"Gentlemen Do Not Steal Ladies' Crowns"

I love that they love one another and enjoyed seeing a movie together tonight! I love even more that they had fun capturing these picts,  just for me!! 

Cumberland Sound Terminal in Fernandina

What an awesome night for our family to get out and head north to eat some seafood and walk the beautiful city streets of Fernandina.   We couldn't have chosen a more delightful and relaxing place to spend a Friday night!  Others had the same idea, but for some reason the crowd was very pleasant, more calm, and mature (? ha!) compared to other places we have been known to visit (I won't name those places)!  I'm not sure why there was a difference, but there was, and we loved it! 

What a treat we will want to repeat!!  

 

Most of us ate shrimp dinners at Timoti's Seafood Shak, which was yummy (outdoor/casual).  Besides the good food, Timoti's seemed to be a favorite gathering place for families with young children, because there was a nice playground attached to the outdoor seating with tables.  Following our meal, we walked a short block to the city square where there were great shops to browse, but of course, not before we stopped into the first shop to purchase some chocolate fudge!  There were many small, appealing stores, but our crowd was eager to see the Cumberland Sound Terminal at the end of the street.  What a beautiful sight!!  On the north horizon, the lightning flashed in the sky, and it thrilled me to capture its beauty in the clouds (see above).

To the west of us, the sun was setting behind what appeared to be another storm brewing, but you'd never know from where we were that it was heading our way. 

I'm thankful for my husband's desire to get out, spend a little money tonight on a meal, and make memories with our children while they're still with us.  Mark and I walked away feeling grateful that they do not prefer galavanting all over town to spending time with us, especially when they could easily find more entertaining things to do with friends.  I suppose eventually there will come a day when they will.   I loved spending time together tonight and making memories we all enjoyed.  I only wish it could've lasted a little longer, but "there's always the next time", and already, I can't wait!

From Covenant College to Covenant Marriage

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be
alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 
Gen. 2:18

Our family is thrilled to celebrate the engagement of Will, our nephew/cousin, to Hannah.  

What a beautiful process of growth and love the Lord has perfected in their friendship over a period of four years, when they first met at Covenant College.

It was a joy to finally meet her back in May, and then surprise her with a "Welcome to our family" party the evening they were engaged, last week. 

When I think back on the last four years, the way the Lord orchestrated their friendship to grow, the natural process by which an even greater appreciation for one another would develop, ... I marvel! Their common faith and love for the LORD, their personal pursuits of serving others in Christian ministry, and their fun-loving, unassuming, easy going personalities makes me think of two puzzle pieces being fitly joined together for God's glory! 

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27, ESV

We are looking forward to their January 16th wedding day.  As the months, weeks, and days draw closer to their covenant union, I am sure we will all shed tears of joy once again for the awesome blessing it will be as Hannah officially becomes part of our Cleland Clan.  She'll become an even truer Scot, indeed!  

Mr. Neeley is With Jesus!

Late yesterday afternoon we visited our 95 year old "Dear Friend" and neighbor, Mr. Backstrom Burnside Neeley in the Hospice Care Center at St. Vincents Hospital.
In recent weeks he was treated for pneumonia,  then released and sent to the Life Care Center for rehabilitation to help him recuperate from his illness.  His rehabilitation seemed to go well, until last week, when he began to have reoccurring issues with swallowing and aspirating on his food and drinks again.  He'd lost weight from not having much of an appetite, but evidently, his weight loss was compounded by his esophagus not functioning properly, causing more and more problems. 
Bless his heart.  How quickly he was met with a fight for his life.  He's always had a strong mind and enduring body, but we've been told the pneumonia will overcome his ability to recover.

When we entered his room, we found his frail body lying in a very relaxed state, yet he worked hard for every breath he took.  He was sedated and appeared to be sleeping.  His brow was smooth, and his face shaved.  He's always looked younger than his years.  He still had every bit the grace and respect a man of Southern gentility owns;  the only difference in his stance was that he didn't stand tall.  His integrity was no less strong, nor his favor in our hearts lessened.  Beside his bed was a picture of his bride, Adrienne, who passed away January 4, 2004.  Mr. Neeley has missed her very much, so to see the picture of her beside his bed was a beautiful reminder to me of his enduring devotion and love for her even as he lay so near to her and Heaven. 

