words | Grandma's Ramblings

Five years ago, I wrote this blog. At that time I said:

“Last year when we downsized from a nine-room home to a five-room condo, I knew some books would have to go. But how to decide what to keep, what to give away. We donated over ten boxes of books to a local Christian school. It was painful to part with them. Now I am down to just three bookcases.”

Well – now I am back to five tall bookcases and have books sitting in stacks in my office and on the end table by my chair. Every month I said “no more.” Every month I buy more. My family needs to be an intervention.

I Cannot Live Without Books

I have given up on Alexis. After sending emails where Alexis has interpreted my words completely different from what I said (including putting in swear words) I only type out my texts.

Smart Phones and Southern Twang

As we race into the 2024 presidential election, it seems strategy is not to share your own ideals for our nation, but rather to heap insults and negative remarks about your opponents. I dread the coming months as politicians and the media continue this onslaught of slander and name calling.

I am reminded of the writer of the book of James who said:

“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

It is amazing how much the book of Proverbs speaks to the issue of our words.

“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Proverbs 10:19

“It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” Proverbs 11:12-13

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a food belches out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2

“A truly wise person uses few words…..Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” Proverbs 17:27-28

“The tongue can bring death or life, those who love to talk will suffer the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21

Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24

While I cannot control what the politicians or the talking heads on the news shows say or do, I can make sure I do not contribute to this madness. One good way is to simply turn off the news and refuse to get involved in any political arguments.

My prayer is:

While no man can tame the tongue, the Lord has given us His spirit. So we can say “I can do all things (including taming my tongue) through Christ who gives me strength.”

With all the words out there today in social media, thought this was a good reminder of how we need to be careful when we speak.

Grandma’s Ramblings

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me!

Growing up, I heard that phrase several times when I was upset about something unkind that someone had said to me. Sadly that is not true. Words have such power – power to build up, power to tear down.

Thoughts from the Bible

Recently in my Bible study I was impressed with how many times God’s Word speaks to us about the power of words and warns us of being careful how we speak.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25;11

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Proverbs…

View original post 328 more words

In a recent conversation with my son, I said I was an old woman now.

He responded: “You are not old, just seasoned.”

When I asked him what seasoning am I he did not reply.

So, I’m thinking:

Am I spicy?
Am I sweet?
Am I sour?
Am I hot?
Am I bitter?

Often when my husband, a retired pastor, hears a good quote or reads an interesting passage from the Bible or another book, he will say “There’s a sermon in there” or “That will preach.”

Hearing my son’s comment, I am thinking, “There’s a good blog in there.”

I’m letting those thoughts run around in my head.

What description would you use to describe yourself? What spice are you?

Beware – I will be back with a blog on this. 🙂

My husband has always liked short, but meaningful quotes that he reads or hears. He has a notebook where he writes them down. He also has just come up with many on his own over the years of teaching/preaching.

I am getting a new computer (my current one is almost eleven years old and just cannot keep up with all the new updates in the internet world). It’s like driving a model T car on the interstate. Does not work.

Going through all the documents and pictures I have accumulated in those eleven years is crazy. What needs to go to the trash bin and what needs to be saved to a new computer???

Going through my husband’s folder, I found one of his lists of quotes. Some are serious and thoughtful; some are just silly. Most of these are his own, but if there are any that are not original to him, I apologize for the plagiarism.

Before deleting, I thought I would share.

Say “no” to sin and “yes” to God.
Eternity is too long to be wrong.
What part of “thou shalt not” did you not understand?
You have a right to be wrong if you want to.
There is more to serving God than 11 am on Sunday morning.
Emotion without devotion is just commotion.
Serving God is walking straight after you repent.
I never saw a U-Haul behind a hearse.
If you want something out of church, put something in.
It is not what Grandma told you, what you think or what you saw that is the truth, but what “thus says the Lord.”

On a recent trip to Ludington, Michigan I saw some interesting signs along the way.

from a restaurant: “Our fish come from the best schools.”
from an ice cream parlor: “This is a happy place…if you are crabby, go home.”
from the trail to the Big Sable Lighthouse at the life saving station: “Be prepared to go out, not to come back.”
on a plaque in an antiques store: “4 out of 5 Great Lakes prefer Michigan.”
on the door of an used book store: “Each time you read a book, a tree smiles, knowing there is life after death.”

Hope you enjoy these. All from my daily devotion book.

Some people are so indecisive, their favorite color is plaid.
Before passing judgment on a sermon, be sure to try it out in practice.
Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Lord, make my words kind, because tomorrow I may have to eat them.
Those who deserve love the least are the ones who need it the most.
The brook would lose its song if the rocks were removed.
Love is not just sentiment; it is service.
When you pray, make sure your will is in neutral so God can shift it.
Service is a gift of love to people given in gratitude for God’s gift of love for you.
Man sees your actions, but God sees your motives.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living accord to Your word.
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Since we just saw England celebrate the 70 years of the reign by Queen Elizabeth II, I thought I would share her comments for my Friday list of laughter and wisdom (even though i am a day late.)

Grief is the price we pay for love.
None of us can slow the passage of time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.
When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.
If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.
It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.
Children teach us all a lesson – just as the Christmas story does – that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.
We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.
Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us have a monopoly on wisdom.
Memories are our second chance at happiness.
The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass.