autumn praise

My 1000 gifts include...

21. an exciting World Series game 7, with the underdog Cardinals winning!

22. warm Apple Brown Betty, ala mode

23. a quiet evening at home

24. a great afternoon on Perdido Key at the Shrimp Basket with my mama, sisters and nieces

25. beautiful cool weather

26. money to pay my bills

27. connections on Facebook to friends from so many different periods of my life

28. saints like C. S. Lewis & Augustine to inspire and go before us

29. Juice Plus

30. the end of not feeling well

31. getting to sleep in late tomorrow!

32. the blessing of Operation Christmas Child 

Psalm 146:2, "I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

occupy wall street

I wonder how few of the Occupy Wall Street, and for that matter, the Occupy Pensacola protesters have jobs, have mortgages, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy that they are protesting?!?

Yes, the economy is in dire straits, and every one of us is stretching our money, but some of us have been doing this for YEARS! Revolting in the streets is not the way to expedite change! Dope-smoking and defecating in the streets will NOT influence politicians, nor will it effect positive change for our country. Wasn't that what the last election was supposed to do...HOPE for CHANGE?!?  It reminds me of Job 15:31. "Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; for emptiness will be his reward."

Well, they hoped and trusted, and they got their change. But they don't like the taste of it. Not that voting helps either. I have voted for years and typically have not failed to be disappointed in every politician that takes office. I remember the "Young Republicans" that swept Washington back in 1994. We conservatives were so hopeful that they would fulfill their campaign promises. Take Joe Scarborough as a prime example...yeah. Nuff said. Oh, excepting J. C. Watts; I haven't lost my respect for him. Not yet.

Our country needs to change. Our government has been bought. It is corrupted with greed and power and the love of money. So what's to be done? We must continue to live life, and NOT cop out. Work hard. Save and invest wisely. Tighten the proverbial belt. And most importantly, trust GOD.

No, I am not one of the 99% either. I work as hard as the next guy. Harder, really. But my trust and hope is the LORD, not in the politicians in D.C. Not in the money-men in Wall Street. Not in the world economic markets, oil barrel prices, nor in the almighty dollar. "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10.

We will not be forsaken. We will not be begging for bread. Psalm 37:25 reminds us, "I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."

There is no need for angst or anger. GOD is in control!

gifts and more gifts

this week I am thankful for

9. two tickets for an evening of worship with Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, and Louie Giglio on Saturday, enjoyed with my mother

10. the bruises on my hands from clapping and praising so exuberantly

10. a warm, pink bathrobe, given to me by my ex-SIL on a birthday long ago

11. mushrooms on my tender chicken tonight, grilled just perfectly

12. finally starting to regain my health, after three long weeks of sickness after sickness

13. an old and treasured warm flannel quilt to nap under when I got off from work today

14. a week off from work and sleeping in most of the mornings

15. six blingy new necklaces and four new shirts to dress up my winter wardrobe

16. banana nut bread that turned out just right

17. detective shows on tv that don't have sex and immorality to taint them

18. ice cold water

19. antibiotics to kick this UTI or whateveritisthatIhave

20. new LCD nightlights


My Shepherd "lets me rest in meadow grasses and leads me beside quiet streams. He restores my failing health. He helps me do what honors Him the most."

One Thousand Gifts

And so I join the ranks of the thankful beneficiaries of Ann VosKamp's quiet and inspirational musings. She is a contemplative farmer's wife with words of wisdom for everyday life.

I am thankful for...

1. bright eyes that peer from my loyal dog's face, as she waits for me to pick up her ball and toss it one more time

2. sushi and tempura at Ichiban

3. quotes from writers that inspire me

4. the anticipation of a Saturday off from work

5. highlighters. yes, highlighters!

6. a 90% on this week's astronomy midterm

7. aleve, for an aching back

8. delicious soft, white cheesecake, made by my baby sister


As the Psalmist says, "Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!"

remembering

This weekend was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the NYC World Trade Center towers. I remember that morning. I had gone to work at CIAS early that morning; I can't quite remember why now. But around ten minutes after the first tower was struck, Grace Dove called and told us to tune in. By a fluke, our unit at that time was wired for Cable, so we hooked up one of our little tv's and turned on the coverage, minutes before the second plane hit the South Tower. I remember watching the attack unfold in disbelief, along with my students and Tricia. And then the North Tower fell. Oh, my. I recollect the horror that filled me. The disbelief.

I was thinking about all the people being plunged into eternity. God rest their souls and bless the rescue workers that perished and will still continue to die from the ill effects of their efforts. This day changed the course of American history. I hope that all my students, at the time, will not forget that day. I felt privileged to have been able to witness it WHILE it happened. It is burned into my mind and heart and memory forever!

We will never forget 9/11!

togetherness

I am moved recently to think about family. My family in particular. People who have been taken away from it. People added to it. I have often thought of my parents, both only children, bringing up the five of us in a world that was largely unfriendly towards us in general. A few people touched our lives indelibly. Those few are precious to us still. And the old-fashioned, old-world togetherness that we have fiercely protected and promised one another never to break.

Back when I was studying sociology in college, I came across information on predominantly Oriental  communal cultures that are interdependent and inter-related in such a way that almost seems like threads in woven tapestry, together strong and beautiful. And then the typical American culture that breeds on individualism and independence, seeking fulfillment without regards to family ties. As we three younger girls work hard to support our mom in her waning years, keeping the "home fire burning," so to speak, I am reminded of so many verses in regards to Mom...Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." Heb 12:12 "Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble" Prov. 16:31. "A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness," Lev. 19:32, "'You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD."And Jesus' stern warning in Mark 7, "For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH';   but you say, 'If a man says to his/her father or his/her mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God)' you  no longer permit him to do anything for his/her father or his/her mother;  thus  invalidating the word of God by your tradition  which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that."

