Day 324

Scripture: Ps 61, 62, 68: 1-36; Genesis 21:1-21; Hebrews 11:13-22; John 6:41-51

Scripture standout: Ps 61: "² From the ends of the earth I call to you, 
   I call as my heart grows faint; 
   lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

 Gen 62: "⁹ Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
   the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;    together they are only a breath."

John 6: "⁴³ “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God."


His Deed/The Day: A little "get better soon" care package for a friend...

Day 323

Scripture: Ps 56, 57, 64, 65; Genesis 19:1-29; Hebrews 11: 1-12; John 6:27-40


Scripture standout: Ps 65: " ⁵ You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, 
   God our Savior, 
the hope of all the ends of the earth 
   and of the farthest seas, 
⁶ who formed the mountains by your power, 
   having armed yourself with strength, 
⁷ who stilled the roaring of the seas, 
   the roaring of their waves, 
   and the turmoil of the nations. 
⁸ The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; 
   where morning dawns, where evening fades, 
   you call forth songs of joy."

John 6: "³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”"



His Deed/The Day: A hearty congratulations to a friend who made major progress in a big project.


And on a weird note, RB and I likely deeded a strung out gal we met up with our on Monday morning run. It was pretty scary, actually. As we were going our separate ways, this nasty old pervo white van stops and parks right next to us. The girl driving tells us she just wants to get home. She said she'd been abducted, and "they" wouldn't let her go for four days. She asked for directions to Atlantic Boulevard. Then repeated all her questions again. Being that it was a highly weird situation — potentially dangerous — we gave her directions to Atlantic Boulevard and kept stepping back. Maybe, hopefully, that's all she needed to get home. Maybe deeding isn't always heartwarming. Maybe it's scary sometimes. Regardless...running with a phone now, at least I will if I can remove all the gummy fruits from the inside of my pouch that have been there since lending it to the kids.

Day 322

Scripture: Ps 111; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Scripture standout: A favie fave...LOVE this one, it was the quote of the day on Biblegateway. Possibly this is the foundation of this little experiment:

Mark 9:35: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.””


Ps. 111: "² Great are the works of the LORD; 
   they are pondered by all who delight in them. 
³ Glorious and majestic are his deeds, 
   and his righteousness endures forever."

His Deed/The Day: Sometimes, during those rare church experiences where I can actually focus (i.e., when the kids are acolyting, or it's just me flying solo) I instead zone out into some mystical quiet land where thoughts just zip in and out of my mind. I stare at what people are wearing, I wonder if so-and-so is there, I think about what I'm doing the rest of the day, I ponder whose child is screaming in the back of the church. Today's deed was to focus on praying with the congregation and for the special needs of the church and for those facing challenges. It felt good to be there doing what I was supposed to do.

Day 321

Scripture: Ps 55, 138, 139:1-23; Genesis 18: 1-16; Hebrews 10:26-39; John 6:16-27


Scripture standout: Ps 55: "But as for me, I trust in you."


Ps 138: "¹ You have searched me, LORD, 

   and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.

 ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.

 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you."

John 6: "²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you."

His Deed/The Day: Checked in with a friend facing a health challenge.

Day 320

Scripture: Ps 40, 54, 51; Genesis 17:15-27; Hebrews 10:11-25; John 6:1-15


Scripture standout: Ps 40: "⁵ Many, LORD my God, 
   are the wonders you have done, 
   the things you planned for us. 
None can compare with you; 
   were I to speak and tell of your deeds, 
   they would be too many to declare."

Hebrews 10: "²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,"

John 6: "⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

 ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish."

His Deed/The Day:  I'll take it! Helped two friends who needed a place for their kids to land.

Day 319

Scripture: Ps 50, 118; Genesis 16:15—17:14; Hebrews 10:1-10; John 5:30-47


Scripture standout:
Ps 118: ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 
   his love endures forever."

John 5: ³⁰ By myself I can do nothing;"

A good one from today's Biblegateway:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV


His Deed/The Day: $1 tip in the Smoothie King tip jar and more birthday fun for a friend.

Day 318

Scripture: Ps 67; Acts 26:9-21; Galatians 1: 11-24; Matthew 10:16-22

Scripture standout: Acts 26: "¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me."


