thegladgame: Recent Episodes
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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 TobyMac’s latest album is titled, Life After Death. There is a unique story behind that title and even more meaning interwoven in each song. If you aren’t familiar with the pain, the journey and the inspiration behind a title like […]
We do not all have earthly fathers who are inclined to fix broken things, but each one of us has a heavenly Father who is willing to repair and restore what we cannot. In fact, Psalm 147:3 describes our good Father like this: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (NIV). Alicia Bruxvoor […]
The Love and Respect organization would probably be considered the polar opposite of an Aaron Lewis playlist, but these two sort of meet in the middle with the song, Vicious Circles. Back in 2004, when I first read the book, Love and Respect, the very first chapter explains how husbands desire respect and wives desire […]
Retweets ≠ Endorsements*
During the mid to late 80’s, my brother and I could be found playing Super Mario Brothers after school. I was a jerk and always tried to be Mario.
Poor Luigi and to all younger siblings of the world.
DJ Jeremy dropping the beat at a school dance. A silver boombox sat nearby holding a cassette tape of The Beastie Boys. It did not provide wholesome listening, but we were young, pushing the limits and beginning to discover a world outside of Bibb County, Alabama. We had no idea who the singers were or what they stood for, and no idea what they were saying.
Another cassette that was played until the ribbon broke (kids today have no idea) was by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. For some strange reason, we loved the song “Nightmare on My Street.”
Maybe it was because over the years we experienced a lot nightmares on different streets and a fun song helped us cope.
The on-going psychology behind music memory studies is fascinating. Clearly, I live with a strong association to music and movies. As we age and our memory weakens, I can hear a song and remember a moment from 30 years ago, but I can’t remember if I took my blood pressure medicine this morning. I can watch a movie and suddenly remember what I ate the last time I watched it.
I write in the same way because I’m able to recall or better explain life from my viewpoint by using musical references and making movie comparisons.
So, I hear “Nightmare on My Street” whenever I play any version of Super Mario Brothers.
It’s a reminder of my brother and even our surroundings at the time. I can see paneling walls, Chevy pickups, flower pots, a rotary phone, family turmoil, a wood burning stove, coon dogs, a flag pole, fields of crops being farmed, and coal mine dust.
Here is his “1 Up” t-shirt that I still have. It was often paired with his Nintendo beanie or a wide assortment of other graphic tees and hats.
Unfortunately, I don’t remember anything about this birthday dinner. He was turning 30 as indicated by the candles, but everything else that happened that night is blank.
Jeremy’s 30th Birthday with his nieces, 2007
“Sarcasm. Just One of my many talents.” Goose. Top Gun. No explanation needed. GI Joe Thundercats Thundercat armbands his friends made for the funeral. Thundercat armbands his friends made for the funeral.
The Fresh Prince
The music we played as kids brings to mind countless hours of watching The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire and lamenting about how parents just don’t understand.
I have always described my brother as the white version of Will Smith. No, he wasn’t as talented (or famous or rich) as the roles and characters portrayed by Smith, but Jeremy’s quick wit, sarcasm and mannerisms were often identical to the Will Smith we watched in tv sitcoms and in movies like Men in Black and Hitch.
I will always be a fan of Will Smith because he’s one of those actors we grew up with. I don’t follow his personal life nor do his taxes. I don’t know the names of his children or if he really does hate cockroaches. I know he’s not perfect because he definitely made a huge mistake with the movie, Hancock.
The irony of seeing Will Smith trending is not lost on me since today would have been my brother’s 45th birthday.
Maybe the memory association of my brother’s birthday with our own memories involving Will Smith is the reason why I’m not outraged by my Twitter feed this morning.
As days like this (my brother’s birthday) approach, I often wonder how I will feel or respond on the anniversary dates related to traumatic events. The therapy people call it the “anniversary effect.”
If I believed our loved ones who had passed on had any control over some the daily events we encounter, then Jeremy won the internet today.
He must have decided on his birthday that paired with the five year anniversary of his death required a mic-dropping distraction for his big sister, so she could laugh instead of cry.
Oh, did I laugh.* I also remembered the time Jeremy chased an ex-boyfriend through the Bessemer, AL., Walmart after finding out the guy had been physically abusive to me and busted my nose.
You really can’t make up this stuff.
So, Jeremy and I would have already been texting memes and gifs about last night’s Oscars as soon as it happened. Ul
He would be sending the ones with profanity and I would be trying to send the clean versions. Then, he would make fun of me for being a “goody two shoes” knowing I was laughing at the bad ones, too.
My brother has been gone for five years and I’m just now starting to comprehend and acknowledge what that loss has meant in my life, but that’s a long story for another day.
