Thursday Thankfulness and Dolly Parton

 I woke up on Tuesday morning and put out the flag as the sun was rising as per my normal routine. I always like to look at the skies and see what interesting cloud formations appear at that time. Every morning is different...some are ordinary and not too interesting, but so often there is something to take my breath away.  This was one of those mornings. I saw this cloud in the sky that to me looked like a child praying over our country and our American Flag.  It was one of those goose-bumply moments, and I shared it on Facebook.

A little later in the morning I started seeing notices on Facebook that Dolly Parton had died that morning. I don't know about you, but even my sister commented to me when she saw this cloud, "Maybe it was Dolly!". Yes, I had actually thought the same thing! I didn't want to say it out loud because people would think I was a little crazy, but since my sister went ahead and said it on Facebook...I knew that I could say it too. Let people think what they want. They've certainly been coming out of the woodwork to say all kinds of things...some beautiful and positive and some, well, downright ugly, even from some "Christians". That really disturbs me that people who call themselves Christians are so quick to judge and act like they are God and they express their opinions as if they have an inside track to God's heart. What I would like to say is this: No one knows the heart of any person EXCEPT for God. What has transpired between the heart of any man or woman and Jesus Christ is strictly between them. 

I love to think about that thief on the cross...the story is found in Luke chapter 23:38-43

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 

42 Then he said o Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Even though that thief had lived a life of enslavement to sin, when he was dying, he recognized Who Jesus was, and called him "LORD", and asked Him to remember him when he came into His kingdom...and Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

There was no time to do any great works or make up for all of his misdeeds. He was literally dying right then. But Jesus saw his faith and knew his heart that he was sincere, and He granted him pardon right then and there.  

That's what I love about Jesus. He looks at the heart of man, not on the outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

When it comes to Dolly Parton, I see a woman whom God blessed abundantly, and she knew that and expressed it often. She was also a person who did not hoard her wealth, but shared it freely with so many less fortunate ones. She used her talents and gifts  and blessings to bless others.  Was she perfect? No. But then, neither am I, or you, or anyone else out there. Did I agree with everything she said and/or did? Probably not on some issues. But what I see is a woman with a big heart who loved God and loved people and wanted to make things better for those who were less fortunate.  I believe she expressed her faith in God through her works.  

I love this song that Dolly sang at the Christian Music Association Dove Awards back in 1990 .  And as I watched her singing this once again, I believe I could hear Dolly singing it from heaven as she met Jesus face to face:  "He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are opened wide! He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive! Sweet Jesus, He's Alive!!!!"

Dolly Parton singing "He's Alive"

Right after I saw that unusual cloud, I saw these two Sand Hill Cranes fly over together...and again, at the time I didn't know the significance of what was happening because I hadn't heard the news, but afterwards I thought, well maybe that was the angel escorting Dolly into heaven...

Who knows? God knows. And that's good enough for me.

RIP Dolly Parton

I know this is a little different from my usual kind of Thursday Thankfulness post, but it was on my mind and I just wanted to share these thoughts. You may feel differently about this than I do, but that's okay. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts...but these are mine and I am thankfuly that through Jesus Christ, we all have this hope of eternal life.  It's best to make that decision now and not wait until we are on our deathbed, because life is so much better when we know Jesus.  

Amen, and have a blessed day.

Some Thursday Memories and Thoughts

I just saw this on Facebook this morning, and it really spoke to me, so I wanted to share it with you:

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Shared with Public

The Homespun Wife 

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Each morning we present an empty vessel to the Lord. Some scurry out with hardly a thought, as they are in a hurry but running on empty. Others gain only enough to take themselves through the day.

Yet I long to be among those who are filled to overflowing. With the abundance God has provided, they have plenty to share. They pour out kindness, love, grace, gratitude, patience, mercy, comfort, and compassion. Long into the evening, they continue their offering, using up all the blessings God called on them to pass along to others.

These dedicated servants have no fear of tomorrow. They rest in the assurance that God’s storehouse is always full and he will meet them in the morning with everything they will need for a brand new day.

So Here I am Lord….

