All Excuses Will Fade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0jZN0oAUKo&t=1438s

All excuses will fade, just like smoke in the wind. 

Did we go our own way or show love in the end? 

Is there oil in our lamp that is ready to burn? 

For the Bridegroom, at last, are we eager and yearn?

Imagine a day or time when people are speechless and unable to come up with an excuse! I put things off all the time.  Sad.

Filter Through the News (wearable-peritoneal-dialysis-device)

 Filter through the news

For what benefits man

Patients can now choose

A more mobile plan!

Dreaming the impossible

Based on what so many need

They've launched, like a miracle-

Wearable dialysis-

That puts patients on their feet.

Thinking of Elder Holland. How it must have pained him to not attend general conference and speak to us with his typical strong convictions that are heartfelt with emotion, compassion, and love. Imagine a portable dialysis! He would have been able to attend. Hopefully this new technology becomes a thing. How incredible is that?

www.thechurchnews.com › leaders › 2023/4/6Official Church statement: Elder Holland health - Church News



Apr 6, 2023 · Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is taking two months off to focus on his health, according to an official statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of

https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2023/06/19/awak-technologies-singapore-general-hospital-launch-pre-pivotal-clinical-trial-wearable-peritoneal-dialysis-device/

Rubbing Shoulders

Rub shoulders, as a leader,

Genuinely, 

Do not flatter.

The world has grown more eager.

To address the needs that matter!

idiom
dictionary.cambridge.org › rub-shoulders-withRUB SHOULDERS (WITH) - Cambridge English Dictionary

to meet or spend time with someone socially, esp. someone important or famous: He loved his job because he got to rub shoulders with high-powered

Tornado

When homes are stricken 

With spiraling results.

Shocked, heart sicken

Emotions tumult!

Babylon

Be like Daniel 

In Babylon

Who did not cave to fear

Know to whom you can rely on

And hold to your covenants dear

Radiant Countenance

A countenance

That's glowing and bright

Radiates love

From Christ's own pure light

Radiant

Vividly glowing and shiny.

Expressive of love confidence, or happiness

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radiant#:~:text=%3A%20vividly%20bright%20and%20shining%20%3A%20glowing,emitted%20or%20transmitted%20by%20radiation

The Measure of the Stature of Christ

Individually and communally

We can feel pure joy, peace, and light;

Through the Way that is come of the measure 

Of the perfect stature of Christ.

Let the high hope He has for you

Lift and encourage you through.

Despite disappointments and setbacks 

His grace will transform you with Light, anew!

Ephesians 4:13

King James Bible
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

unto a perfect man, 

unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Regroup

Stopped dead, in my tracks,

As one thrown for a loop.

Without God,  how I lack!

It is time to regroup!

idioms

idioms.thefreedictionary.com › stopped+dead+in+myStopped dead in my tracks - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

stop (dead) in (one's) tracks 1. To stop at the exact spot where one is and hold motionless

idioms.thefreedictionary.com › throw+for+a+loopThrow for a loop - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

knock (one) for a loop. To shock, surprise, astonish, or bewilder one, especially in a distressing or upsetting manner.

When do people reorganize?

• People tend to regroup after some kind of defeat, loss, or difficulty. Armies need to regroup after losing on the battlefield, and football teams will regroup at halftime after a difficult first half. You can also use words like reorganize or restructure, or even mobilize to substitute for the verb regroup.

Regroup - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/regroup

Recalculate

You've got this

Recalculate 

Trust in God

And act in faith

Obedience

Even if it doesn't 

Make sense, at this time

Be obedient

A blessing, you will find.

Seeing the Blessing

Knowing it's not safe

But, needing some fresh air

I opened the window

And trusted in God's care

Summer- isn't air-conditioning a blessing so we can keep our windows locked at night?

Push Into New Habits

Push through

And follow your dreams

Trust you

Can know what hope brings

We Know

We know what to look for

When life is unclear

We seek out our Savior

For light to appear

World Powers

The mind can explode

Midst the conflict of power

When will the Lord come?

How still will be that hour!

Mediators broker defense

countries / borders/ territories 

Ethics/ interests

Powers money regimes

Honor shame

Deals 

Truth innocent

Hamas 

Isis

Mercenaries 

Condemnation

Diplomacy

Annihilation 

Sanction/ democratic values

Precarious situation 

World stage influence

Outnumbered

Independence

Silence, oppression

Protection

At odds with bully

Shelf life of peace

Totalitarian dictatorship

Soul for humanity 

Moral level

Civilians expendable

Mass casualties 

Invasion

Petty party politics

Policy research

Propaganda 

Context

Eye witness accounts

Obsessed with petty topics

Peace prosperity 

Russia China Iran North Korea 

Iraq Afghanistan Syria Ukraine Israel South Korea Taiwan Rwanda Burundi Kenya Uganda Tanzaniz Democratic Republic of the Congo

Strategies choices

Alliances

Supporters and opponents 

Diversion

Peace talks concessions 

Irreversible mistake

Escalation retaliation 

Match of powers

Burden

Opposition forces

Clashes

Uprising

Strained relationships

Agree to disagree 

Trimming defense budgets

Merciless invasion

.... is watching

Defining 

Siphon effect

Broad democratic strength

Life or death

Cast Your Sins From You

Cast your sins into the fire

For that is where they belong

Still, know Satan will not tire

Flea, to where you'll be strong

Cast Your Sins away

Like you would disease

Live God's laws always

In your heart, know peace

...cast them from you, that ye may not be hewn down and cast into the fire.

