She’s Dancing with the Stars, A tribute to Emily Gaines Tinsley

My mother-in-law, Mom Tinsley, passed away on Monday at the age of 97. She was the mom who adopted Bill and his twin, Happy/AKA Debbie. So those who know Edie, my other mother-in-law, don’t panic. I was blessed to have a very good relationship with her, and she jokingly called me her “favorite” daughter-in-law, since I was her only one. She was always very affirming to me, even telling me I was beautiful with wet hair and no makeup, after swimming in the lake. As said by so many others, she endeared people with her Southern charm of calling them “Sweetheart” “Darling” and “Honey.” She was a wonderful, supportive wife, mother and grandmother. Her legacy will live on.

 

One thing we shared in common was a love of dancing, although she could dance circles around me and so many others. When she became a widow, she had boyfriends galore and she went out dancing often until at age 91, when she fell and broke her shoulder. Her quality of life after that was not what she was used to. I hated to see her reduced to just sitting, watching the television instead of living life to the fullest as she had before. Up until she was no longer able to drive she drove people to church, doctor’s appointments and was even a Christian counselor going to school, I think in her eighties, to get a Master’s degree. But the “Master’s Degree” that was most important to her was the one that said, Jesus is my Lord and Master. She had a prayer book with pictures in it of those who she was praying for and her prayers helped many people along the way. She made people feel loved and happy and that was truly her gift to the world.

 

Monday September 18^th I felt that the Lord wanted me to spend the day in Orlando, being at her side with her since Bill, Teresa and Frances had to work and Tina lives in Georgia. She had come through the surgery on Friday for her hip and the surgery on Sunday for a broken wrist well. Her daughter, Happy had flown in from Tennessee and wanted a ride over to the hospital and strangely, when normally my schedule doesn’t always allow for a day trip, all was good.

 

It was a long, bittersweet day and I’m not going to go into details, but it ended with her passing on into her heavenly home. After I returned home, I was wound up and turned on the television. The blast from the speakers said, “And this is Dancing with the Stars,” which was one of her favorite programs. I knew it was a special sign for me that she was dancing with Jesus.

 

She’s Dancing with the Stars 

 

Emily Gaines Tinsley showed us how to dance with her life,

And how to dance through life and do it well.

Her eyes, her countenance, her joy as she danced through life showed us first:

A little girl

A fun loving sister,

A young bride,

A loving mother,

A faithful daughter of our

Lord Jesus Christ.

 

All these things were there

In her eyes and life journey.

She communicated so well

With her beautiful blue eyes,

But also with the way

She danced through life.

She personified grace and mercy.

She was a sweet grandmother

A woman passionate

About her family and friends.

 

 “I’m ready to go,” she said to Teresa

On Friday, before her operation.

“You’re going home, Mama”

 

A few days later, her eyes portrayed

A new desire, “Set me free, Lord

To dance before You

At Your Majestic throne!

I’ve been in this old body

Way too long.

 

 

The Lord looked into those beautiful blue eyes

And said,

“Come my daughter, it’s your time.

You’ll not only be dancing with the stars,

You’ll be dancing with the One who flung them into heaven.”

 

(Donna Collins Tinsley in celebration of Emily Gaines Tinsley’s life 1920-2017)

 Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things;
         Let this be known throughout the earth.
 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O Emily,
         For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 Isaiah 12:4-6

 

To me, this quote by Mother Teresa of Calcutta sums up her life story and walk.

"Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be a loving expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely, give always a happy smile. Give them not only your care, but your heart." Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 

E ver loved by her family even

M ore as each year passed

I ndescribably beautiful

L atter years were peaceful

Y outhful in ways and looks always.

 

T houghtful

I n the ways of the Lord she walked

N eeded and cared for

S hine on, dear one

L ovely in ways and deeds

E xuberant and happy with dancing feet

Y ears of joy have been given. (Donna Collins Tinsley)

Praying for single parents today; the cross has made you flawless!