Matthew 10: 19"do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

His Deed/The Day: Another little birthday funny for RB...who is turning 40 Friday, btw! Blazin' trails she is...Happy birthday wishes also went out to my father-in-law, who is totally blazin' trails by turning 94 years old.

Day 317

Scripture: Ps 45, 47, 48; Genesis 15:1-11, 17-21; Hebrews 9:1-14; John 5: 1-18


Scripture standout: Ps 48: "¹⁴ For this God is our God for ever and ever; 
   he will be our guide even to the end."

Hebrews 9: "¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,^[c] so that we may serve the living God!"

John 5: "¹⁷ In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” ¹⁸ For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God."

His Deed/The Day: Our priest's mother died last week. Thank goodness for the extra Terry's Kitchen casserole in the freezer and the notepad by my desk. It made me wonder, do parishioners take care of the priest during a time of need like this — just like her or she takes care of parishioners? I hope so.

Today I also did a deed that ticked me off. I have a kind-of-friend, who asks for help with her child every single GD time she calls, texts or emails me. Anyone have a KOF like that? She asked if I could help this week. I wanted to say no, but frankly the ask is so manageable and her child is so sweet that I just can't. But the anger persists. David said to consider it charity work — which I did. After a morning of grumbling, it helped.

Day 316

Scripture: Ps 41, 52, 44; Genesis 14:1-24; Hebrews 8:1-13; John 4:43-54


Scripture standout: Ps 41: "¹ Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; 
   the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. 
² The LORD protects and preserves them— 
   they are counted among the blessed in the land— "

His Deed/The Day: So, I was typing away this morning — and burned two pieces of toast so badly, that they caught on fire in the toaster oven. The house smells TERRIBLE. It smells like the smoking section of a raunchy bar. Yuck. It was nice to get out for awhile today. RB and I finished our last long run — 22 miles! For RB, at least. My foot started acting up at mile 16, so I had to walk some. But whatever...that big training deed is done, done DONE!


I was a little worried about seeking out a deed tonight at Walgreens, where I was buying arch supports and Aleve. Luckily, the guy behind the counter asked if I wanted to donate $1 to the American Cancer Society. Considering how my house smells, I thought it was a timely give. Done.

Day 315

Scripture: Ps 62:6-14; Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20


Scripture standout: Ps 62: "⁹ Surely the lowborn are but a breath, 
   the highborn are but a lie. 
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; 
   together they are only a breath."

I Corinthians 7: "²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."

His Deed/The Day: Relying on my job for the deed today.  OK, my jobs. First, I fulfilled a mom duty by watching a long, but very cute play produced by the children. Second, gave the new intern some writing feedback. Let's be honest. I stayed out too late Saturday night. I was not on prime deeding function mode.

Day 314

Scripture:

Scripture standout:

His Deed/The Day: Birthday surprises and fun for a loved gal!

Day 313

Scripture: Ps 31, 35; Genesis 11:27-12:8; Hebrews 7:1-17; John 4:16-26

Scripture standout: Ps 31: "¹⁴ But I trust in you, LORD; 
   I say, “You are my God.” 
¹⁵ My times are in your hands;"

And another favie fave from the Biblegateway QoTD:

“[Trials and Temptations] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV


His Deed/The Day: Ah, deed done before the kids wake up — now that's my kind of deeding day. I'd heard about a friend — not a good friend, but a nice person who's a friend of a friend — is starting a new nonprofit venture in Jacksonville. I hadn't gotten details about it, and all I knew was something that was shared with me in a passing conversation. I do know it's launching on Saturday, whatever it is. So, this morning I fired off a quick email wishing her and the new venture well — and that one day soon I wanted to hear more about it.

Day 312

Scripture: Ps 37:1-42; Genesis 11: 1-9; Hebrews 6:13-20; John 4:1-15


Scripture standout: Ps 37: "²³ The LORD makes firm the steps 
   of the one who delights in him; 
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall, 
   for the LORD upholds him with his hand."

John 4: "¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”



His Deed/The Day: Oh geez. Today my deed was to listen. Political season is heating up. And oh how. A co-worker enjoys ranting on this topic. Since the only thing a ranter wants is to be heard, I decided the day's deed would be to listen, and nod and look interested.

