'OLE NICK'S SOCIAL MEDIA EVENT :-)

 

MAKING PLACE FOR AMBIANCE

We had to run into town this afternoon to grab some kitchen garbage bags - along the way, I spotted this heart shape cutting it's way through a thick cloud …

Heart-shaped cloud shaping up ;-)

And the depth of the cloud fluff is showing.

Our destination was a store called Fry's.

I had never shopped in one before, but Holland has.

A new store for me, a store Holland is familiar with.

Inside, it resembles a Safeway and Shop-n-Kart combined.

Holland and Bleu stayed behind, relaxing in Betsy; we didn't think Bleu would be as welcomed in Fry's as he is in Wal*Mart, so they sat in the 4x listening to music and people watching :-)

I was probably in the store for an hour because I'm not used to the layout, and did several backtrack laps through the aisles to locate things on the List.

I also grabbed some things that weren't on the list … like this colorful garland swag (there are 2 more, too ;-)), that I hung while Bleu and Holland enjoyed a short siesta.

Festive Lights Garland strung while Holland napped.

And some goodies; a little box of candy canes for me, and a tub of peppermint candies for Holland.

I was looking for the tiny canes because I thought they'd look better hung on my crochet christmas cactus, but all Fry's had was the big ones … so, I did the best I could with them, and I don't think they look too bad, hung the way I hung them ;-)

Candy Canes ready for plucking & enjoying.

Peppermints for Holland - he loves these things.

When Holland woke up - and noticed the strung garland and candy canes, I said, "I know you don't "do" the "christmas thing" - and I agree with you that tree adornment and crazy debit to outshine the jones has gotten out of hand and soured the holiday. But, I think a little bit of festivity is okay: I'm not going wild with decorations, and I'm not lavishly waving the card around - everything I'm using to add a bit of holiday ambiance didn't cost much, can easily be stored flat using minimum space; and it will last several years - except the candy, and that's a sweet indulgence that will make the holiday lip-smacking enjoyable. I don't want to rack up debt, either: but I do like bright garlands, and I do like candy canes and christmas cookies in December. December is my BD month, and I like it to be enjoyable. I like color in my life."

He smiled and said, "I've noticed." He was referring to my flamingo makeup and clothing when I get dolled up ;-)

But he was also noting the garland, and candy, too.

And he asked, "Where are the lights?" I said, "I returned them last week - they were really too long, and the electric outlets available won't work without looking hillbillyish. I really want battery operated ones, anyway. Maybe when we get back up north, where we have an actual mailbox, we can look for some online?"

HE AGREED!

It's a Shabbat miracle ;-)

Holland has been very vocal about his avoidance of christmas madness. But, he is bending to allow some festive attitude, and atmosphere in our home. He understands why I want a little low-key holiday "pop"; and I, in return, acknowledge and understand why he wants the holiday festivities to be kept low-key.

ALLOW THE PICTURE

 

TODAY ... LOVE~Shabbat 2023 - Yuma, AZ

December 15th: I started my day early; a 'duty call wakeup' with Bleu … and a lovely sunrise unfolding :-)

The Resort Park is wakening … 7:33 AM

I set my mind on quelling the angry thoughts (post about that follows) racing through my gray matter, and determinedly set about bringing peace and harmony into my Island of Rest: the world around me may be spinning out of control … but I do not have to join in, on the downward spiral.

Angry thoughts Post:(https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2023/12/what-if-israel-islamshabbat-yuma-az.html)

Today is Shabbat, a Day when the pressing needs, concerning, actions, and spiritual deprivation of the world, is deliberately set aside: and the Spirit of Peace (peace that passes all understanding) is welcomed and encouraged.

I spent some early morning time enjoying uninterrupted time, with my handsome furry son.

Bleu …

I put finishing touches on the ABB I had finished the previous evening:

Final touches on ABB; corner picot floret, & a strengthening sl st down entire backside of ABB.

I touched base with Friends on the internet - replied to FB texts, and was pleasantly surprised to see that my Christmas Cactus pattern post, and Blog had been highlighted on a few Blog sites :-)

When Holland woke up, I enjoyed time and convo with him.

And we both enjoyed the lunch he drove into town to get, "so you can just rest and enjoy your day Baby, and not cook" ;-)

He is still struggling with my Messianic Faith … but today, at least, he is trying to understand it: and the importance of Shabbat, in my Life. I am not a stickler about strict observances, and I don't mind cooking on the Sabbath - but it's nice not to have to :-)

Love in action; a crunch-wrap for me; and burritos for himself ;-)

I am grateful for my husband's thoughtfulness.

I am thankful for Elohim's gifting of this man in my Life: his loving presence in my life blesses me in so many ways.

My WA friend sent me a text, and I saw that there is no snow there yet, though the temperature where she lives is a freezing 32-degrees.

It gets cold here, too, in the morning. People think the desert is hot all the time, but when the sun goes down in the winter months … so does the temperature:

Pam's texts … in the afternoon, she had gone for a walk at Willow Grove; and sent me a picture of what she saw as she walked the Trail Loop - somebody has a sense of humor. LOL!