His son warned me that he may not be aware of our presence, but I am confident from the noticeable change of his breathing pattern when I stood beside him and spoke that he knew.  I also believe when Mark began to read John chapter 14, Mr. Neeley heard every word.  You ask, "How can you be sure?"  I am sure because Mr. Neeley's head turned in the direction of Mark's voice, on the opposite side of the bed from where I stood.  It seemed he also attempted to speak, but couldn't.  Mark finished reading, then prayed.  Tears rolled.  Mark then thanked Mr. Neeley for being the great friend and example of Southern manliness to us, for loving us well, and for loving His Savior who will reunite us one day where we will worship Him together.  "We will see you again soon, Mr. Neeley."

As we walked away, I thought of his favorite hymn...
I have copied it here to remind us of how confident and encouraged Mr. Neeley was in His faith in the One who delivered him from sin, and then rescued him last night around 10 p.m. from the body which held him here.
Though my heart is still very tender for our loss, I could not be more grateful for the lasting impression and memory of a most treasured friend, the 95, almost 96 year old man who lived his life to the fullest, and who up until a couple of months ago, drove himself to church every Sunday morning to worship His Savior while he lived here on earth.
Happy Moving Day, Mr. Neeley!
We will miss you!!
  He is Able to Deliver Thee

'Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
'Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
'Tis the grandest theme that the world e'er sung,
"Our God is able to deliver thee."

Refrain:
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
"Our God is able to deliver thee."

'Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
'Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
'Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
"Our God is able to deliver thee."

Refrain:
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin opporessed, go to Him for rest;
"Our God is able to deliver thee."

'Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
"Our God is able to deliver thee."

Refrain:
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin opporessed, go to Him for rest;
"Our God is able to deliver thee."  

Words & Music: William A. Ogden

Triumphant Songs for Sunday Schools and Gospel Meetings, by Edwin O. Excell (New York: 1887)

His Love is Faithful!

Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!

 

For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117

 How wise should we be if, with joyful certainty, we accepted each unfolding of His will as proof of His faithfulness and love! 

Susannah Spurgeon    

His Faithfulness

"His faithfulness is a shield and buckler." 

Psalm 91:4b

Meek and Lowly Christ, Our Example

I do believe that there is nothing that has such power over ungodly men as gentleness of spirit, quietness of behavior, patience of character, and the continual conquest over an evil temper.  
If you grow angry when people are angry with you, you will have lost your witness.
But if you can be patient under persecution, 
if you can smile when they ridicule you, 
if you can yield your rights, 
if you can bear and continue to bear, 
you are greater than the man who has taken a city.  

Let the meek and lowly Christ be your example, 
and seek to be a partaker of his Spirit.
He prayed even for his murderers, "Father, forgive them,"
and he ever sought to return good for evil. 

I pray you to do the same, cultivate a gentle spirit.

C.H. Spurgeon, "Thou Art Now the Blessed of the LORD."
 

Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
"Woe to you, Chorazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 
And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?  You will be brought down to Hades.  For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 
But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."  

At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;  
yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 
Matthew 11:25-30, ESV 

Seeing Our FAMILY Through Love's Eyes

Photo credit: Mia Halton Photography

 


"Love . . .
  thinks no evil,
  bears all things,
  believes all things,
  hopes all things,
  endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13:5-7

Love does not suspect unkindness, in kind deeds.
Love does not imagine an enemy, in every friend.
Love does not fear insincerity, in sincere expressions of love.
Love does not question one's motives, nor discount their acts.

But love overlooks mistakes and hides human faults. It tries to think of others always at their best, not at their worst. It considers the best possibilities in people, what they may become through divine love and grace — and not merely what they now are. It is wonderful how seeing through love's eyes changes the whole view of earthly life, transforming it. If the heart is filled with suspicion, distrust, and doubts — the world grows very ugly. 

But love sees brightness, beauty, and hope everywhere!
J. R. Miller, Seeing Through Love's Eyes~


We're committed to one another for life!  There's no backing out of family!  
I love everything about us!
I love that we still wrap our arms around one another and hold each other tight!  
I love that we can all pile into a tight space and laugh!  
I love that we're not perfect people, and we don't expect others to be.  
I love that God gave us to one another, and He is pleased in giving us love for one another.  

If someone tells you they love you, believe them! 
Don't fear or anticipate they'll treat you like they don't.  
Always think the best of those you love, and just maybe, they will think the best of you.  
Leave what doesn't fit together in His hands.  
We must strive to love others like Jesus loves us...unconditionally, sacrificially, and enduringly!  
We can't love without considering first His example.   

