Look To Jesus, Always

It's been a Beautiful Day! Thank You, Jesus! Oh, What A Day!

Worship the Lord in the fullness of holiness.  It's truly is a beautiful Lord's Day! Father God, Creator of us all. I'm witnessing the beauty of the sun shining and listening to the birds singing. 

I had the honor to met the speaker Mr. William Paul Young in the Upper Room this morning. I didn't realize who he was until I got out in the foyer. Mr. Young and Pastor Brian did a wonderful.

Prayer for the week of April 29, 2018.
Scripture for the week: John 15:1-8

The Message:
Lies We Believe About God:
A Conversation with Wm. Paul Young and Brian Zahnd.

You are in a relationship with a God who has never been alone.”  William Paul Young

Belief is an activity not a category.”  William Paul Young


Hebrews 3:1-2
So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. ~ 

Words of Encourage:
Everything is going to be alright. Don't you worry. Trust God

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Cemetery #52Ancestors 52 Weeks Robert and Charlotta (DADE) Lankfard's Tombstone

During the 1990's, I was walking around Ashland cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri. I was searching for my ancestors. I'm thankful that I came across some of my relatives resting place. Also, I was glad I had a camera with me.

As I looked at this tombstone above, what strike me was the spelling of the surname of LANKFARD! Wow! I was taught that the family surname was LANKFORD. There have been times that isn't was spelled LANGORD. It's a mystery about the original spelling.

Through the years, my Great Grandparents' tombstone has skunked into the ground. It's looks like it's in a hole. I've searched for other markers. Some I can't locate. It's sad.

I'm thankful that I captured some of the places where some of my relatives were buried. I can only image how back in the days. When generations after generations came to visit the place of our loved ones' resting place.

May we keep the memories of our relatives alive in our hearts.
May we take notes of our family history and pass it down for future generations.
May the LORD rise up family members to keep the family connections going.
Amen!

Family Connections Note:
Robert Louis and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD were once the in laws of Hattie McDaniel. Hattie was also known as Mrs.  Nymadula "Nym"  LANKFORD.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

The Kingdom of God: The Earth

This is my Father's world, O let me not forget.  Happy Earth Day! Did anyone hug a tree, today. I did.

It was a beautiful Lords' day! I enjoyed myself. I did some things not on my daily dos.  I stepped out of my comfort zone. I didn't think to hug a tree today. But, I did. It was Earth Day!

I chatted with people and listened on to others who were having some conversations. There were two man talking about politics and protection yourself from crime. They were deep.

The Sunday Gathering. 10 AM cst
It's nice to see people week after week. There are people I see every now and than. We only have one Sunday gathering.  We can easily miss one another.

The Message
Earth Day message by Brian Zahnd "Soil With A Soul" Series: A Life That We Can Live

“Those who call Genesis scripture should understand that to wisely steward creation is our first vocation That vocation has never been rescinded.”  Brian Zahnd

Holy Communion:
We are connected to the bread and wine through Jesus. The bread and wine came from the earth just as humanity was breathe into being from the dust of the ground.

Prayer for the week: "O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."  The Book Of Common Prayer

Scripture for the week of April 22, 2018
 John 10:11-18

Hope you will enjoy the last full week of April.
It's been weird weather most of the month.
Spring is springing back.
Enjoy!

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley  

Storms #52Ancestors 52 Weeks

I couldn't find any storms on my family connections that I could write about. I can't think of anyone with a name with "storm" in nature. I was brainstorming on this topic.  What storms?

We all have storms during our journey throughout life. Our ancestors had struggles and hardship that they faced. And so do we in our daily life. Storms come and go. They can blow us away.  We have to be strong when the strong winds blows our way. When we fall, we have to get back up and do the best that we can.

I believe that my ancestors believe in God. I've read some of my ancestors stories. I imaged how the could have lived. They had to have some belief system. What they were taught to keep on going. They had hope for something.

Yes, we have to believe in someone. Praying that God to see us through. Life comes with all kinds of surprises. We need a strong foundation to stand on. That's the hope that keeps us going in life .

May the LORD help us face our storms of life.
Amen.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

A Beautiful Snowy Lord's Day

Happy 3rd Sunday of Easter! We're half way through April! The weather won't make up her mind. I think, we have had all Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall this month. Last week was for all seasons.
We had snow last Sunday. And by Wednesday it was 79 degrees,  Thursday, it got up to 82 degrees. Though, it got up to about 83 on Friday, the storms came. Then, it started snowing on Saturday evening. And snow continued on Sunday. It looked weird with the green grass.

The Gathering: 
It was a beautiful Lord's day. The snow didn't stop us from gathering as the church. It was nice to chat with some of the people.

The Message: From the Series: A Life That We Can Live
"The Contemplative Alternative" Message by Brian Zahnd  
It's a good message.

"There is a kind of deep damage to your soul cultivated by a willingness to participate in the constant stress of the culture wars.”  Brain Zahnd

“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties—but right through every human heart and through all human hearts.” - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Gulag Archipelago

Scripture for the week The Collect
Prayer for the week. Luke 24:36b -48

I hope you have a great week.
Spring will come back in time.
I hope soon and very soon.
Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Taxes #52Ancestors 52 Weeks

I haven't explored the taxes records on my ancestors. I don't know where to search. Someday, I will explore the taxes. I think that it would be interesting to see what they recorded.