I should write a book one day, entitled Memoir of a Dutiful Daughter. :-) But then again, being an earthly daughter does not define me...being a child of God does! And I need to be here for my sisters and brother, whether in prayer or financial help or emotional support. And for my nieces, those precious beings that will carry the spiritual torch.

I look at our precious nieces, and think, "They are the future of this family, the future Jones girls, future missionaries and teachers and preachers." I pray that they would come to know Jesus early in life. And be filled with the Holy Spirit to be powerful women of God, equipped for their Master's use. To be able to overcome life's hurts and wounds with grace. And always stay sweet and gentle. That their temperaments would be soft-hearted and kind. And that they would not be as lonely as we were.

Our family has always been "a city set on a hill that cannot be hid." Whether we liked it or not. There was not anywhere we could go, or anything we could do that did not get scrutinized by outsiders as we were growing up. We looked different, acted different, talked different, and were different. Even down to the jobs that we have, or that God has given to and anointed us for. And still yet, we continue on as different as ever.

Mom's Aunt Rene hosted us as little children, as we trekked up Signal Mountain every Sunday to visit her. Cinnamon Trident gum sticks, peach turnovers, and Nickelodeon are some of the memory relics from those days. She was saved late in life, so I don't remember her as a Christian as much as she was a benevolent old lady. Then came the day that Dad's company went under, and our house sold. Life was changing rapidly for our family nuclei.  Dad's Mom asked us to move to Pensacola and offered to let us live with her until we got on our feet. That would facilitate our permanent move to Florida. Aunt Rene did not understand; with her brother pushing her over the edge of snipping family ties, angry and confused. And for several years, we had no contact with her at all.

We lived with Grandma for nine months. It was not an easy time. Mamar was used to living on her own for many years as a "Merry Widow." Dad tried and tried and tried to find a job, but nothing opened for him. So some local Bible college student  jack-leg carpenters invited him to join them in trying to make a living for their families. We were living on between $15-17 thousand a year. When I think of that amount today, I laugh inside my head. What seven-member family can live on a little over $15 G's a year?!? But Mom and Dad made it work. We were poor, so very poor. Fifty dollar bills, pressed into my Dad's hand on a random Sunday morning helped to build our faith. Our land lady's boys leaving sacks of much-needed groceries on our porch. I remember being ten years old, spending my Saturdays with Dad and my sisters, mowing lawns off of Lillian Hwy. and Hwy 98 for $5 a week, which we saved fastidiously to pay for sturdy shoes or spend on stickers and pencils and wall posters from local bookstores. Recently, I was cleaning out a cabinet in my bathroom, and found an little old ceramic bear and basket full of plastic flowers, I think given to Tricia or me by our brother. And a mug from another sister. Cute reminders of those meager days.

We found an oasis in the Lillian homegroup, hosted in Richard and Nita Parker's house. It was a croup of senior citizens that made us feel at home. There was one other family with a girl our age that we got to know,  and several teen boys that we really didn't get to know too much. Again, we were growing up in a sea of people different from us.

And days became better. We were able, after two long years, to move from Lillian, Alabama, back over the bridge to Pensacola. Aunt Rene's brother had died, managing to steal and pilfer and cheat her out of some of her life savings. But she needed someone to take care of her. And he anger had passed, and she wanted us again. So Mom found the biggest house that she could find for us, to prevent Aunt Rene from being bothered by us kids, and to let us have our own space. How we loved that house on Man O' War Circle. We younger kids healed from a lot there. And experienced a lot there. I turned 13 in that house, with the best birthday party a girl could ask for.

This is just the beginning...

missionary tribute: Bob Bishop

Bob Bishop passed into eternity on Saturday. He was 74 years old, and had recently had health issues including Parkinson's. Bro. Bob was the president of Globe Missionary Evangelism, later renamed Globe International, a missions board that has sent out hundreds of missionaries into foreign fields. I was only 9 years old when I met Bro. Bob.

When we moved to Pensacola in 1985, our large family was welcomed into the Lillian, AL homegroup, comprised of senior citizens, living out their retirement dreams in Spanish Cove "over the bridge." They all sat together, right in front of the balcony edge, left side. So for several years we sat there too. And so did Bob and Beth Bishop.

Missions conferences would roll around each year in April. Former Liberty Bible College graduates, laboring on foreign fields all over the world, would come in to raise support and spread the vision for their ministries. I remember sitting through hours upon hours of morning and evening conference sessions, enthralled with the stories and pictures. Bro. Bob was always involved in the missions conferences somehow. I know that Globe Missionary Evangelism was not formed until some time later, but he always had his hand in the missions pot at Liberty, so to speak. Bro. Bob was a steady man, a faithful man. A man who loved God and wanted to see the world evangelized with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One year I well remember an certain incident involving Bro. Bob. Dirk Wood had been on the field a year or two at that point, and he was crazy for God and as spicy a personality as anyone I remember from my childhood. Towards one of the last fund-raising sessions, he called Bro. Bob up to the stage and had him take his shoes and socks off, amid much laughter and cheering. Then he had him climb onto one of those old rust-colored upholstered chairs that always sat up front, and he shouted out, "LOOK AT THOSE BEAUTIFUL FEET, YA'LL!"

Of course, this is a reference to Isaiah 52:7 and  Romans 10:15, which both basically say, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

We cannot imagine all the people that will be in heaven one day because of the fulfillment of God's destiny and will for this man and his family's life work. Bro. Bob's memory will be blessed (Prov. 10:7).  We were made for eternity!