us together, and put smiles on everyone's face.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda!
Kind words, BOTH heard and spoken. I love that emphasis, Martha. Too often we're only on the lookout for what we ourselves are getting instead of looking to see how lavishly we can encourage another, especially 'the least of these.'
DeleteThanks for making that point.
Two sisters - as different as night and day - have found a way to have a relationship that supports and challenges each other, though our opinions are different much of the time! We also laugh uncontrollably and burst out in song at the worst possible moments. Looking forward to living in the same town and finding ice cream shops and restaurants to explore!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait til you're here, for so many reasons, Marilyn. And even though our opinions don't always match up, we're pretty much in step with the values that matter most. Hurry up and get here already! I think you owe me a lunch out!
DeleteThose Adirondack chairs out in front of that ice cream shop say it all -- Summer is on the way! Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Jeanie! Hope you get to celebrate with your people ... preferably with ice cream ...
DeleteYou mentioned the ice cream shops on the Cape opening up. We are heading to the Cape on June 4 for 3 glorious weeks. And after fried clams and clam chowder, our next stop will be Schoolhouse Ice Cream in Harwich! We will pretty much live on these three food groups for the time we are on the Cape, all the while breathing in the good salt air: it cures what ails ya, as both my mother and grandmother would say.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your family as you usher your mother to the arms of Jesus.
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Welcome back! I know how much you long to be here and I hope your time away will rest and energize and renew you and your gang.
DeleteAnd thanks for that blessing as we continue slowly letting Mom go Home.
Linda, the chocolate blizzard sounds fabulous! I know you are over the moon that your sister is moving back. Enjoy your weekend, dear one!
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Weekend to you, friend. I just know you've got something beautiful going on there ...
DeleteI think that song "In Jesus Name" is the hit Christian song of the year. Everyone is posting about it.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard it til this week. Love it.
DeleteAnd here there are the empty chairs
ReplyDeleteof little ones now dead.
I try to put on stoic airs,
but it will not leave my head.
How did it all come to this,
how did it begin,
what on earth could we have missed
in tolerance of sin?
We made nice with the Internet,
snarky posts, mean tweets,
and now it's clearly what we get,
a cycle that repeats,
a gyre of hate within a well,
spinning, spinning straight to hell.
It is awful. Absolutely awful. God have mercy on all who are suffering such horrific loss ... God have mercy on us all.
DeleteA dear friend (of 15+ years) and I recently discovered we were on opposite sides of an issue. But praise God, it does not change our love for one another one bit! That's because both of us stand on a strong, time-tested foundation of faith in Jesus. All other matters are peripheral since He's in control--not us.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Love this, Nancy. When all is said and done, nothing matters except Jesus. Nothing.
DeleteAmazing timing on the gift of your sister. My heart is rejoicing with you.
ReplyDeleteGod knew.
DeleteThe chocolate blizzard ice cream sounds wonderful! And I am so happy that your sister is going to be close by. I hope you enjoy lots of time together this summer. Praying for you both and for your mom.
ReplyDeleteLesley, thanks! So ... tell me ... do you have chocolate blizzards in England?
DeleteNot in Scotland or England as far as I know. I had to Google a picture - they look great!
DeleteSo ... anything like that there?
DeleteThe closest thing I can think of is a McFlurry from McDonald's. (I don't know if you have those.) It looks like similar ice cream and you can get different sauces and toppings mixed in, but it's only vanilla flavour ice cream you can get at McDonald's here.
DeleteHow wonderful that your sister is moving back! YAY! I love reading your post today. WOW! I can AMEN and I can also say OH ME! Praying for your mom and your family. Hang in there sweet lady. God has you right where He needs for you to be at this time of your life. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThis little town is where we came on vacation each year when growing up. To call this place home in this season brings us full circle. I know my parents would be thrilled. And that makes me so very thankful
DeleteI'm so happy that your sister will be moving close to you again. The sister I am closest to also lives close to me and it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes. There are no words to describe how having her nearby makes me feel.
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteGlad you're here.
DeleteHow precious is God's timing in the arrival of your sister. Even in the midst of painful, He gives us good gifts. And that song is just so beautiful and brings such peace every single time I hear it! Praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to play that song again right now!
DeleteI love your digress.... makes me hungry. LOL
ReplyDeleteChocolate is worth digressing for, yes?
DeleteIt seems summer rolls around quicker and quicker. Do you have that feeling?
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Absolutely. And I couldn't be happier to settle into her annual appearance.
DeleteLinda, I'm so glad your sister will be close by soon ... the timing is providential, for sure. My mouth is watering at the mention of that Blizzard ... everything is better when Reece's are involved. And thank you for sharing those links. Much to ponder ...
ReplyDeleteAmen to any and all things with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
DeleteAw, sweet friend! I am so happy to know that your sister will be near you! What comfort that will bring during the days ahead! I am continuing to pray for you and your dear Mom. May Jesus hold you closer than you have ever been to Him before. I love and appreciate you so much.
ReplyDelete'May Jesus hold you closer than you have ever been to Him before.'
DeleteYes, He is, Cheryl. There are plenty of tears, but more than that, His peace remains.