Week 3 October 2025

October 15, 2025

Beauty In the Dying...Reminder 

 I played "Better Than A Hallelujah" at church this past Sunday. I always think of the song in the fall...because of the first time I was inspired to write this blog in October 2019. Then I reposted three years later, inspired by my Aunt Linda's final months. It seems "funny" to me that I am inspired to repost again...and it is three years again! We lost Aunt Linda three years ago this past Monday.  I have been thinking a lot about Leah as well, she was much like Aunt Linda in her vibrant colors and personality. I have been missing my sister as I know Mom and her siblings are missing each of theirs that have passed (Linda, Sue and Marge). So I am reposting the blog from October 23, 2022 in it's  entirety.  I hope you don't mind. ♥️🍁

Where to start...even though this is a repeat of a blog I wrote back on October 23, 2019 (funny, exactly 3 years ago). Since then, when I am surrounded by all the gorgeous autumn color, I always think about that "beauty in the dying" concept....but especially this fall, this year....my colorful, bright, beautiful Aunt Linda's life was coming to an end. 

How perfectly appropriate she die in October when the foliage all around was so absolutely stunning and filled with the vibrant orange she loved so much!

Though she knew her time here was quickly fading, she lived, loved and laughed to the fullest. 

She made sure each one around her felt loved, just as she had always done. She proclaimed her assurance in her God and her faith....Beauty in the dying as she was living....a Hallelujah!

The following is the 2019 blog, unedited, just as I posted it:

Working on last week's blog...getting the song Better Than A Hallelujah video correct...I wondered if the pictures were the right ones for the song?...appropriate to convey what I was feeling when I listened?

And then it struck me....the absolutely gorgeous fall colors that we have been experiencing, the beautiful scenery....is actually the result of the foliage on the trees dying!  And then I thought ...those pictures are perfect for that song!
"Beautiful the mess were are..."
Because in our brokenness and mess...God can be and is glorified!
We are all dying....we were not meant to live on this earth forever.
📖  As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; Romans 3:10
📖 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

He brings life even in the dying....because the life He brings isn't a life lived in our earthly bodies forever, it is an eternal life for our souls in His presence.
So no matter what physical age we are or what circumstances we find ourselves ...we are all dying....but in that...shouldn't we live it out beautifully!?

📖But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.  It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 4:7-15

"Even in our misery....God just hears a melody"

📖 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Shouldn't our lives be a "hallelujah" to our Creator?!
📖 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

We need to let "the honest cries of our broken hearts" become Hallelujahs in our Lord's ears....and let our limitless and boundless God give us joy in our limitations!
God gave us today!  For His purpose!  I pray you find that purpose today!  Even if it is just to lift a thank you; for the scenery around you, for the day before you, for the people around you, for the breath you are taking....
come on!  You have MORE Hallelujahs, I am sure of it!

Better Than a Hallelujah Amy Grant

 If the above video doesn't play try the link below. 

Better Than A Hallelujah (video by Tracey)

Week 2 October 2025

Come To the Table

October 6, 2025

🍞🍷This past Sunday, being the first Sunday of the month, was our communion, or Lord's Supper. As it so happens, it was also World Communion Sunday.  So virtually every Christian Church in the world was observing communion at some point this past Sunday!  What a thought!  The song that was played during our communion time was Come To the Table by Sidewalk Prophets. I have heard it before, it has been played before.  

What struck me was the invitation in the song for people to come to the Lord's Table, and sit beside Him.

I am sure many of us have a thought in our minds of who would be sitting there, and next to Him.

But in reality all are welcome at the table, He calls every sinner to come.

Would we be willing to sit at the table with murderers, thieves, rapists, molesters?  How about with gossips, those who are bitter, resentful, jealous, prideful,.....WHOA  hey...they are not the same!

Oh....but....

📖 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:13-26

The bible says we are ALL sinners, regardless of our offense, 

📖 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24

and Christ died for all, 

📖The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Romans 6:10

IF we accept Him..

📖 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, Romans 3:22

and what He has done for us...taking on our sin.

📖“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Shedding His blood in place of ours

📖Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27-28

If we come with humble, repentant hearts

we are all welcome at the Table!