For March 28, 2022:
- People will make mistakes, live with regrets and have zero concept of the brevity of life. Love your people no matter what, but don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over. That gets old.
Jeremy, holding the small jar of Will Smith’s restraint. 2. We all have moments when we wish words could be erased or actions could be taken back after we act foolishly in the heat of a moment. Make sure Bradley Cooper is there to hug you.
mirror.uk 3. Good movies (and award shows) should always end with Denzel Washington as the hero and the voice of reason.
Who doesn’t love Denzel?
I don’t even want to know.
Today.com
Read the whole story: People.com I’m really sad the person who made this didn’t put a space between be and careful, but it was a good try and a nice photo. Also, I’m pretty sure I still heard Morgan Freeman’s voice when reading it. : )
Funny Closing
While researching a few Beastie Boys lyrics to make extra sure I wasn’t posting about anything unholy or illegal (and most of it was), I made an insane discovery:
People, I was today-years-old when I learned Brass Monkey was an alcoholic drink and not a metal statue.
Ignorance really is bliss.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will now look this way for just a moment…
*Disclosures
Never in my life did I think I would have to clarify what I meant when referencing someone’s name, a work of art, a performance, a written work, a social media post, etc. Hello…I am not their best friend, momma or Creator.
No, I do not condone every action made by any other human being, myself included. Please just let me write without doing a lifetime background check on every author, speaker, singer/songwriter, actor, actress or alien that I might mention.
Also, not all posts will correspond to a Bible verse or devotional life lesson. Sometimes a story is just a story. Unless you’re living like Jonah and you just don’t want to talk about those verses right now.
On that note, let’s also clarify that I should never be personally referenced as a source or example of a stereotypical Christian, a writer, a Southerner, a Proverbs 31 woman, a blogger, and especially not a representative for pale people. This blog is simply The Notebook for when my mind is no longer present to make these posts.
© Copyright The Glad Game Blog and Keysha Thomaston 2022
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What Is All Joy?
I do have a small spiritual reference.
It’s a sobering thought that our beloved Mario Brothers “1-Up” shirt represents a spiritual reminder that we only have one chance to earn an extra life…an eternal life when you never have to press reset again.
There are multiple players, constant challenges, battle strategies, and adaptations to adversity and enemy tactics. We must learn by acquired knowledge and wisdom and through trial and error, so we can navigate schemes of seen and unseen enemies.
Hello, greeting card section.
Once again, you don’t exactly have what I need. Have your creators checked statistics on society lately? It’s not all Sleepless in Seattle out here.
As for romantic movies and mixtapes, I stumbled across this song titled, “Family” by TobyMac.
This isn’t a song you normally hear at their concerts, but it really hits home this Valentine’s Day.
I am constantly learning more about God’s love and how it is so necessary in our earthly relationships.
One comment I heard this week is definitely something to ponder…
Yes, we are to love our neighbor (one another) and we all know that is one of the most commonly quoted Bible verses.
However, before we can try to love others, we must first read and practice the greatest commandment just prior that verse:
Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength.
Mark 12:30
Are we showing real love to others if we aren’t first loving the Lord? With our whole heart, soul and mind? Putting His will before our own?
The overflow of loving the Lord is very different than the overflow of loving the world. I’ve experienced both and I’ve felt the difference. There’s no comparison.
In an understated example, it could be compared to drinking Dr. Thunder, which is flat and warm on a 95 degree day, instead of drinking a Dr. Pepper over ice. In the shade. By a pool.
Let’s not cheat ourselves by ignoring God’s Word – the whole book – and never truly experiencing the original love He made for us to give and to receive…in our own families and in the family of God.
Made To Love
Lead Me
Love Song
Love
I heard someone say this about the pandemic, “I wish we had told people to physically distance instead of socially distance. Doesn’t that basically mean the same thing? Maybe not. The context of the comment was to point out the emotional and psychological damage of how isolated people have truly become. Christians, for every moment […]
November 8, 2021 – Montgomery, AL I never noticed who would open for TobyMac’s concert, The Theatre Tour. I just knew that I had front row seats for me and my two daughters to see one of our favorite bands. For almost two years this concert was postponed for several reasons, but it wasn’t until […]
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:7-8 (NIV) Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) by Shane and Shane
Do you want to see a little bit of light? I know his type of music isn’t for everyone, but isn’t it amazing how the Lord can bring forth worship and praise through innumerable artists of every genre? For thousands of years? All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to You, they […]
I’m going to a concert this weekend and I will hear a song with these lyrics… Made To Love Love. It’s like a photo that’s been filtered, cropped, shared, saved, filtered again, and then re-posted. You can hardly recognize it these days. Do we ever consider the original, authentic Love? Or do we prefer the […]
In this message you can learn cool facts from a pilot, hear a Michael Jordan story and a few football jokes, too. It is a really cool illustration about prayer and how God answers our prayers. Your desperate situation could be one prayer away from breakthrough.
School Days I work at a middle school with some of the best people I’ve ever known. Some are super funny, like our Theatre and Choir teacher, shown here in his 2021 Halloween costume which was a tribute to school lunch crispitos. We had a special guest speaker at our school today and I have […]
I’ve written about this song before, but a recent concert experience brought the lyrics back to mind from a different perspective. (And hooray for live music again!) The human definition: If you bring something to the table, you make a contribution or an offer in a discussion or negotiation. This first reminded me of a […]
A family received a phone call that their daughter had been killed in a car accident. A husband told his wife to leave and that their marriage was over. A friend received an unexpected diagnosis and you sat and grieved together. They were in the darkest place…they were in the midnight hour. When we are […]
If you’ve ever gone fishing, then you likely used a small fishing boat and possibly had to flip it over so it could be pushed out onto the water. Did you ever find anything unexpected as the boat turned over? Are you ready to hear something that I know will completely change you? It will […]
I started playing a recent Shane and Shane concert on Youtube, mainly for background music while cleaning house. A few minutes later, I had to sit down, grab my plush (okay, slightly weighted) blanket, some tissues and…laugh. Yes, laughter. The Shane that talks a lot is super funny. You have to watch it. Don’t get […]
When You Love Jesus But Hate Life What in the world?! How about that subtitle? I could replace half of my blog with this one book. If I could, I would post so many quotes from this author that it would probably be considered copyright infringement. It’s so perfect and he even has a sense […]
I often communicate with song lyrics and movie quotes. Where Words Fail, Music Speaks Hans Christian Anderson I love music. Movie scores are some of my favorites because often, the melody is so powerful it doesn’t even need words. Then, there are the songs that overwhelm, convict or encourage my soul. Or it can confirm […]
My dad was a coal miner. I grew up in a coal mining town in Bibb County, Alabama. There was a Main Street with houses lined up on each side. The gas station kept your tab in a notepad like you’d see in Mayberry. It sounds a place that would have picket fences and lawn […]
I heard Olivia Lane’s testimony while listening to The Message on XM radio this week. It reminded me of myself during my teen years and also in my late 20’s. It represents many other young women trying to find their way right now. Everyone’s spiritual path is different, even though I would love to convince […]
This song by Tenth Avenue North provides understanding, petitions of prayer, and unrelenting hope for spiritual and emotional weariness… Oh, and I miss concerts. 💔 🎵 Youtube: Worn – Tenth Avenue North Overcoming the Devil and His Lies – Pastor Steve Gaines Your Spiritual Battle and The Armor of God – Priscilla Shirer
Following up to the I Want To Say I’m Sorry post, here’s another song with a slightly different message from an artist I discovered back in December. I don’t know a lot about him, but the lyrics really resonated with me. It reminds me of my childhood and even some of my own children’s journey. […]
03.21.21 Back in 2015, I converted the back of my closet into a “prayer war room.” I had a Lauren Daigle’s How Can It Be album on repeat anytime I was in there. I’ve loved all of her music since that time, despite any negative press that surrounded her talk show circuit a few years […]
One of the hardest things we tend to face in society, in our relationships, or even with perfect strangers is our unwillingness to say, “I’m Sorry.” The reasons why we don’t are too many to count, but I find that most people eventually regret this tight-lipped practice when their stubborn will permanently kills all communication. […]
If you forget the way to go And lose where you came from If no one is standing beside you Be still and know I am The Fray* The phone rings at 4:00 a.m. A tearful voice describes the terror that has fallen upon them. Their sleep has been stolen over and over again… Your […]
Father’s Day and Mother’s Day can sometimes be uncomfortable “holidays” for me. I’ve often joked that there should be a dysfunctional family greeting card section. Hallmark is missing a broad market. Although there are many stories and songs surrounding the reasons why we need untraditional cards, I think it’s best just to share this devotion […]
A glimmer in the dust? Dusting is my least favorite chore. It reappears every day and is such a nuisance, but dust is ironically what inspired me today. So, what movie reference could possibly correlate to dust? Infinity War. The Marvel heroes watched in horror as their friends and family disappeared into dust. And for […]
There’s never been a passage of scripture that has stayed with me longer than this one. My earliest memory is around 1998 when I attended a conference based on Luke 8. Later in 2008-2009, I was encouraged to start a small group for 5th grade girls. I didn’t even know what I was doing at […]
We were a little delirious after helping sort and stamp close to 1,400 envelopes of report cards and letters. Field day was over and lockers were being emptied. The middle school students were silly and giggling and ready for this Covid year to be done. So was the staff. It was clearly the last week […]
This is not a true blog post. I just wanted to document photos of my Covid Arm. 😂 There are serious eye rolls happening right now from my people. I’m not here to stir up controversy or debate masks, although I could bend your ear over coffee (and laughs) with my take on the events […]
