Weekly Chat - January 27, 2026

 

DATE:  January 27, 2026

WEATHER:  Frigid! 11 degrees right now with a "feels like" of 0. As many of you, we had an icy, frigid weekend. Some areas got it worse than others. In our area, we were spared any power outages. Today we will be getting up into the upper 30s. Praying for those who are without power and covered with ice.

READING:  Still reading Just Give Me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz. It is meaty and I'm taking it slowly. 

LISTENING TO:  Currently listening to the New Testament (NIV translation) narrated by David Suchet. I didn't listen over the weekend to keep my phone charged.

SO THANKFUL:  My biggest fear this weekend were power outages. Thankfully, we never had an issue. I had candles and batteries on the ready and plenty of quilts. And while I'm thankful that I didn't suffer, I think of and pray for my fellow Tennesseans (and all others) who are without power as I type this.Thankfully, none of my family lost power either.

PRAYING FOR:  My primary prayer focus at the moment are on those affected by Winter Storm Fern. Nashville was hit very hard. Seeing the swath of ice that traveled across the country is truly heartbreaking. You would think that living in Florida for so many years and hurricane watching, I'd be used to this. But it doesn't get easier.

FOR A GIGGLE: 

A PEEK INTO MY LIFE:

We finally got our snow during the night Sunday. But under that snow on my car was solid ice!

SCRIPTURE:

FINAL THOUGHTS:  I remember when I lived in Florida, watching a tropical system heading my way. I'd pray that I'd be spared and God was merciful. I knew though, that in missing me, it hit somewhere else. With any storm or trial, we sometimes feel a touch of it or sometimes it rocks our world. Lately, I've been thinking on the scripture written by Paul centuries ago.. . .

"Not that I speak in regard to want, for I have learned, in whatsoever

state I am, therewith to be content."

Philippians 4:11

If circumstances had happened differently for me this weekend, would I still be able to repeat that scripture with confidence? God's word is true, whether we choose to believe it or not. We either give in to fear, or we remember that God is with us in whatever state we are in. 

Prayers and thoughts to those of you who have been affected with all this winter mess. I understand that spring is only 56 days away! 

Melanie

Weekly Chat - January 19, 2026

 

DATE:  January 19, 2026

WEATHER:  Cold! No rain. No snow. Just cold!

READING:  Just Give Me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz

WATCHING:  Working my way through my Miss Marple DVD collection 

LISTENING TO:  New Testament - NIV. narrated by David Suchet. Now in 1 Corinthians

SO THANKFUL:  the warmth of home and all that God provides. 

PRAYING FOR:  our country, friends and family, those that God brings to my mind

FOR A GIGGLE:  

PEEK INTO MY LIFE:

My California granddaughter (middle) visited my Connecticut

granddaughter (left) and got together with their mother (right)

INSPIRATION:

courtesy of Pinterest

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The above graphic is for me this week. Lots of anxiety, but nothing specifically wrong. It's been a strange winter - cold, then mild, then cold. For some reason, the dark mornings and early dark evenings have gotten to me this year. Add in the cold, battling sickness as I did for months, and I'm ready for spring. Outward circumstances can so easily overshadow the blessings in our lives. And as humans, we are so difficult to satisfy. It often takes effort to remember Who we belong to and how loved we are by a triune, majestic God. 

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever

state I am, to be content."

Philippians 4:11

I need to keep reminding myself of this.

Have a blessed week.