I always pray "...that [our] love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that [we] may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11).

If your love for others is superficial, it will not endure. 
Exercise your heart and mind on matters that are essential, edifying to others, and glorifying to the LORD.  Petty differences peck away at what love creates and builds upon! 

We should always seek to be perfected in the love God has for us...so we may then love one another and others the same way.
  
This is how we know what love is...
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has seen God;  if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
Whoever confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 
We love because he first loved us. 
If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 
1 John 4:7-21 
 

The Perfect Counsel of God

Susannah Spurgeon counseled her own heart with these words...

"The Lord has strewn the pages of God's Word with promises of blessedness to those who wait for Him.  And remember, His slightest Word stands fast and sure;  it can never fail you.  
So, my soul, see that you have a promise underneath thee, for then your waiting will be resting and a firm foothold for your hope will give you confidence in Him who has said, 
'They shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.'"

 
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; 
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?  
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!  
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 
Psalm 19:7-14, ESV

Whether I understand God's Word it in its entirety or not, I can be sure it will not return void in the purpose for which the LORD intends it to work in my life.  

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." 
Isaiah 55:8-11, ESV

What a comforting promise to read and rest in!! 

An Eclipse of Love's Sacrifice

C.S. Lewis said, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

To love is to be vulnerable.” 

When my eyes are on myself, I definitely feel vulnerable and weak when love is lost to my own purpose and will.  Yet, when I am willful to love another for their benefit, and not my own, their pleasure becomes mine, and that love is multiplied!  

Today, our friend, Eclipse, was laid to rest.  For 17 years he loved to live, even up to a day or so ago, in spite of a slow paralysis which began hindering his ability to use his hind legs.  About a week ago, his strong will to continue on would not allow the sudden malady to restrain him.  We witnessed [with tears] great strength in his front legs the other day as he pulled himself up on the fence to climb over, so he could cross our yard to come for a visit.  

Did he really love the food we gave him that much?  Or did he love the peace he enjoyed here?  After all, he shared living quarters with, I think, 7 dogs and one other cat at his house.  I don't blame him for thinking our home was a haven, a place to retreat!  We enjoyed his quiet demeanor, and our cats seemingly welcomed him.  He was a faithful 'friend' and visitor, and we were always happy to welcome him.  Late Saturday night I realized he was growing too weak to return home, so after allowing him to first rest, I eventually handed him over the fence to his mom, and he would never return for a visit. 

With tears in her eyes and a sorrowful heart, his owner, Becky, brought him over this afternoon in a pet carrier so we could say goodbye before she took him to the vet.  He'd grown so weak and immobile, but he was fully cognizant of our presence and affection.  She said when he had to use the litter box this afternoon, he fell in to it, and had little ability to lift himself up and out.  She knew it was time to love him enough to release him. 

As I took this last picture of Eclipse, he purred loudly as we loved and caressed his frail, degenerated body.  He could move his head, but didn't have any strength to move his body. 

Katherine and I said our goodbyes, and tears flowed as we walked Eclipse and Becky to the front door, then waved our goodbyes as Becky looked back with tears one more time. 
 

 

Loving anything, or anyone, you've invested time with leaves an indelible mark on your heart. 
Love hurts, but sometimes love receives that hurt in order to love more deeply, more sacrificially.

There's no love that compares to the love Jesus demonstrated when He went all the way to the cross to fulfill His love for those the Father would save.  Under no physical, emotional, or spiritual duress, He went all the way, because His Father ordained this to be the greatest, most sacrificial way to love.  

Shortly after Mark's father passed away in September 2012, our not yet official pastor said something that I have not forgotten... "The LORD didn't intend that we never experience illness, sorrow, or death, but instead that we should better know through those times, He will be Faithful to reveal Himself through them."  Knowing our LORD through such sorrows and grief should be our ultimate aim, and our greatest reward!

One of my favorite quotes of Elisabeth Elliot is...
"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.  The love of God is of a different nature altogether.  It does not hate tragedy.  It never denies reality.  It stands in the very teeth of suffering.  The love of God did not protect His own Son.  That was the proof of His love--that He gave that Son, that He let Him go to Calvary's cross, though "legions of angels" might have rescued Him. 
He will not necessarily protect us--not from anything it takes to make us like His Son."

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
John 17:24-26

Eclipse was buried in his backyard where he spent many happy years, and where Becky will remember him and treasure his memory most.