As the Day ebbed and our texting contacts with friends slowed (we both had active phones all day long); Holland relaxed with a couple TV movies, a few FB interactions, and a couple YouTube videos … I relaxed by stitching up another Angel Baby Blanket.

Bleu relaxed by spending time with both of us throughout the day ;-)

Holland & Bleu.

The start of another ABB.

MOD 21" ANGEL BABY BLANKETS ~ 7 Designs/Knit:

 (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/03/mod-angel-baby-blankets-7-designs.html)

Once it was underway, it was a relaxing Shabbat today :-)

Lamb - "Pray For Jerusalem" song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgyfvuI-XCs)

WHAT IF - Israel & islam~Shabbat - Yuma, AZ

December 15th: My heart breaks for the people of Israel; still suffering the after-effects of a satanically inspired war … and still engaged in forward-going war efforts to rid the world of islamic terrorists.

My thoughts are angry towards the people of America who have lost their moral footing; gambling with their souls.

That our divided Congress, wishy-washy House of Representatives, and that demented moron squatting in the White House actually felt the need to vote on whether Israel has a "right to exist" or not following the deliberate islamic attack on Israel, October 7th'23, infuriates me.

My whole being is filled with sorrow at how far Americans have gone down the rabbit hole since the first barak and michael obama coup in 2009: understanding that with this 3rd demonic-religiously inspired political coup, the highest seats in our government are held by American & Israel hating persons (who cannot rationally define what a human being is), is mind-boggling. And that 99% of American Jews, and Christians, promote and support islam ... is staggering.

That people who think they are intelligent are discounting the horrific massacre in Israel, on Jews (innocent men, women, children, and babies); and demanding global focus, sympathies, and support be redirected to the terrorist-breeding, training, and harboring muslims in Gaza, is wickedness spurred forward by pure evil.

The world's spiteful hatred is encroaching on my Day of Rest :-(

Forgive me Lord.

Let the Spirit of Peace dwell in my home, and my heart: settle my heart's emotions and soothe my angry thoughts.

Just Remember I Love You~Only You

Today was the 5th year of Bob's spirit stepping off this Earth.

Today's tears were brief.

There were tears for me because I realized that today, for the first time in 5 years … there was NO GHOST MEMORY of Bob haunting the Day. I am 100% healed - and Holland coming into my life, and being a part of my life, did that.

There were tears for Holland … not for Bob; it is hard to be married to a widow. A man married to a widow lives with uncertainty - he knows with a certainty that the marriage did not end because love ended; and that leaves a lot of room for a lot of introspective questions.

I was married to Bob for 44 years; 3/4 of my life to date. I don't intentionally set out to bring him into every conversation, but all of my adult life, Bob was in my life: his name comes up when I am talking about foods I like to eat, things I enjoy doing, and places I have been. And for the most part … Holland is okay with that.

I can't help that. It was what it was - and it is what it is.

But it can get annoying.

Every thing about my life is edged with memories of a life I had with Bob: there is literally nothing I can do or say that Holland is not reminded of Bob. Overthinking begins to take the lead, and the atmosphere gets testy.

Misunderstandings on both sides eat away at everything.

Today, on this particular Day, I want Holland to KNOW that WE are a safe bet - a good and solid gamble. I want him to know that his love for me is safeguarded in my heart - I 100% love him for WHO HE IS in the moment in my Life going forward.

Holland; I love my big guy :-)

Holland in my life is not a replacement: he is a permanent resident of a New Life; a Life I built, with Elohim's help: a life Bob never shared. A Life Elohim structured to make a place for Holland, in (though it took me a while to acknowledge and admit; I did not get the vision when Holland, did ;-)). 

My tears today were healing tears: the Past breezed by, finally closing the door behind it - and Holland, not knowing what Day today is; was told & verbally promoted to front of the line in the Life we are building.

I didn't have to tell him: but I wanted him to know that my love for him is as deep and as strong as my love for Bob was. I want Holland to know that his presence in my life is just as important as Bob's presence was. I want him to know that when I tell him I love him … it's the Real Deal, not a half-assed assurance.

I want Holland to feel safe entrusting his love to me. I want Holland to know that I am his safe person, who will hold his heart tenderly and will lovingly feed it goodness all the days of my life.

Holland; my handsome husband :-)

The ghost of Past love has been laid to rest, and it is a liberating feeling.

Bob was - Holland IS.

These 11 months have been hard ones (mostly due to misunderstandings); BUT there has also been good moments sandwiched between the hard ones, and these memories we will build on.

Firefall - 'Just Remember I Love You' lyrics: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcLI8Lbef5Q)

One love ended on this day 5 years ago.

One love was rekindled and is breathing life back into our Life, this Day, today.

THANK YOU, GOD!