Having a family and being a family can be a bumpy ride with bruises and scars. Amazing grace can remedy what we can't as mere humans. That's what the cross is all about; turning very flawed people into flawless by the blood of Jesus. The lyrics to this song say it all today and we pray that it lift your spirits. We pray that families will grow strong, powerful, full of mercy and love and that they be healed, restored, and grow together. We know there are many unspoken heart cries and hurts and we know that You, Jesus, hear those cries, mend those wounds and bind up those sorrows.

Praying extra for single parents today and their children. We ask, Lord, that You meet all needs and send journeymates for wisdom and relief at times. We also hold up those in authority over us and pray for our policemen, military and firemen.. All are welcome to put requests on as led by the Lord. We hold each other up, together we are strong.

No matter the bumps

No matter the bruises

No matter the scars

Still the truth is

The cross has made

The cross has made you flawless

No matter the hurt

Or how deep the wound is

No matter the pain

Still the truth is

The cross has made

The cross has made you flawless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ7EyPTOltw

The sound of Heaven touching Earth explodes as we pray for those who grieve

The sound of Heaven touching Earth...there is the sound of heaven touching earth as we pray on Saturdays for those who have lost loved ones to death. Angels surround the ones left behind. They pray, they remember, they long for that precious one. Anita Smith once said that any parent who's lost a child will make sure their hearts are right before the Lord that they may see them again in heaven. The thing about Saturday’s prayer is there is always a family experiencing the death of a family member somewhere.

Grief has no timetable, each one processes differently, some stay numb with a holy numbness I believe, for a while, then it overwhelms them, just when other may say they should be "over it." Don't judge, just love and have an open ear and open arms. For those whose grave sites are fresh we pray for strength for this day and hope for the future as you remember all the good memories in your mind.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Spirit Break Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TOOXRpn8w

 Our Father, all of Heaven roars Your name

Sing louder, let this place erupt with praise

Can you hear it, the sound of Heaven touching Earth

The sound of Heaven touching Earth

I Want to be Your Cheerleader!

 I Want to be Your Cheerleader!

 “Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?” might’ve been a cheer you’ve heard over the years. When you think of a cheerleader, who do you think of? One of Isaiah’s favorite programs is The Goldberg’s, which has a mom who can only be described as The Cheerleader for her children. Right or wrong, she is strong in their court and I think that is why she is every young man’s dream mom. Me, not so. I’m more for do what’s right, do it right and do it when I tell you to do it.

But I heard Pastor Cathy Mazza say recently that at home, she is trying not to be so critical to her kids, not reminding her kids what they need to do or didn’t do, but she is learning to be their cheerleader.

What a sweet concept! A cheerleader!  I’d love to be that kind of person to not only my husband, children and grandchildren but to the world in general. Maybe that’s what the world needs now, although the song What the World Needs Now is Love is pretty relevant, what we all really need is a cheerleader; a journeymate who can inspire us to keep pressing on. Wouldn’t that be great? Come on, now, let’s hear it for the home team, your home team of people in your family that you love. Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah, let’s hear it for our kids, friends and loved ones!

Cheering involves the uttering or making of sounds and may be used to encourage, excite to action, indicate approval, or welcome says Wikipedia. The term “sis boom bah*” is a term popular in U.S. high school and college cheers. It was used by Johnny Carson's character Carnac the Magnificent.

I think perhaps Jesus could be called the Ultimate Cheerleader.  In the prayer titled, “Jesus Prays for All Believers” He prays something we can pray, that all who believe through His prayers and testimony may be one, so that the world around us can see that God sent Him. That we will walk in unity and that people will know that they are loved. And how about when he encouraged Peter to get out of that boat and actually walk on water?

 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

He cheers us on through prayer and that is something we all can attain to do.  We pray each day that we can encourage, that we can love, and that we can press on in a world that is often conflicted. We can pray for those who are hurting, those who need healing and those who feel alone, sometimes through their own isolation.