Day 311

Scripture: Ps 23; Acts 4:8-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19


Scripture standout: 1 Peter 5: "² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;"


Ps 23: "¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever."

His Deed/The Day: Ah, sweet relief — no deeding panic for today. I just heard a friend's son is going to perform in church this month. How great! I took the thought a step further, and shared that with his mother to share with him. Not a big deal, but who doesn't like to be congratulated?

Day 310

Scripture: Ps 26, 28, 36, 39; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 5: 7-14; John 3:16-21

Scripture standout: ps 26: "¹² My feet stand on level ground; 
   in the great congregation I will praise the LORD."

John 3: "¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

His Deed/The Day: I feel like I'm going through a deeding dry period. Today, I'm looking for some of that yummy "low-hanging fruit!" The kind of deeds that jump out or into my conscience and scream, "Do me!!!!"

Well, at least there was some low-hanging fruit with a good friend who has a birthday coming up — and another going through a healthcare challenge. A note for one and a treat for the other was easy, and fun. But later that night, after a meeting, when a colleague broke into tears over a situation and I stood there like a freak ignoring my inner pleas to hug her or "do something won't you!!!", I failed to pick the low-hanging fruit. Why is it still so hard to break out of that comfort zone?

Day 309

Scripture: Ps 25, 9, 15; Genesis 8:6-22; Hebrews 4:14—5:6; John 2:23—3:15

Scripture standout: (one of my all-time favie faves) Ps 25: "⁴ Lord, show me your ways. 
      Teach me how to follow you. 
 ⁵ Guide me in your truth. Teach me. 
      You are God my Savior. 
      I put my hope in you all day long."

His Deed/The Day: An observation: Most of the time, I think we have very little perspective on the glorious wonderful things God does for us in our lives. Life gets too busy and cloudy to catch a good view. But sometimes, you can see the steps — very clearly. And it's pretty cool how God connects people to accomplish exciting things through each of us.

A little example:  I've always wanted to write, at least something, for the daily newspaper. I've been fortunate to have accumulated a nice portfolio of work through my many years at The Business Journal of Jacksonville and Austin, and now at The Resident. But through my friend, RB, I became acquainted with the Community Foundation of Jacksonville's Philanthropic Initiative. Our group just so happened to be interested in bettering education in Jacksonville by highlighting best practices by local teachers. Just so happened the Times-Union would be a media partner. Then they tapped me to write them! The project is successful and rallies interest, makes people feel good. And now the Times-Union is offering me a freelance gig — paid! What if I'd never met RB? (Well, insert here that things would be very different because our lives are completely intertwined between our children's friendships, our husbands and our own...but that's another story)

Another example: Yesterday, my trio met to make music. One of us is having a little healthcare need tended to. We rallied around her...gifts galore. Fun! But even more fun was reminiscing about how our connection five years ago was "a God thing." Our violin/violist (Let's call her G-String 2) ran into the G-String 1's husband at a cocktail party. She told him she played the violin, and maybe his wife would enjoy getting together. He took her name tag and shared it with G String 1. Enter me, G-String 3, who ran into G-String 1 at the park. I said, "maybe we could get togheter and play sometime." The trio was formed, and we've been enjoying each other's friendship ever since.

Deed for today...being part of an audience. By the end of MLK Day holiday, I was much more interested in sitting down with the family instead of rushing off to a concert by the Ritz Chamber players at our church. No one would miss me, I thought! But I think a deed is definitely showing support in an audience, and I was low on a deed. So I grabbed Marley and went...glad we did!

Day 308

Scripture: Ps 139; 1 Samuel 3:1-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51


Scripture standout: PS 139: ²³ God, see what is in my heart. 
      Know what is there. 
   Put me to the test. 
      Know what I'm thinking. 
 ²⁴ See if there's anything in my life you don't like. 
      Help me live in the way that is always right."

1 Samuel 3: "¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there. He called out, just as he had done the other times. He said, "Samuel! Samuel!"

   Then Samuel replied, "Speak. I'm listening."

²⁰ Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.

1 Corinthians 6: "

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."

John 1: "

His Deed/The Day: A big thank you...email style, but what the heck...to my thoughtful aunt and uncle! They sent a lovely post-Christmas box of fruit from south Texas.