I have come across some of my ancestors who own land. There were some farmers. Some had businesses. Some owned their homes.  That was a blessings to know.

I wonder about my ancestors.
How did they live in their days?
Did any of any of my ancestors loss their land for not paying their taxes?
And for those who farmed the land, Did they have trouble keeping us the land?
For those who had businesses, when did they started? How did the business end!
Were there any land or businesses passed down through the generations?

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A.Blakley

Celebating The Life That God Has Given

What a beautiful Lord's Day! It's been a wonder day of celebrating my life. I'm thankful that God has placed people in my pathway to celebrate with me. God is so good! Thank You, Abba Father!


Church gathering was at 10 am.

"A Life That We Can Live" Message by Pastor Brian Zahnd
From the Series: A Life That We Can Live.

“Every bush is on fire with God. Every bush, every tree, every bird, every blade of grass, every grain of sand, even the innumerable stars are all on fire with the glory of God.” Brian Zahnd

Oh! LORD, help us tend to our souls. Teach us to slow down. Make us aware that wherever we go, we're on Holy ground. Lead us to that quiet place to where we can meet with you. Show us a life that we can live, day by day as we experience Your glory

Prayer for the week: April 8, 2018
Scripture for the week: John 20:19-31

Born Day Celebration
I enjoyed the last few hours before my birthday officially arrives 12 minutes before 10 am cst. I greeted for a little while. I had a good time. I made my way back to the Upper Room. That's where I entered into my New Year.  LORD, lead the way set before me!

I took the time to read all my birthday greetings and wishes on facebook. Thank You, Jesus! God bless them. How great a gift of life that You have given to me. It's a life worth living, to the glory to Your Holy Name.

Birthdays are special. We should honor them. There are people who don't. That's sad. Then there are people who have birthdays, who are sad. They don't have people to celebrate their life with them. That's sad.

I'm thankful that the Lord has placed people in my life. There were times when a few times whe people forget my birthday nor acknowledge my birthday. It's nice to be thought of and prayed for. Thank You, Father God for thinking of me at the foundation of the world.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Maiden Aunt #52Ancestors 52 Weeks

I searched to see if I had any maiden Aunt who lived to be of age.  I had one aunt who died as a teenager. Other then that, I couldn't find any maiden Aunts to journal about.  Our aunts are a part of the family. They are our parents siblings.

I've notice that some of my relatives who were married but didn't have children.  They were mother figures and father figures to their siblings children and grandchildren. Aunties and Uncles are special people.

On my father's side: His siblings: John  Jr , he had step children. Mary J. Richardson had two adopted daughters, and my father's brother, Paul had a stepson.

On my mother's side: Her siblings: Addison Lankfard's wife had children. Betty M. Weston had no children.  Uncle Ad and Aunt Betty left us with good memories.

Although, some of my aunts and uncles didn't have children, they were loved by many. As we live in life,t God brings us people to love on. Those without children can add to our lives. Indeed they can.

I think being maiden is a gift.  Not every one meant to be married. Not all will become parents. In all we all are apart of some one's life. We add to those in whom God places into our journey in life. May we learn be a blessing to others who cross paths in our lifetime. Amen.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Welcome To The Easter Season and the 2nd Quarter of 2018!

What an beautiful weekend! The Lenten Season ended on Holy Saturday. We're into the Easter Celebration. Enjoy! Happy April!

It's been a snowy Easter Sunday! I think we got about 3 inches of wet snow. It's cold, feeling like Winter time again. I will be below freezing over night.

It's been a wonderful Easter Sunday. I didn't think too much about April Fool's Day, today. For the past 18 years, the 1st Day of April has been different. It's not a day for joking nor to be fooled.

In Memory of my mother.

 On Saturday, April 1, 2000, my mother fell asleep and entered into heaven in the arms of Jesus. We'll reunite again when the time comes.  It's been 18 years since her departure on that Census Day in the U.S.A. ~ My mother was counted on that census. She has left us a legacy. Her spirit still lives in the hearts of those who remember her. She's missed and never forgotten.

A Thought of God's Creation
I've been enjoying God's creation more this year. I took my time today and enjoyed the snow. We have experienced a White Easter Sunday. Five years ago, we had a white Palm Sunday. Would be something if we would have a white Good Friday? All God's creation is beautiful.

Easter Gathering as the church

Message "The Eighth Day" by Pastor Brian Zahnd
( It was a good message and a good The Last Week Series. )

The Prayer for the week and The scripture for the week: John 20: 1- 18

There were a lot of people during the gathering on this snowy day. The snow didn't stop people to come to the house of the LORD.

There was an Easter eggs hunt after church. Yes, in the snow. It was cold and windy. Some children did go for it. Others were given a bag so that didn't have to go outside to look for eggs.

I hope that all will have a wonderful 2nd quarter of 2018.
Enjoy the Easter Season.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley