Fear Not

Staying in today, fear. That is what I read. Just fear.

Out and about today – fear. That is what I see. Just fear.

With all that has happened in the past week, the fear has only gotten thicker.

I live in a relatively smallish town. It isn’t crime-less, but it is more quiet than some heavily urban areas.

News, radio, social media – all screaming fear.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not afraid.

I know what my eyes see. I know what my brain tells me.

I hear it all around – Be afraid, be very afraid.

But I also know what my heart tells me after years of training it with the word. What does my heart tell me?

It tells men that no matter what I may see, God is still God. He is still sovereign. He is still in control.

I must believe that He is allowing some things so that we will notice.

Notice how well we have it. Notice that many still need our help, our understanding, and our compassion.

Notice how much we take for granted; as in our families, jobs, and here in America, our freedoms.

Notice that we cannot really do it without Him.

This life has some hard knocks, and we really need to depend on Him to be at peace regardless.

In Proverbs 3:6-8 (ESV) It says “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

My bones can use some refreshing. How about yours?

Isaiah 35:3-5 (ESV) Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

I could do without the anxiety. You too?

Do you see those words? He will come and save you. I truly believe those words. In my heart.


John 14:26-27 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

All this I say as an encouragement to you.

All this being said, I confess, I need to learn more.

More about the fear that lives in the hearts of my friends who are people of color.

It’s not something we talk about. Until now.

All this mess; is it bringing up things that we need to be seeing? I think so.

I still say, we need to seek His face, no mater our skin tone, and ask Him to help us to love each other, and teach us how to “Fear not”.

We can “Be angry and sin not.” Ephesians 4:26a

Be careful. Be safe. Be at peace.

Until next time …

Friday Favorites; Some Things That Make Me Smile

This guy. 40 plus years. He still makes me smile.

The smiles were just for the camera. You never know what you’re going to get!

How can I not smile? So much love in these photos!

Yes. He really is smiling. So much like his uncle.

The best gang to get the job done! Smile and say cheese y’all.

Good for a big smile every year.

Always ready to play. These guys aren’t so tough.

Makes me smile every day – he sneezes when he wants to go out. Laugh out loud funny!

Magdala, Israel

Old Joppa, Israel

Gai Beach – Tiberius, Israel

A Sweet Surprise.
Quickly moved into my Top Ten.

Enjoying the journey to the end.

I’m so happy you joined me on my show of smile makers.

I hope they made you smile as well.

Until next time …

Somebody Else’s Words

I’m thinking lately, how with the shut down of every thing outside of my home, just how much time I’ve had to write, and learn some new techniques for photography, or to use some serious tools for learning how to make good films.

I’m also thinking lately, just how much of those things I have not been doing.

Add to that, the fact that I try to steer myself away from the negative stuff floating around social media, but the stuff still gets in.

Those thoughts, they are somebody else’s.

And they cause my own thoughts to be quite well covered up.

To the point where stringing two thoughtful sentences together is difficult.

Who is to say what is right?

“I’ve got somebody else’s thoughts in my head I want some of my own
I want some of my own I want some of my own”

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Ron Aniello / Jason Wade
Somebody Else’s Song lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Lifehouse No Name Face

Here are a few of my thoughts.

I’ll put them in a list, that way they don’t have to be well worded, but I need to get them out before they are lost; again.

  • We all did what was required of us
  • We stayed home – we stayed in
  • It’s time to leave the nest again
  • The suicide rate is well up from where it was just two months ago
  • Mental health is important – for some – it does mean life or death
  • The stores are full of terrified people – how long can we live in fear?
  • Some are taking charge where it is not their place to do so
  • Some were given the place, and shouldn’t have been
  • Campgrounds and parks are open, but pools and lakes are not, da?
  • Fresh air and sunshine would go a long way to our physical and mental health, right?
  • Zoom, Facebook Live and other meeting places were fun. At first.
  • Eating and cooking at home has been an adventure – Coronavirus 15 (pounds) anyone?
  • BONUS: Reading an entire series of books has been great. (somebody else’s words)
  • BONUS: Reading books I would not have even considered before has enlarged my understanding (somebody else’s words)
  • Even with all of the “practice” reading, I still don’t read any faster. Boo.
  • Binge watching is a really cool activity (somebody else’s words)
  • Sore backside from all that binge-ing
  • Running low on binge-able material
  • The dog has been on more walks in our country fields
  • I really need to go back to church, and exercise class, and lunch with the girls
  • Hugs. I need hugs. I’m not generally a rule breaker, but …

This has turned into quite a mix and match of good and not so good.

I’ll leave you with this;

  • If you don’t feel well, by all means, stay home
  • If you need to go out, please do
  • If you feel the need to wear a mask, do so
  • If you don’t feel a need to mask up , be respectful and keep your distance
  • You should not be touching your face any way!
  • Don’t be judgy of those who feel differently than you do
  • DO wash your hands.
  • Read, sing, dance, write, chat, worship, exercise, turn off the news; anything you need to do to keep your spirits up.

My little list rant has helped to get this out of my head.

Perhaps it helped your thinking to move too, one way or the other.

Maybe now I’ll have room for some “Words of My Own”.

Until next time …