My grandfather passed away over the weekend. I lived with my grandparents off and on from age 5 to age 18. There are a lot of stories to tell, but this is how I will begin: Rev. Milton Simpson Memorial Service Video Funeral Service: May 11, 2021 History Reading for Funeral by Glenda Simpson: Milton […]
It’s not until we experience darkness that we realize how desperately we need the light. When we fail to respond to the light that is Christ and surrender to Him, our darkness increases. Apart from Him, our lives are void of peace, perspective and purpose. However, we need not fear the darkness because we can […]
A devotion by Traci Miles arrived to my inbox this morning, Overcoming the Pain of Loneliness. It’s a season most of us try to avoid, but everyone will eventually find themselves in this place. It’s no secret the last year has been one for the record books in feeling isolated and alone. I immediately knew […]
In the last few years, I’ve desperately prayed for some Jericho-type walls to crumble in certain areas of my life. The first time I heard the song, Jericho, I immediately loved it and added it to the top of my playlist. It’s not just the song, but the whole story about Joshua and the city […]
So you live from day to day And you dream about tomorrow And the hours go by like minutes And the shadows come to stay So you take a little something to make them go away And I could have done so many things, baby If I could only stop my mind From wondering what […]
If we were at a skating rink, then this might be a couples’ skate moment. I never really learned to roller skate and always dreaded birthday parties at the rink, so I ended up playing a lot of video games. By the end of the night though, I could usually make it around once…if I […]
I think there should be a language where we speak only in song lyrics or movie quotes. I could be the leader of that tribe. There was an Apple Music playlist on shuffle today. I intentionally chose one of their generic ones because it was more for background noise while I worked on something else. […]
“It may be midnight or mid day,never early, never lateHe’s gon’ stand by what he claims,I’ve lived enough left to say…help is on the way.” It’s rare that I am able to write and publish a post in the same day. I’m one of those people who will push around a Hobby Lobby shopping cart […]
The banks of a river or the shores of a sea are often the backdrop where desperate people find unexpected rescue from a threatening, watery grave. You can imagine the suspenseful music as every strained muscle of their arms and legs fight through the water, until the triumphant grasp of their hand touches grass, a […]
I love TobyMac and the Diverse City Band. Sometimes, I feel like I am the only person (besides my daughters) in my little corner of the world who even know who they are. ☺️ TobyMac Rocks!!! This group by Toby McKeehan (formerly of DC Talk) and Third Day were some of the first Christian CDs […]
Listen Here Oh, I have days I lose the fightTry my best but just don’t get it rightWell I talk a talk that I don’t walkAnd miss the moments right before my eyesSomebody with a hurt that I could have helpedSomebody with a hand that I could have heldWhen I just can’t see past myselfOh […]
Listen Here If only you knewThe sunlight shines a little brighterThe weight of the world’s a little lighterThe stars lean in a little closerAll because of you want to see You lift your chin a little higherOpen your eyes a little widerSpeak your mind a little louder‘Cause you are royalty This is your kingdomThis is […]
I was making a playlist for a weekend beach getaway and I found a song that was so “me.” ❤️ For whatever reason, I speak in the language of song lyrics and movie quotes. It’s kind of crazy the number of playlists I have saved for various events, milestones, trips and even for people. This […]
The Glad Game It served a purpose. It went further than I could have ever imagined as it was originally intended to only encourage about fifteen young women. This wanna-be blog evolved into a place to share life stories, encourage strangers and reveal raw, personal growth…with the dream of becoming a book somewhere down the […]
Sometimes it’s hard for me to imagine how God already knows what the future holds…even the bad things. As I think about it, God already knew during the 33 years of watching Jesus in human life that a day would come when the sin of the world would cause Him unimaginable suffering. God the Father […]
I referenced the Elijah-in-a-cave story after work today. It’s okay if you don’t know that story…I have a lengthy post about it. ☺️ A friend and I lingered in the parking lot talking about how it feels to be stuck in a pit…or in the back of a cave. I got into my car where […]
It’s no surprise to anyone when I say that I have a lot of words. I just cannot tell a short story. This chart popped up on Facebook last week and it was as if someone created it for me! You see that water gushing from the pipe? Yep, that’s me. Along with every. single. […]
Has anything or anyone ever been missing in your life? A parent? A child? A best friend? A spouse? A job? A purpose? Maybe you’re physically surrounded by people, but they are emotionally or spiritually distant. Maybe you had (or have) a family, but you went through the motions and it was never what God […]
I thought this quarantine would be the time I needed to edit hundreds of posts, write about life, lessons and Jesus, but that has not happened. In fact, I am not even sure where the time has gone. I’ve worked and made a few trips to the office. I got a couple of big projects […]
