Multitude Monday: Breath

Way, way back in the beginning, God created the world and everything in it. The light and the darkness, He spoke into existence first. Then He spoke the water and sky to their places, so complicated that earth science and physics students spend years and lifetimes trying to understand it.

On subsequent days, God's spoken word caused the land and the seas to appear, and the land blossomed with plants. He hung the moon and stars and various other objects that are beyond comprehension even in this day of technology and intelligence. He filled the seas with teeming life and covered the land with birds and insects and mammals, each with a job to do. And it was good. All good.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6

On the sixth day, God created man to rule over, or take care of, His other creations. But unlike before, He didn't speak man into existence, but with His hands and the new dirt, formed and molded man in His image. He wasn't done yet. I wonder, did He hold Adam's head in his hands, look into his eyes? Did he make some changes, refining this or that, smoothing the clay as all sculptors do?

Did He lean Adam's head back just a little as He breathed life into his nostrils? With that breath, man became a living creature. That breath, straight from God, will never cease. This life we have on earth, living in shells made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, will end when the circle is complete, but the breath will never end. It will continue for eternity with God or away from Him, but the breath of God cannot be extinguished. He is the air we breathe.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2Timothy3:16

How can we thank Him for that? How can we thank Him for. . .
     the air we breathe
     strong lungs to breathe in, breathe out
     clean air
     the physical laws He put into action, so we can breathe without thinking
     remembering my sons' first cries, first breath
     the moon, controlling the tides and inspiring poetry
     the stars, mysterious, beautiful
     plants for our food
     plants for our healing
     plants for our pleasure
     topsoil
     trees to shelter us from heat
     trees to build our houses
     trees to raise happy children
     mountains
     rivers
     rocks (I am a rock groupie; ask my students!)
     His dynamic earth
     the seasons
     the way the sun warms my back through the window
     the birds that come to the feeders, colors flashing

     hands covered with age spots, but still strong
     a gift of candy at Sunday School.....a chocolate hug.
     an unexpected gift from a much loved friend
     my friend, Lynn, sharing her coat?

We can never thank Him enough. We can have a thankful attitude. Always.

What a pity it is that this earth, which is so full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! ~Matthew Henry

Joy Dare 76-100

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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