To worship you

To praise you

To serve you anew

Love To All,

Sherry

*Image/Pinterest

And then next I saw this on Facebook...actually a dear "old friend" sent it to me saying, "Well, that brings back memories."

Dolly Parton singing "He's Alive"

Yes, it certainly did bring back memories. This friend who sent it to me is someone I haven't seen in many years, but way back in the early 1980's she and I used to spend almost every Thursday morning together, having tea and letting our two youngest children play together (my Scotty and her Heather, who were about 2 and 3 years old at the time) while she played the piano and I sang songs...sometimes we did duets...and a few of the songs we would sing at church on Sunday. This was one of the songs we did. I don't think I sounded quite like Dolly Parton (and certainly didn't look that good!), but we sang for the glory of the Lord. My friend Cindy could play most any kind of music on the piano, and it was so wonderful to spend that time together praising the Lord in song. Now my friend lives way out in Oregon and we are both much older and not quite as energetic as we were then. Although she and her husband stay very busy running a ranch and raising cattle, and her daughter Heather lives nearby on her own ranch with her husband and five children (actually her children are almost grown up now too). 

My friend and I also share another kind of "memory", not so pleasant, as we both have had one of our precious children die.  Her son Jeremy died in a tragic car accident when he was just 18 years old.  And my son Matthew, (who was about the same age as her Jeremy and they were good friends and fishing buddies as children) has also passed on to heaven at the age of 41.  We both believe our sons are enjoying all the joys of heaven together today.  Maybe even going fishing like they used to when they were kids. 

I don't know if my friend could still play this song on the piano, but I have a feeling she could...and we "talk" via Facebook about how wonderful it would be to get together again someday and sing and drink tea and remember those happy days. I'm not sure if I could still sing this song, but in my heart and mind I could. And we could rejoice together in knowing that because Jesus is alive, our sons are also alive in heaven.

He's Alive

Song by Don Francisco 

The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down

I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound

Half in hopeless sorrow and half in fear, the day

Would find the soldiers breaking through to drag us all away

Then just before the sunrise, I heard something at the wall

The gate began to rattle, and a voice began to call

I hurried to the window and looked down to the street

Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet

But there was no one there but Mary, so I went down to let her in

John stood there beside me as she told us where she'd been

She said, "They moved him in the night and none of us knows where

Oh, the stones been rolled away, and now his body isn't there"

So we both ran toward the garden, then John ran on ahead

We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said

But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell

And how or where they'd taken him, it was more than I could tell

Perhaps something strange had happened there, just what I did not know

John believed a miracle, but I just turned to go

Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high

'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him and then saw Him die

Back inside the house again, the guilt and anguish came

Everything I'd promised Him just added to my shame

When at last it came to choices, I denied I knew His name

And even if He was alive, it could never be the same

Then suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume

Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room

Then Jesus stood before me with His arms held open wide

And I fell down on my knees and clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes

Love was shining out from Him like sunlight from the sky

Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release

And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace

'Cause He is (alive and alive, He's alive, alive, and alive, He's alive)

(Alive and alive, He's alive, He's alive)

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive, and I'm forgiven

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive, and I'm forgiven

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive (He's alive), He's alive (He's alive), He's alive (He's alive), and I'm forgiven

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive, and I'm forgiven

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive

He's alive (He's alive), He's alive (He's alive), He's alive (He's alive), and I'm forgiven

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive, and I'm forgiven (He's alive)

Heavens gates are open wide

He's alive!

And then I saw this on Facebook this morning also, and again, it spoke to me...

Oh, I love this...Yes, our journies may be different, but we have met here on this "path", and may we take the time to encourage each other along the way.  I know many of you have encouraged me with your stories of comfort, hope, and thanksgiving, and I pray that perhaps I have been able to encourage you as well as I share memories or thoughts that God gives me along the way.

Just a quick update...No, Blackie Sue has still not had her kittens, and I am beginning to wonder if she's having a "false pregnancy", which is a real thing. Time will tell...

And as you can see, "Trumpet" is getting bigger every day:

And life goes on...we are blessed and thankful...especially on these post Easter days...it's wonderful to know and believe that Christ is Risen! And because He's  Alive, we too shall live!! Amen.