Pearls of Wisdom

Judith Martin, Miss Manners
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DEAR MISS MANNERS: How many strands of pearls is too many? I had always heard that a lady should never wear more than three at one time. Now I see so many starlets and even Michelle Obama wearing five or six or more. It still looks trashy to me. Have times changed?

GENTLE READER: Of course times have changed, but what do pearls care? With their innocent look, they don't have to obey the rules that restrict their flashier peers.

Miss Manners supposes it is technically possible to wear too many pearls. But five, seven or even nine strands (in a choker worn on a very long neck) have never been considered trashy.

Notice that the possibility of four, six or eight strands was not mentioned. That is because pearls do not lead a totally unrestricted existence. As Miss Manners' dear grandmother took care to teach her, "A lady does not wear an even number of strands of pearls."

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Art and Wisdom According to Mary Engelbreit

Long-time fan. Just a few favorites. And, timely reminders that life is sweet and meant to be savored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comfort from Mom

One of my sisters forwarded this to me tonight. My mom (deceased since 1998) had sent it to comfort her many years ago. Perfect! Words straight from heaven and mom.

 

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit quietly still!

Nor deem these days---these waiting days---as ill!

The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,

Hath not forgotten thy great need today!

And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove

To thee, His tender Child, His heart's deep love.

 

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way

Corrodingly within, because of his delay---

Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest

That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

 

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor move one step, not even one, until

His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!

-J.Danson Smith-

 

FIXING THINGS

Just happened upon a book of solutions. My sister bought it at the hospital resale shop for 25 cents: Fast Fixes and Simple solutions, Surprising Uses for Ordinary Household Items by the editors of FC&A Publishing

• can't get that watch / bracelet fastened without help. Secure the first side to your wrist with Scotch tape--voil'a!


• heating pad is not to be found? Soak the center section of a disposal diaper with water and microwave until warm. They don't leak.


• scrape your fingernails over a bar of soap before heading to the garden. Dirt won't stick and wash up is a breeze.


• sticky resin all over your hands after cutting back the evergreens? Rub mayo all over your hands and wash clean.


• use a plastic child's sled to haul around your garden tools and bulky plant food/soil.


• like the moss, old-fashioned look of a cottage garden? Mix moss with buttermilk and water in a blender. Spread around hard surfaces. Moss grows quickly.
• pour boiling water over the weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks--they die!

So much home-spun wisdom--buy the book!

ENCOURAGING WORDS

Earth Wind & Fire

For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
Romans 5:2
Life Application Bible

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.
Psalms 51:7-13
The Message [Bible] Remix

Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shaped lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.
Psalms 51:16-17
The Message [Bible] Remix

SLOWING DOWN TO SMARTEN UP

Quotes excerpted from Wikipedia:
In his writings, Rob Bell [Mars Hill, Grand Rapid, MI] affirms truth regardless of the source, saying "I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God." However, he acknowledges Scripture as the authoritative source of truth in the Mars Hill Bible Church statement of narrative theology.
Bell says, "This is not just the same old message with new methods. We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life. Legal metaphors for faith don't deliver a way of life. We grew up in churches where people knew the nine verses why we don't speak in tongues, but had never experienced the overwhelming presence of God." Bell's comments about Christianity as an "Eastern" religion come from his association with Ray Vander Laan who compares and contrasts Greek ("Western") thinking with Hebrew ("Eastern") thinking.

In a Chicago Sun Times article entitled The Next Billy Graham?, Bell says of his critics:
"When people say that the authority of Scripture or the centrality of Jesus is in question, actually it's their social, economic and political system that has been built in the name of Jesus that's being threatened," Bell says. "Generally lurking below some of the more venomous, vitriolic criticism is somebody who's created a facade that's not working...But I love everybody and you're next!" he says, giggling. "That's how I respond to criticism."

Isn't it these social, economic, and political systems that have troubled us? Is it that truth, mercy, justice, and God-given wisdom have been squelched, ignored, buried, stuffed in the name of supporting these I-beams of the infra-structure of ministry and our church community?

When did God need spin, image management, and political correctness to build his kingdom? He is the rock we stand on.

I don't think that Rob Bell has it all right. I don't think Bill Hybels or Rick Warren or Ed Young have it all right. But, sometimes little people like us recognize truth--it's that very large neon blinking sign that God has placed in our road--over there just to the right of the bushel we want to hide under!

I'm not advocating becoming the voice crying out in the wilderness--but when God gives you or me a glimmer of a truth, let's share it. He has allowed our hearts to be troubled so that we continue to seek his truth and if we look we can find a little bit more of it each day.

Today IS the first day of the rest of your life! God is not through with us yet!

You know, it feels really good to have a growth spurt, yet we shrink back from change and the unknown. How else can we grow? It is not always painful. Sometimes you just have to shout. "Whe-e-e-e-e-e!"