🙏🏼Lord, help me to see all those around Your table as You do, washed in the blood of Christ. Fill me with Your compassion, Your grace, and Your Mercy. Thank you that what You did for me saved me and is my invitation to Your table.❤️

🔗Come To the Table

Week 1 October 2025

 Disciples vs Apostles: The Important Difference 

October 2, 2025

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!  You have heard the saying "learn something new everyday." Well I did this past Sunday!  It may have been something I did know...but if that is the case I had completely forgotten it!

Actually, I had to make a bit of an alteration to this  log that I posted a couple of years ago.

The difference between disciple and apostle! And when I first wrote this missed an important distinction between the two.

Disciple:

A disciple would literally follow someone in hopes of eventually becoming what they are. A Christian disciple is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). A disciple is first a believer who has exercised faith (Acts 2:38) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

Jesus called His disciples to come follow Him

📖 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20

He told them He would change them and their purpose. 

They were to follow literally and figuratively. They left their homes, professions, and even families and went with Jesus. Traveled where He went. But they also learned to follow His teachings, His actions, to become more like Him.

📖 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

📖  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Then, they became apostles

📖 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Luke 6:13

In the New Testament, twelve disciples were commissioned as Apostles. After Judas’s death, the church replaced the vacancy by selecting Matthias, as Acts records. To this number Jesus added the Apostle Paul as the special Apostle to the gentiles. Paul’s apostleship was a matter of some debate because he did not meet all of the requirements for apostleship set forth in Acts. The criteria for apostleship included being: (1) a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry, (2) an eyewitness of the Resurrection, and (3) called and commissioned directly by Christ. Paul was not a former disciple, and his vision of the resurrected Christ occurred after Jesus’ ascension. Paul was not an eyewitness of the Resurrection in the same way the other Apostles were. Nevertheless, Paul was directly called to the office by Christ. His call was confirmed by the other Apostles, whose apostleship was not in doubt and was authenticated by the miracles God performed through him, attesting his authority as an Apostolic agent of revelation.

How I missed this the first time I blogged this I don't know. 

They were not meant to be disciples only...it was training for their actual purpose! They were given a mission, by Jesus Himself,  which is what made them THE apostles.

📖  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

It is important that we become disciples of Christ.  To follow His ways and learn who He is and how we are to be.  We have a mission as well, we are a called to go and tell, to be ambassadors of Christ.

To remain disciples only we are missing an important part of being a Christian. 

📖 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18

📖 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

We must learn and then take that to others, that is what makes us a Christian. 

But the term apostle was meant for those  first with Christ. 

📖 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as

 though God were making his appeal through

 us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

The term may be used loosely today. But for me it is important to first learn and know what our mission is about. 

It is important to know who Jesus is and what He teaches before we can go out and tell others how life changing following Him can be.

We need to constantly be in step with Him so we have the resources to take His message to others.

📖 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

🙏I pray today Lord, help us to listen and learn from You, to be committed to following Your ways so that we can tell and show others who You are at every opportunity.  Amen❤️

Week 4, September 2024

September 25, 2024

The rest of the story...

  📖 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

If you missed last week's blog "To be continued" you might want to read that first.

🔗 https://coffeetimewithafriend.blogspot.com/2024/09/to-be-continued.html?m=1

So, after a flat tire that took 3 hours to get help with.  We got back on the road,  but knew we needed to find some air. First gas station air wasn't accessible with the camper, but filled the gas tank!

Back on the Interstate MY vehicle tire pressure light came on, we had to pull off the highway again and found air that I could get to. By then my light had gone off. I videoed messaged my son so he could check tires visually and we discussed air pressure. He felt it was a tire pressure sensors since all my tires were good with their air pressure.

At this point it was decided we would avoid the Interstate as we continued to Maine, incase we had another mishap we would not be on the busy highway but closer to people and possible help.

So with everything combined, we rolled into our campsite at 11:30pm trying to set up quietly as to not disturb our neighbors on either side.

Got hooked up what was needed for the night and we went to bed. 

Come morning the fridge was throwing a low voltage code and we didn't seem to have power???

When I went to the office to register our vehicle I mentioned it and the woman told me she would send someone over. 

Tom came right over, checked the box...all good (which I figured). He checked the voltage on my battery...low. He then explained to me how the system works.(my "something new" this trip).  It must be the camper's inverter. When I was under the bed getting the camper ready I had noticed a random cord unplugged. Never had noticed it before. So now I wondered....I had to pull some plywood coverings off...but found what I believed to be the inverter and sure enough that unplugged cord came from it. I found an empty outlet...plugged the cord in and... Everything clicked on and began working as it should! Praise God it was that simple! As I was putting things back together, covering the outside battery and securing the lid with it's bungee  cord ...the other end let loose and stuck me in the face...just under my left eye. At the moment I wasn't sure if it had gotten my eye...Rachel looked and there was no blood, my eye was intact!  All good! Except for the "shiner" I sported around the rest of vacation!

There are other things that happened that we know God was taking care before vacation week even started.

Over the weekend Marah and Andrew's car wouldn't start twice...Sunday night a new battery installed, they could still come over to Maine on Tuesday. Then Monday as the first of us were traveling, Andrew was stranded in PA, his tractor trailer wouldn't start!  With a consultation over the phone he got it running and took it to his repair shop in Watertown and his parents picked him up there. Marah, Andrew, and Kevin  could still leave on scheduled Tuesday!

My parents arrived without incident, other than getting lost.

But when they left on Friday with their map all set... God protected them as there was a very close call with another vehicle. And my mother realized she had left her mother's ring on the hotel bed. She called the hotel and they went right to the room, it hadn't been cleaned yet and there was her ring, right where she had left it. I went right over to the hotel to get it. 

Things like high winds and rain which prompted Coastal flooding and high wave warnings beginning Thursday night. I closed the awning and shuttered windows and other than being pummeled with acorns the camper was fine.

No roads or beaches closed for our final day of vacation. 

Most of this seems minimal or even insignificant.  But all wrapped up in one family vacation....

To God nothing is insignificant and all of it could have gone differently. 

📖 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We are grateful that His mercy and grace were with us even before our trip began. 

God goes with all of us, He is with us in all things. And He is working even if we don't "see". 

📖  In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

We have to trust.

📖 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

Even in the midst of the difficult and confusing we keep moving and working because we know He is doing the same.

📖 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:6

🙏🏼 Lord, help us to remember, that whatever our circumstances, You are working for our good️. I pray we are  humbled and grateful ♥️

📖 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Week 3 September 2024

September 20, 2024

To be continued...

  I sometimes wait to be inspired by events that might be happening.  So Monday was a traveling day to Maine with Rachel, three children and the camper I have towed on 4 trips so far.

Now remember we are new to campering....and the friend who sold it to Rachel has been amazing in his advice and help. But we have learned new things every trip about camping, towing, campers, campgrounds etc.

After the events of Monday and Tuesday I will wait to see what else might happen.

So this blog is later this week.

Monday was supposed to be about 6 hours travel time. Arrive at the campsite, set up in daylight...which we never manage to do. And go find a beach...or 2 even!

Well......3 hours into the trip on Interstate 89S just passed Burlington VT a loud bang...we knew it was a tire and I got off onto the shoulder immediately.  It is an extremely busy highway. And no one...Noone..was going over into the further lane or slowing down!

The day before I left I remembered our insurance company had a number for roadside assistance! Perfect...I call...all automated, but had someone headed our way!  This is GOOD. So after about 40 minutes waiting and calming kids (the speeding traffic was pretty scary) a van comes. He assess, calls his boss and says "sorry, I can't do a camper".

I had been calling a few tire places to see if, once we got the spare on, I could get someone with knowledge and expertise to check and make sure we were good to continue on for the less than 3 hours we had left.

So I began calling those same places back asking about road side assistance.  At this point, it was just after 4pm. "Sorry, we can't help you today." "We might be able to send someone tomorrow." "We can't change a tire on the Interstate, if we tow you off the Interstate then we can change it."  "We can't tow it with a flat, change it first and then we can tow you." 

Now, I don't have a problem changing a tire and the spare was a full size camper tire...I was extremely concerned about safety...since the tire was traffic side, but both tire irons I had did not fit the lugs (chalk one up for not being prepared) it was now almost 5 and more places I called said it was too close to closing to come help. I explained we had children in the car and to far from home or our destination etc.

I did get one place, 40 minutes away that would come for $875. 

We were desperate,  but not that desperate. 

We decided we had to get the kids off the highway and me to a parts store for a proper wrench. But knew I couldn't just leave the camper " abandoned.  One "kindly" service place said "call the state police".

Which is what I ended up doing, to let them know there would be a disabled camper on the side of the road. They were kind, they may have heard the desperation and tears that were threatening to spill. But they would send someone with lights for safety and "would make some calls" I told her I tried at least 15 places, but I would appreciate anything. 