Paul was a great cheerleader, also, in fact the whole first chapter of Ephesians cheers us on.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

 

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

 

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1

Paul also was so sweet in writing to Philemon saying, “Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.” If that doesn’t cheer someone on or cheer someone up, I can’t imagine what would.

The Psalms are full of cheers:

“I love you, God—

    you make me strong.

God is bedrock under my feet,

    the castle in which I live,

    my rescuing knight.

My God—the high crag

    where I run for dear life,

    hiding behind the boulders,

    safe in the granite hideout.

I sing to God, the Praise-Lofty,

    and find myself safe and saved.” (from Psalms 18 The Message)

So I encourage you to join me in becoming a cheerleader, cheer people in your life on, look up verses and cling to them. Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah, it will do your own heart good! You may find the encouragement you gave away to someone made their day. I guarantee that you will be cheered up also.

Shouting it from the Rooftops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-gLdIO5G-Q

*https://www.thoughtco.com/cheerleading-quotes-588573

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheering

*sis-boom-bah

cheerleading chant, originally (1867) an echoic phrase imitating the sound of a skyrocket flight ( sis), the burst of the fireworks ( boom), and the reaction of the crowd ( (b)ah).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

The Beautiful Gate of Prayer and a Helping Hand Acts 3:1-7 or I Get by With a Little Help of my Friends

The Beautiful Gate of Prayer and a Helping Hand Acts 3:1-7

This is one of my favorite scriptures and stories. I like this verse best and have felt it can apply to so many things in our lives.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

One thought is, I can't help you with money but what I can do is pray for you. You don't have to be down on the ground, you have support and help in the name of Jesus and your prayer partners. Get up! Get going! You are blessed! You have more and You are more than someone who is sitting crippled with afflictions and pain. 

“Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.”

When we take the hand of a hurting mother, father, son or daughter we help them up and towards their true calling of life and health and love. We can't do it for them but we can give them a helping hand up. Point them to resources. Tell them they can do it. We don't enable by doing it all for them; we encourage them that they will find the answers and help they need at the time of their greatest need.

Praying for families today to be strengthened in the Holy Spirit and to be provided for in every way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TOOXRpn8w

Here is the story in the Message version.

 Acts 3:1-7

One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.  The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.

 The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves.

 

 A blast from the past:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCrlyX6XbTU

Praying for Families today

It’s Monday and we pray for families today; strong families, intact families, dysfunctional families, happy and sad families today. Even hot mess families. You’ve got to fit into one of those categories, and guess what? The Lord loves you all with an everlasting love.

I would love to live with no regrets, show me how to do this Lord. Show me how to let go and let You do the impossible with people in my life. Nothing is impossible with You. Each one praying can insert the name of the loved one or situation and say Lord, __________ is not impossible with You. You are the God of Possibilities, OUR GREAT HOPE AND HELP!

You may be a mother with a family member that you don't think will ever get out of the pit they are in. Don't give up. Find a verse and cling to it. All your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of your children. Praying every day, in every way for you:)

Fix us, Jesus, please and let us live to ever serve You. Put our families on a path that You can bless and humble the hardhearted in Jesus name we pray. Let’s not only worship today, but praise Him with the dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RjNcOqwpRk&list=PL7E3299D433960258&index=67/3

Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/
 

Praying today and every day for you

Good Morning Family,

 I'm dedicating Saturdays to prayers for those who have lost loved ones to death. Many among us have lost loved ones, mates, parents, children and young adult children. The most unnatural thing in the world they say is burying your child. Lord, send your strong father arms of comfort to those who are grieving. And for those grieving the death of a dream, we pray also.

 We are reminded that there will be a day, don't miss this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtud5pvF08A

 Max Lucado says in Grace for the Moment:

In the Arms of God

We don’t like to say good-bye to those whom we love. Whether it be at school or at the cemetery, separation is tough. It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here; they have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don’t. They understand. They are, at this moment, at peace in the presence of God……When it is cold on earth we can take comfort in knowing that our loved ones are in the warm arms of God. And when Christ comes, we will hold them too.

Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die New Living Translation

 

(©2007).https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/

 

 

He's an On-Time God!

I believe He is still an “On-time God” even when the way looks hard and barren and hope seems far away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y

“No prayer is lost. Praying breath was never spent in vain. There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things that we count refusals or denials are simply delays.”--H. Bonar

 On Mondays we pray for our families and extended family. Some of us are in times of transition and questioning why our loved ones go through what they are going through. Some need help for grief, some need provision and jobs. There are times and seasons for all things and our seasons are in the hands of the Lord. We pray especially for those in authority and for those grieving for lost loved ones. Lord, send wisdom, protection and help.

The Morning Prayer comes from Cecil Murphey: “Ever-wise and ever-loving God, thank You for not letting me choose the season. If I had my choice, I’d learn only the easy lessons. Remind me that there are difficult and painful things I need for my growth. You know what I need long before I figure it out. You choose so that I’ll become more Christlike and loving. Amen.” Cecil Murphey

“I wonder if that's the secret of changing people. If we focus on being who we are and refuse to let another's attitude upset us, we might actually change them.” Cecil Murphey

Ending with a quote to knock your socks off: “Loving God show me the truth about myself, no matter how wonderful it may be.” Cecil Murphey

Another version of The Chain Breaker video; don't miss it!

Good morning People! It's Thursday and a great day for recovery in the state of Florida. Go to a meeting, spread some love and hope and work your program! Make a gratitude list and truly think about what you are writing down and what you have to be grateful for, we ask for grace today as we pray for those in recovery and their families.

This is one of my favorite parts in the book, “From Survival to Recovery”:

If we willingly surrender ourselves to the spiritual discipline of the Twelve Steps, our lives will be transformed. We will become mature, responsible individuals with a great capacity for joy, fulfillment, and wonder. Though we may never be perfect, continued spiritual progress will reveal to us our enormous potential. We will discover that we are both worthy of love and loving. We will love others without losing ourselves, and will learn to accept love in return. Our sight, once clouded and confused, will clear and we will be able to perceive reality and recognize truth. Courage and fellowship will replace fear. We will be able to risk failure to develop new, hidden talents.

 Our lives, no matter how battered and degraded, will yield hope to share with others. We will begin to feel and will come to know the vastness of our emotions, but we will not be slaves to them. Our secrets will no longer bind us in shame. As we gain the ability to forgive ourselves, and our families and the world, our choices will expand.

With dignity we will stand for ourselves, but not against our fellows. Serenity and peace will have meaning for us, as we allow our lives and the lives of those we love to flow day by day with God’s ease, balance and grace. No longer terrified, we will discover we are free to delight in life’s paradox, mystery, and awe. We will laugh more. Fear will be replaced by faith, and gratitude will come naturally as we realize that our Higher Power is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. (From Survival to Recovery)

This video: Oh my Lord!  don't miss it; another version of The Chain Breaker. I'm posting separate and with prayer post so those who need it will see it. Many moms will relate to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_xxmXdQz4

Who's your Sanctuary?

SANCTUARY is the word on my heart. He is our sanctuary but isn’t it good when we have that with a loved one, a friend, a family member. Right now there is so much chaos surrounding some of our homes, a sanctuary seems distant. That’s not as it should be. May the Lord have mercy and make us a sanctuary to someone and give us a journeymate to be that to us we pray. Jesus You are my SANCTUARY!

Picture the Lord singing this over you today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIUfBkxeLQ8

Praying for all who need healing in any way today. We ask for a healing touch from Your hand and relief from pain, infections and diseases. I have some special loved ones on my heart today. Lord I can’t fix them but You can.

 Praying for good results from tests for those in the hospital and that the doctors will have the wisdom of God as they work along with You, Jesus, to bring about healing. I'm adding prayers for single mothers and fathers. Lord please provide for their needs and wrap Your big Father arms around them and their children.