Thebarefootgypsy

08/29/2026

I'm tired. This is me at the limit for today. The last two days have wiped me out. The week has been the worst in memory, starting with last Sunday, anyway.

I don't know what can be different. Tonight, I'm not even sure I care.

My prayer, my only prayer for now, is that my tooth remains quiet for two more days and then that the dentist will extract it. Monday. 2 p.m. Yank it out because the pain last night was unlike anything, even an ovarian cyst, I have ever experienced. It felt like a ball of pain exploded in my jaw, that the nerve exploded. Today, gratefully, blessedly, it has subsided.

When there are only so many PTO days and 💵 in the bank, it gets wearisome. When there is only so much of me, well, the only parts getting thin are my emotions and patience.

I think I will go to bed.

08/27/2026

This may not be the week for goals, but that's okay. Please say a prayer for my mom and anyone battling cancer and the health frustrations that come with it. 🙏🏻

08/24/2026

God is not silent, but we are often deaf.

08/23/2026

What is in a name? For Simon, a change in all that he had thought he would do with his life. Simon the fisherman became Peter the apostle. The original Rock. The one on which the church built its early foundations.

With his brother Andrew and good friends James and John, Peter operated a fishing business in Capernaum. Andrew was the one who introduced him to Jesus, beginning a deep friendship as one of the 12 Disciples and part of Jesus's inner circle.

Peter was bold and brash. A bit arrogant and cocky. Hot headed. He was loyal and dedicated. He was also human in his failings. He walked on water, until his fear superseded his faith. He assured Jesus he would stand by Him no matter what and then denied Jesus three times. He fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane despite Jesus admonishing him to keep watch.

He learned from his shortcomings and dedicated the rest of his life and ministry to sharing Christ's love and redemption. He wrote the Epistles 1 and 2 Peter in the New Testament.

Even in death, he did not feel worthy of dying in the same manner as Jesus. He was crucified on a cross, but upside down, during the reign of Nero, between 64-68 CE.

Peter left us many lessons and they are as important now as they were in his time. Even when we fail, get angry and strike out, or run away, Jesus still loves us. He will still use us. We are the foundation, the rock, of the ministry God has given us.

08/23/2026

Before there was The Rock, there was Samson. Born in an area between Zorah and Eshtaol, he was an Israelite judge and warrior, well known for his extraordinay physical strength. He had killed a lion with his bare hands, slayed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, and carried a heavy city gate to a hilltop.

When his birth was foretold to his father Manoah, he was given three rules for Samson - he could never cut his hair, he could never consume grape products or wine, and he could not touch a dead body.

Samson downfall happened when he met and fell in love with Delilah. The Philistines were his sworn enemy and determined to discover the source of his strength. Delilah cajoled and pleaded with him to share his secret. After humiliating her twice, he finally told her that his hair could not be cut. If it was, then he would be like any other man. With the information, she gave him up to his enemies and his head was shaved. Samson was captured and paraded before the Philistines as a prize.

With one last prayer, and with his hair having grown out in captivity, During a gala to celebrate his capture, Samson was led to pillars in the temple to "rest" by his captors. His request to God for unfailing strength, one final time, even realizing he would also perish, brought down the temple on those who had mocked him, blinded him, and had oppressed his people.

God gives each of us a strength, or a talent. We are not to spiritually compromise and we need to check our pride. Our strength is not from self, but born of God. There is also redemption even in our failings.

08/23/2026

Written in 1873 by F***y Crosby, "Blessed Assurance" is a famous and beloved Christian hymn.

F***y Cosby was born in 1820 and went blind as an infant. "Blessed Assurance" reflected her faith as taught by the Apsostle Paul in Philippians 1:21 - "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

She wrote the song with composer Phoebe Palmer Knapp. It was copyrighted in 1873 and appeared Palmer's "Guide to Holiness and Revival Miscellany". It went on to become one of the most popular hymns of all time.

"Blessed Assurance" has been covered by Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Mahalia Jackson, CeCe Winans, Randy Travis, The Gaither Vocal Band, among others.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of GodBorn of his Spirit, washed in His blood

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Praising my Savior all the day long

08/23/2026

"I'm So Blessed"
Cain

Watch, listen, and share our music video for “I’m So Blessed”!Lis...

08/23/2026

Abigail was married to a man named Nabal. He was not a kind or patient man, nor did he have the time or use for David, the future King of Israel. He was insulting and dismissive. Abigail understood that her foolhardy husband's behavior could cause heartache and worse, without her intervention.

She went to David with food for him and his men. She placated him with words extolling his destiny and legacy. Essentially, she stroked his ego. It worked, too. David did not have to do a thing. God struck Nabal dead and Abigail played an important role in David's dynasty as his third wife.

Not much else is known of Abigail. She gave birth to David's second son, Chileab (also called Daniel in 1 Chronicles), and then faded into obscurity before he was crowned king.

Abigail's role, however, as a peacemaker and woman of courage, was significant in its lessons for us today. De-escalating volatile situations while remaining humble is as necessary now as it was 3,000 years ago. Trusting God with your household while exercising wisdom and common sense will never be a mistake.

Your story may not seem headline-making at the moment, but that does not mean it will not continue to be influential in the lives of those it impacts, then or in the years to come.