What a powerful verse. Just think…our days were ordained by the Creator of the universe. We have been given a specific place in this time of history. So, let’s think about the time in between right now and that last ordained breath. Not in a scary or morbid way, but in a determined mindset about […]
Turn! Turn! Turn! It’s hard not to hear this song in your mind when writing about these verses from Ecclesiastes. The song became an international hit in late 1965 when it was adapted by the American folk rock group the Byrds. The single entered the U.S. chart at number 80 on October 23, 1965, before […]
For almost two years (and even longer when I look at my bible notes) I have been walking in a theme of: Plowing up fallow ground Water, rain, broken cisterns Sowing Roots Abiding in the vine Bearing fruit Seasons of life The Harvest And a notebook full of similar references, all related to a garden, […]
I found my first starfish last week. Note: In writing this post, I discovered that it’s not scientifically accurate to call them starfish. The correct name is sea star. This is cutely ironic, because that is what my two daughters call each other instead of sister. They pronounce it sees-tar. However, I will use the […]
I subscribe to newsletters from Well-Watered Women. The company name first caught my eye because I’ve had a theme going with water and wells (and sowing). I began to read their monthly emails which included a list of everyone’s favorite worship songs. 🎶💗 Eventually, I also purchased one of the bible studies. Note: This isn’t […]
In 1993, I planned to go into journalism and weather. My first college major was Journalism and Broadcasting. I took classes and worked on a locally-aired segment, Birmingham’s Best Kept Secrets, (or something like that) through Jefferson State Community College. The show itself was really like a secret because it had maybe 80 viewers, but […]
I am old enough to remember Christmas cards that you wrote by hand. There was a real signature and maybe even a short message, likely written in cursive, which anyone under 20 can no longer read. Pretend this is my super-long, rambling-with-love note that would have been penned inside your 1983 mail delivery. This is […]
The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear And I don’t know the reason why You brought me here But just because You love me the way that You do I’m gonna walk through the valley if You want me to ‘Cause I’m not who I was when I took my first step And […]
Everyone has experienced that anxious flutter on a Sunday afternoon when a new week has arrived. However, I was still amused at the abundance and variety of memes and articles on this topic. Now, a small dose of lamenting is normal from time to time, but I was reminded of something today that may help […]
Lost. She did not know which way to go. The directions were for Tennessee, but she ended up in Arkansas. Turning around, she finally saw signs for Memphis. There were still more wrong turns that led to a dead end by the river. So, she parked her car and began to walk. Lost. She went […]
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25 I had two VIP tickets to For King & Country last night, but I couldn’t find anyone to go with me. All plans with family and friends […]
Do you feel the world is broken? Do you feel the shadows deepen? But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? 🎶 The world may appear bleak at times, but I’m here to remind you (and me) that there is more light available to us than the darkness […]
I recently bought a bracelet like this from Redeemed Jewelry. I’m so forgetful these days that wearing scripture, or something that reminds me of a promise, is like having a note safety-pinned to my shirt as I come home from school. This one is based on a passage from Habakkuk 3: Though the fig tree […]
I know this road is gettin’ hard I heard you say it’s overwhelming I said I’d never be too far And I meant that from the heart I found these song lyrics today while making my new Tobymac playlist on Youtube. Yes, I can play At Calvary on the piano from a hymnal and also […]
The forecast called for snow in the South, but all we saw that morning was a little rain through our own salty tears. Salty, in more ways than one. In the South, where there are no snow plows (because there is no snow), the chance to see it once or twice a year brings with […]
If you love someone, then you want to spend time with them. You long to hear their voice. By looking at how much time I spend with Jesus…how much do I love Him? ▫️ Leaving Ordinary in 2019. Boarding now. Introduction: ✈️ Video Playlist:
10.08.18 It’s October. Lovers of pumpkin spice, college football and Halloween are mostly who I see on social media and television. Unfortunately, if you’re in the south, neighborhood pools are still open and families posing for pumpkin patch photos have on sunblock and tank tops. (My youngest daughter) Even if it’s like our second summer, […]
I wonder who first came up with the intricately folded note that would not open until you untucked the corners of the paper? Although not at all secure, we trusted the hands that passed it along. The note was normally intended for one person…your best friend or someone who you loved. ❤️ Early this morning, […]
My weekend was a little like this: I try to listen to several pastors on a weekly basis: Dr. Adrian Rogers, who is in heaven, but his messages and ministry live on through Love Worth Finding (lwf.org). Dr. Steve Gaines, who is in Memphis, TN pastoring Bellevue Baptist Church. I came under his teaching after […]
Over the last few months I had to tell Netflix, “I think we need some space.” There were days and weekends where I would watch an entire season (not just a few episodes) of Hawaii Five-0. 🌋🚔🏄🏽♀️🍿🏝 We’re still friends (me & Netflix), but I realized it was just taking too much time away from […]
Back in 2003, I read and studied the book Kingdom Authority (Adrian Rogers) with someone who means more to me than the word “friend” can even describe. I truly discovered the Lord, with her by my side, and so she will always have a special place in my heart and in my walk with Christ. […]
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the […]
The skies were dark. It was a great afternoon for a Sunday nap. Instead, some precious teenage girls were dropped off at my house for a small group we called Chosen Girls (John 15:16). July 2012 We studied how His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Jesus is […]
It’s nearing the end of August, so obviously I am thinking about Christmas movies. Okay, okay…I might decorate at the beginning of November, but that’s only to stretch out the celebration of the birth of Christ. And shouldn’t we really do that all year? I saw a verse today which reminded me of a particular […]
Sent away from her people by the father of her child, she was out of water and facing certain death as she and her son wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down […]
It’s back to school week in my community and for my 11th grader. This brought forth a memory last week. Here’s what I’ve put together so far. ▫️ The year was probably 1987 or 1988. As a 12-year-old, I entered high school in the 7th grade and I turned 13 in February. I’m in a […]
I was writing The Breakup Song post when I found a video of another song by Francesca Battistelli that I’d never heard. This was very strange because I have all of her music, but then I discovered it was in a movie soundtrack only. I did not read or see The Shack. However, I’ve pondered […]
Being glad doesn’t always come naturally for me. In fact, I created my Instagram page with the same name (@thegladgame) for the intent of forcing myself to post positive things…during a time of great darkness. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our […]
I have never eaten an olive. It’s something called “selective eating disorder,” or to most people, a picky eater. Ketchup only for burgers and hot dogs. Peanut butter, no jelly. Ham and bread. No cheese or condiments. Cheese or pepperoni pizza. And all the moms with picky kids are wondering how a grown woman can […]
If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, “My foot has slipped,” Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. (Psalm 94:17-19) I just wanted to wear ankle […]
Today, Lysa TerKeurst announced the title of her new book. It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way But it was what she said about the cover that made me nearly spit out my sugar-free, zero-calorie water. “No, you’re not seeing an optical illusion. The cover is upside down.” Did she say, “Upside Down?” Really? Come […]
07.14.18 “Have you ever been sailing? Imagine yourself looking out at the vast sea. You reach down and put your hand in the water and scoop it up before you. Immediately, the water starts leaking through your fingers until the hand is empty. That water is a man’s life. From birth to death, it is […]
When I first saw this song title, I wondered what in the world one my favorite artists was singing about. About two lines in, then it all made sense. I immediately made a playlist titled, No Fear (throwback to anyone who remembers that), and this was the first song added. Even better, I found the […]
I have laughed and laughed at the idea of this post, but my husband very sternly reminded me a few weeks ago that it isn’t something to joke about.
God never ceases to amaze me. ▫️ Psalm 40:5 says it a little better, like this: O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the […]
I’m currently working through the Seamless Bible Study and let me say this… I love God’s Word. And, now I also love Angie Smith. I love her sense of humor and writing style – and her love for God’s Word. She’s plowing through biblical facts and the coolest revelations, but throws in these blunt, we-were-all-thinking-it […]
Some weeks you just hear the same message over and over again. This week, it was…Jesus is coming soon. Like, in the words of 1996 Crystal Lewis: People get ready, Jesus is coming, soon we’ll be going home. ⬆️ “Keysha, come on, people have been saying this for 2,000 years.” Yes! Wow, and just think […]
Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8 ▫️ I was extremely blessed to visit Nashville earlier this week. I was there for a couple of reasons, and the first was to see Third Day’s Farewell Concert at the Ryman Auditorium. I love this band. […]
It’s Father’s Day. 2:00 a.m. I’ve been trying to write this (in my mind) for a week. Based on recent personal events, I would ask, “Where is your heart today?” seeking to mend a broken relationship with a father? maybe you’re facing the first year without your dad? or you’ve been blessed by having a […]
I heard a message this week that said, “You have to accept all of Jesus, and not just the parts that fit conveniently into your lifestyle.” This message, which hopefully develops into a completed blog post about the Passover lamb, went into detail about how the Israelites had to consume the entire lamb they roasted […]
(Edited after teenager left camp waiver form at home and mom learned a lesson, too.) 8:00 am Well. Sigh. After 30-40 minutes of writing and praying for this trip early this morning, I start receiving frantic messages and missed calls. I am walking out the door anyway, when I look over and see the camp […]