Matt 5:34

Shelter in the Storm

Christ's power and presence

Will shelter you through.

Each hour as shelter,

His peace, He gives to you

Language

Learning another language

Will enrich your life!

Work more to know your neighbor-

How you are alike

Learning another language

Translates each old thought

Phrases add new meaning

To what we have been taught

Isn't it exciting to think of the power of scriptures translated into so many languages and how a phrase in a particular language perfectly puts that scripture into a new light?

Surely

Surely, we couldn't talk enough 

Of Jesus' last day

He taught us to be meek and love

Selflessly, as The Way

Expect Miracles

You can expect miracles

In unexpected ways,

As you invite the Spirit

To be with you always!

Detox

My sins, 

Oh so many

Toxic and grave...

Jesus can take any 

Away

To cleanse me and save

Spiritually Connect with Earth- A Summer Science Challenge

Summer Science Challenge

Creations, here on Earth,

Connect with us, and give birth

To lessons from above,

Of the gospel's light and love

God feeds the animals

He speaks to the wind

We are His creation

His blessings, He does send

From the majestic eagle

To the humblest dove

The birds of the air teach us

To seek truths from above

( Then, a tender moment just as I wrote this.  I looked out my window which doesn't have a view of the sky but of a brick wall and my neighbor's stucco.  I saw one lone dove walking on my wall!  I hope this challenge means something to someone.  It means something to me!)

Have you ever wondered what science would be like if you were attending a Christian School? You can discover them for yourself!

Spiritually connect with Earth-

A Summer Science Challenge 

How many lessons from God can you unearth from nature around you? At the minimum: order and individuality...

Our Privilege and Honor to Care for the Earth:

Psalm 8:5–8
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. (NIV)

We can learn from nature:

Job 12:7–10
Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the LORD.
For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.

We can find God in nature:

Psalm 8:1–4
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 

The Light, The Life, The Bread, The Living Water

• sun
• moon
• planets
• day and night 
• light and dark
• seasons
• stars
• sands of the sea
• dust
• Magnets
• Mountains 
• caves
• firm foundation
• clouds
• Diamonds
• silver
• gold
• Sunflowers
• thorns
• mustard seed
• olive tree
• hair
• dragon
• Honey bees 
• Butterfly 
• Ants 
• Forget-Me-Nots
• Water
• fish
• Light
• Rainbows
• Yeast
• Apples
• Corn 
• Snake
• Dog
• Cat
• lamb
• rooster
• donkey
• eagle
• dove
• scorpion
• Parts of the human body
• eyes to see
• ears to hear
• heart to feel
• feet to follow
• head to turn
• hands to work
• flesh
• marrow
• bone
• womb

Hint: scriptures and posters on Pinterest

https://pin.it/4iL3v0B

Principle Approach

Google search:  best scriptures about nature

Add Light and Life to your learning

13 Important Animals In The Bible (Scriptures, Symbolism, Stories)

#summersciencechallenge 

https://www.learnreligions.com/animals-in-the-bible-700169   Animals listed A-Z with scripture reference.

Nature:

Ephes 4:18

for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.

Ephes 4:22

Regarding your former way of life, you were taught to strip off your old nature, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires,

Ephes 4:24

and to clothe yourselves with the new nature, which was created according to God's image in righteousness and true holiness.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Nature

Footing

Find your footing

Upon the Rock.

There, the path is sure,

A joy, to walk!

Preparation

Long or short, our days are numbered.

Death is eventual for all.

For a time, while bodies slumber,

Our spirits account to God.

Premature takes on new meaning,

As it's those who don't prepare.

Unlike those who live life dreaming

Of their eventual return, with care.

Live for the day

We are called home.

What we do and say

Is seen and known.

Presentable

We can reason 

Over each appetite

Sin's not pleasing 

Don't accept the invite

In the end we will present our bodies unto God and give account for how we cared for and used our body. 

Lens of Love

See the laws of God

Through the light and lens of love.

His covenant calls for all

As our Father from above

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/09/lens-of-love-takes-critical-look-at-bible-interpretations/#:~:text=A%20lens%20of%20love%2C%20then,vulnerable%20in%20any%20given%20story.