Vermont State Police Officer was there in 10, maybe 15 minutes. My insurance company called at this time wanting to send someone else. But the officer was on the phone too and said... "dispatch has someone on the way, be here in 10". I hung up with insurance! They were there in 5 minutes tire changed in 10, $115! I could have kissed both the officer and the service guy! 

A side note: The company that came out was one that had told me they "couldn't help me today". Interesting.

It wasn't the technician who came...he just knew his company put out a road side call and he was closest.  I guess state police are more influential than a woman on the Interstate with a flat and small children.

God took care....could things have gone smoother....yes....but could things have gone way less "smoothly' YES!

God takes care, even if it seems everything is wrong....there is much more going God's way than we can see sometimes.

Check back early next week to read the rest of God working things out... and scripture will be included..

To be continued....

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

. Jeremiah 29:11a

Week 2 September 2024

September 11, 2024

Roller Coaster 🎢 

  Sometimes we just don't know where this ride is going....we have to....Trust 

Things in life sometimes.....most of the time, seem to be careening out of our control.  Like riding on a Rollercoaster.  We feel there is nothing we can do but hang on, ride it out and close our eyes through the worst of it. 

But that Rollercoaster car is attached to tracks and we trust that we will reach the end of the ride.

As crazy and wild this ride of life is...our faith in God holds us to the track. 

When we put our trust in God He will hold us securely through all the crazy twists and turns life brings, the dark tunnels, even when things go upside down. 

📖 When I am afriad, I put my trust in you Psalm 56:3

📖  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

What goes along with trust?

📖 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6

Giving up the notion that I may know best what the outcome should be.

Understanding that God has all of it, He knows the bigger picture ...He sees the whole ride.

I have to surrender my agenda, the way I think things should go. 

He will be with us through every moment 

📖 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

We keep in conversation with Him. 

📖   Lord, you are the God who saves me;
    day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
    turn your ear to my cry.  Psalm 88:1-2

Not just when we are careening through an upending loop and a dark tunnel, but always

📖  pray continually,  1 Thessalonians 5:13

Remember remain seated and keep your hands inside the car.

This is for our own safety. Everything you will need to get through the ride is inside that car. Trying to find something outside of it is dangerous and can cause harm. 

📖  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:4-5

Trying to find solace in things that seem better or false things that you think could save you will actually, in the end bring you harm.

📖 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 

There are others around you going through the same thing. You can reach out to them.

🙏🏼I pray that if you feel life is a Rollercoaster right now, that things slow down, to the speed of a kiddie ride. ♥️

📖  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  Matthew 8:26-27

 Trust in Him...He has got this!

Week 1 September 2024

Labor For Him

September 4, 2024

Well, Sunday the plan was to publish this Monday...Labor Day. And Sundays message was inspiring!  Thank you Terry. 

 Labor for the Lord

📖 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

📖 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Here is the Youtube link if you want to watch it.

📽 September 1

Then after Monday I was inspired by my Dad's 80th birthday celebration! (His actual birthday is the 6th)

80 years sees a lot of ....everything. 

Hard times, good times, sadness, tragedy, triumph. 

But Dad's (and Mom's) faith these past several years has been a beacon!

With the loss of my sister to cancer in 2021 and Dad's illness in 2022. We didn't think we would be celebrating anymore birthdays. But he knew God was going to heal him!

And mom said something Monday..."You worked hard to get back!" 

And I thought well doesn't that just tie in to "Labor Day"!

And doing all for the Lord. 

There were doctors and nurses and aids and specialist and physical therapists, dieticians, and speech therapists, my MOM..this list goes on!

But despite them all if Dad hadn't put in the work he wouldn't be where he is now. Celebrating 80 years, driving, gardening, mowing lawn, everything he did before! Maybe a bit slower, but he IS 80😉.

He did because he is a stubborn old farmer, but also because God gave him the will and the courage! He drew his strength from the belief that God was going to restore!

📖 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20-21

And so for all of us...whatever God has before you today, it may seem an insurmountable mountain, but we belong to a God who moves mountains!

Commit to do the work He has set before you. He is with you every step of the way!

📖  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

🙏🏼Our Amazing God, thank You for running the race with us, even carrying us when we grow weary. Encourage us to do the work you have put before us for You! For Your glory! Amen❤️

📖 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31