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely. He sees and knows all the way you have trod; Never alone are the least of His children; Have faith in God, have faith in God. Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered, Your earnest plea He will never forget; Wait on the lord, […]
This started out as a video idea after my husband said he needed to sing one of his “soldier songs” during a local open mic night. As Clique sang, my mind played images of my Marine brother-in-law and the losses he faced over the last several years. It also reminded me how he and Clique […]
A lot of cool things happened this week. Unfortunately, those did not come without some time in the valley, while maybe a few buzzards circled overhead. As I reflect on the week, from last Friday to this Friday, I would not trade any of the tears, hurt or fear for the peace and insight I […]
This blog post was forming in my mind as I was vacuuming Sunday afternoon, but the thought cup filled up and began to spill over. I had to stop and get my laptop because I am lucky if I remember things like… P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. Seriously. One of the first lines was […]
5/20/18 I was born Keysha LaNaye Simpson. It was misspelled all through high school (in the lunchroom) as Kesha, before that other girl (the famous one) was even born. It has never been on a keychain. It was never on a Coke bottle, and they had some weird ones. Even the Christian bookstore, with those […]
Someone once reminded me of that often-quoted verse, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” My somewhat jokingly reply was, “He fearfully and wonderfully made me a size 6. Or an 8.” That was not my current size, nor is it now. All the factors and reasons why aren’t worth mentioning, other than I have been […]
Remember when you had to bring a current event to school, so you turned to a newspaper or magazine, and completed your assignment with a pair of scissors? I tried to have a conversation about current events in my home tonight, but the mood was soured when one sister didn’t do something the way the […]
Over the years, I have often looked for greeting cards to fit a Jerry-Springer-worthy family line, but was at a loss to find anything that didn’t sound generic or fake. 😂 Some of you grew up with Leave It To Beaver households…and I was envious of you. There isn’t a sitcom or movie I can […]
I don’t “watch” Youtube. At least, I didn’t. Lol When needed, I would search for instructional videos, maybe fainting goats, or just upload my own videos to share with family and friends. Today, I pulled up Youtube on my bedroom tv (only to force myself not to watch Hawaii Five-O on Netflix). I picked a […]
I know a few people waiting for a miracle. Down to the wire, at the end of the rope, there is nothing left in their human strength… But hope. It was never the last option, but had always been the first, yet it got a little harder, each time they heard the worst. Hope leads […]
Joy. It has taken me 43 years to realize the difference between joy and happiness. Even though I started this blog with a post about joy and sadness…even then, I still didn’t know. Happiness depends on our circumstances (happenstance) and those can vary by the minute. Joy is something we experience only when abiding in […]
This post was inspired by one of the most heartfelt sermons I’ve ever heard. Many comments and points from John 4 are credited to Pastor Kenneth Bruce.
It followed roughly 3-4 weeks of events and notes that all involved the Bible..and verses and references about water.
Every week, a close friend and co-worker of mine sponsor a girls’ Bible study before school. This club has existed for five years. For the first time this school year, we had a guest speaker this past Thursday. Her name is Shai.
Shai was part of my home, small group the last two years, she serves in the student ministry at our church, and basically encourages people wherever she goes. The first time I met her was on the drink aisle at Publix, and she offered to pray for me (Assistance on Aisle 7 blog post).
She has a radiant smile, a testimony that could only be written and redeemed by Christ, and out of the blue she asked me if she could speak to our group. We did not talk about her topic ahead of time, so when she came in and started sharing about types of water, cisterns and verses from Jeremiah and John…I was amazed – and pumped!
I had been working on a blog post titled, The Lake, since March 10, and just wasn’t able to bring my thoughts together. In that post (not yet published), I include commentary about the different ways water is symbolic in the Bible.
After Journey Club ended, I couldn’t wait to tell Shai how cool the confirmation was that she spoke about water. She said it was what they had studied the night before in Centric, the study ministry she attends on Wednesday nights.
What’s even better is that Shai asked me on Tuesday if she could speak at Journey – before she ever heard that message on Wednesday.
Three days later, our pastor spoke from John, chapter 4, on the woman at the well.
This is a very recognizable story if you’ve spent any time in church, but because the Bible is living and active, God can always let you hear it in a way you’ve never heard before.
Honestly, I could have been the woman at the well. If Jesus had walked through McCalla when I was around 26-27 years old, He could have approached me and said,
“Go get your husband.”
Me: “I don’t have a husband.”
Jesus: “You have answered correctly, for you have had many relationships (only one marriage), and the one you have now is not your husband.”