🥰😁😘👏

1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 1/Thursday Bible Study

It has been a while since I last posted a Thursday Bible Study: I remarried January 7th of 2022, and started touring America. Currently, I am in Yuma-AZ, where I will be for several weeks - so I thought I'd take this time to post another chapter in my Bible Study series :-)

My new Husband, Holland & Me~2023; our new 4x pickup, Betsy & our new Home, Independence (45- ft. 5th Wheel); we drove from WA to WV to purchase our New Home. We are full-time Road Gypsy RVr's (read Blog's side panel info) :-)

During the shifting of two households into one, and our journeying, I have lost the Bible and study materials I had used in previous Thursday Bible Studies … so, this Bible Study will read a little differently: the wording won't be quite as relaxed - and the background information won't be as in depth; but wording it will still be more up-to-date than the King James Version (which I really like, but is hard for some to understand), and I will include as much background information as I can (when I can get it).

I am a Messianic Believing Christian since 1979, and use messianic terms in reference to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; I will explain them as I use them.

I will do my level best to post every Thursday so the studies flow easily, but internet connection on the road can be tricky at best - and impossible to find in remote places. Please be patient, and thank you for consistently checking back on this Blog site. The Lord bless you mightily ;-)

INTRO TO today's Bible Study:

In Paul's time, Thessalonica was the prominent seaport and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.

Roman Provence of Macedonia.

This prosperous city was located on the Via Egnatia, the main road from Rome to the East, within sight of Mount Olympia - legendary home of the Greek pantheon (https://www.thecollector.com/differences-between-parthenon-vs-pantheon/).

Mt. Olympus; Greece.

Cassander (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cassander) expanded and strengthened this site around 315 B.C. and renamed it after his wife, the half-sister of Alexander the Great (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great).

The Romans (https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire) conquered Macedonia in 168 B.C., and organized it into a single province 22 years later, with Thessalonica as the capital city.

It became a "free city" under Augustus (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augustus-Roman-emperor) with it's own authority to appoint a governing board of magistrates who were called "politarchs" (pŏl' ə tärk (πολιτάρχος, ruler of city; the Greek word politarchos means literally “city-ruler”). The strategic location assured Thessalonica of commercial success, and it boasted a population of perhaps 200,00 in the 1 Century.

Thessalonica survives under the shortened name of Salonika (the city of Salonika is located in northern Greece).

Salonika; Evening Post, February 5th, 1916.

Thessalonica had a sizable Jewish population, and the ethical monotheism of Judaism attracted many *Gentiles who had become disenchanted with Greek paganism. These God-fearers quickly responded to Paul's reasoning in the synagogue when he ministered there on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:10). Most of the Thessalonica converts were Gentiles who came out of idolatry; Paul stayed in Thessalonica longer than planned to continue an extensive ministry directed to the Gentiles after his work with the Jews and God-fearers.

The Apostle Paul had many pleasant memories of the days he spent with the infant Thessalonian Church. Their faith, hope, love, and perseverance in the face of persecution are exemplary. Paul's labors as a spiritual parent to the fledgling Church have been richly rewarded, and his affection is visible in every line of his letter to them.

Paul encourages them to excel in their new-found Faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. He closes his letter with instruction regarding the return of Yeshua, Whose advent signifies hope and comfort for Believers both living - and those who have been laid to rest.

Throughout this letter, is an unmistakable emphasis upon the steadfastness in the Lord, and a continuing growth in faith and love in view of the return of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach … but also the life of the Believer in every  practical relationship, each aspect of which can be transformed and illuminated by the glorious prospect of His eventual return.

********************

1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 1

Paul's Commendation for Their Growth (vv.1 thru 10)

"Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (1 Peter 5:12) - to the Church of the Thessalonians in **Elohim and the ***Yeshua Ha'Mashiach: Grace to you and peace from Elohim and Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. We give thanks to Elohim always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in the sight of Elohim (John 6:29 & Romans 16:6), knowing beloved brethren, your election by Elohim (Colossians3:12).

For our ****gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the *****Ruach HaKo'desh and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake (Mark 16:20, 2 Corinthians 6:6, & Hebrews 2:3).

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy in the Ruach HaKo'desh, so that you could become examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Thessalonica & Achaia.

For from you the Word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward Elohim has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything (Romans 1:8, 10:18 & 16:19).

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to Elohim from idols, to serve the living and true God (1 Corinthians2:2), and to wait for His Son from ******Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead - Yeshua, Who delivers us from the wrath to come."

*Gentile: a person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term ha-goyim, which means “the nations” … meaning nations of the world that were not Hebrew.

**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

***Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.

The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.

****Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ.

*****Ruach HaKo'desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (רוח הקודש, Roo-ahk hah-Koh-desh) refers to the divine force, quality, and influence (aka, power) of God.

The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16 & 11:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; and Jude 1:20), is referred to more than 90 times in the B'rit Chadashah.

The New Testament is called the B'rit Chadashah in Hebrew, meaning "New Covenant" (the word B'rit means "covenant" and Chadashah means "new")

******Heaven: The Hebrews acknowledge three heavens – the atmosphere surrounding Earth; the firmament of outer space, in which the stars are placed; and the heaven of Heavens, or third heaven, which is he residence of Jehovah.

Among Christians, Heaven is the place where the omnipresent God of Gods dwells and manifests His supreme glory; this habitation of God is represented by the residence of angels and the blessed spirits of those who are rewarded eternal salvation.

**COLOSSIANS 3 & 4: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/01/colossians-chapters-3-bible-study.html