Yes, I started dating someone even before my divorce was final. It is one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever done and I hate to admit it. It was the typical rebound, distraction relationship from someone who said all the right things after my first husband left. Until the day that guy told me to “turn off that crap,” while I was listening to Chris Tomlin.
Divorced. Bitter. Abandoned. Blaming it all on God because He let it happen. Or, so I thought.
That statement about Chris Tomlin literally changed the way I saw that person. It was as if his appearance even changed. I swear if Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, this guy had been disguised as one as well. We broke up.
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
I was so shocked and ashamed that I was so easily deceived by just a little worldly attention and flattery.
I wonder if I would have marveled, as I sat across Jesus, at what He knew about me, as he did to the Samaritan woman did.
Why Was She Significant?
Samaritans were half-Jew and half-Gentile, so the Jews “had no dealings with them.”
My Bible notes this:
Jews would travel around Samaria, instead of going through it, when traveling between Judea and Galilee.
Our pastor reminded us in that sermon that THIS was why the story of the Good Samaritan was also ironic and meaningful.
These two groups, Jews and Samaritans, couldn’t stand each another.
Men, specifically teachers, did not speak to women in public, much less a Jewish man talking to a Samaritan woman.
Living Water
Jesus intentionally took a route through Samaria when that normally wasn’t done.
Here’s the part of the story that had previously been separate events in my mind.
(This is why it really is important to read more than one Bible verse at a time. Even though I am a fan of the so-called “white-girl-Bible-verse instagram” photos. )
The disciples return, confused about food and how Jesus should eat something. The Samaritan woman has rushed back to her village to them what has happened.
She went to tell them all about this man offering living water at the well, and who also told her everything she had ever done.
As some of the townspeople returned to the well, with the woman, to see this prophet she described, Jesus said to His disciples, “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
He was talking about the Samaritans, the people they normally avoid. The Bible says that many came to believe in Him, and they asked Him to stay, and for two days, more and more people came to know Jesus.
Yes, we know He meant people when he said the “harvest was plentiful,” but to place it here, in Samaria, with these people – it just means so much more.
He was the living water that immediately ripened the harvest.
Who do we see that may be different from us, people to avoid, social lines drawn, that we don’t cross?
I think we all have a certain field, a special harvest, that God will bring into our view.
The question is, do we go sit down at the well, or do we walk around them?
After church that day, my daughter and husband wanted hibachi for lunch, not the Mexican we always get. Always.
We end up at the local Japanese restaurant, Mizu. I make a comment about why they had roses on their napkins and my daughter looks up the meaning. I still don’t know why they have roses on their napkins, but:
She says, “Mizu means water. It’s like you came to the well.”
That might be corny to you, but that was amazing for me.
I cannot describe all the water references here…maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe it was just for me, and the few with me, when they all happened. Maybe I haven’t figured it all out yet. Maybe multiple blog posts will surface.
However, five weeks after I started journaling about all of it, I came across this devotion yesterday.
It’s, uh…completely awesome.
It totally made me view the waves that crash over me (and I use that reference a lot to describe how I feel) and oddly enough, I have a lot of dreams about water. Most have been related to sudden flooding, and waves – large, ominous ones, that take your breath away before you wake up. I googled possible meanings. I know, I have issues.
Read the whole article below, but this was one of my favorite parts:
We all agree that we ought to persevere through trials, but how? How do we fight for faith?
A big help to walking with God in my trials has come from a quote often attributed to Charles Spurgeon: “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” What does it mean to “kiss the wave”?
When I am suffering it feels impossible to keep my head above the water, much less kiss the wave.
My tendency is to hate the wave and to run away from God. I am tempted to reject God or be angry with him, not embrace him during my trial.
Spurgeon’s advice is key to suffering well.
Our trials are God’s means of drawing us to himself, the Rock of Ages.
The wave is a vehicle transporting us to the very doorstep of God Almighty.
It is not flippant advice from the prince of preachers. He is not pretending that suffering is easy and we should simply try harder to persevere. Spurgeon is not saying pain, trials, and death are good things.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/let-waves-of-suffering-carry-you-to-him
Hmmm…kiss the wave.
Welcome those trial and tribulations in like “an old friend.” Let it have a seat on the couch, until its reason for knocking on your door has been accomplished. To push it away or lock it out…well, that might prolong the lesson, and the growth.
First, my favorite artist:
So let the waters rise
I will stand as the oceans roar
Let the earth shake beneath me
Let the mountains fall
You are God over the storm
And I am Yours
You are God over the storm
And I am Yours
Songwriters: James Andrew Thiele / Lauren Ashley Daigle / Paul Duncan / Paul Mabry
I Am Yours lyrics © Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group
Of course I’m including this song:
Lord, please move me to the beach because I think I will see more clearly there…at the water.
And this one…