Thursday, November 30, 2017

CHOOSE: THE WAY

Biblically, "the Way" was the Acts 9:2 description of a group of people. Believers of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 32:8 shows the "way" as a direction. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go....."

The gospel of John describes "The Way" as a person. "Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life...." (John 14:6, w/ my capitalization emphasis)

For me, all of the above are the right way to choose.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

CHOOSE: TO GIVE

I grew up hearing, "it is better to give than to receive." I believed it.
Later on I learned that particular "adage/platitude" was actually scriptural truth. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts: 20:35)

So.....I "give" my friend, Elnora, a special treat every month. It's her day.  "Nora's Day." 
It's always on Thursday. Except today---it was on Wednesday because of a scheduling conflict. Friends who called were confused when I said I was with her because they too know that for years, our together time has always Thursday.
This Thursday/Wednesday started with waffles at Bedrock on South Main....
....continued with a foliage hunt....(she likes pictures of trees, no matter what her sisters say.)
on the way to the National Civil Rights Museum, because she had always wanted to go...
....and onward to the Harrahan Bridge but said "NO!" to standing over the river, as she does NOT like heights!

We ended our day as we had begun it----with laughter!!
I still understand the truth of Acts:20:25 but I also know that I am the one who truly receives when I give Elnora a day. 
I guess that's the true blessing that comes from giving---receiving a blessing yourself.

Choose to give and it shall be given unto you. (Luke 6:38) 
Thanks Nora, for choosing to go with me even though you know we always get lost at least once!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

CHOOSE: TO REMEMBER


The preacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time to be born and a time to die. (3:2)

Certainly it seems easier to celebrate births (neighbor, baby Ford---or impending births (Emily and Nathan’s first child due this month as well as Norman and Linda’s grandbaby, Lilly B, due in May) and years of birthdays (Almeda, 101 & Lilly, 88) than to go into houses of mourning. But funerals have outnumbered births these last 6 weeks.

In the last 5 days, two friends have buried their husbands.
The week prior, I attended visitations for daughter of one friend and mother of another friend, both of whom I had worked with in education at Shelby County. 

A few weeks before that I mourned with a family, from my hometown, who had come to Memphis for their “Debbie’s” funeral. Not only were we all from Hopkinsville, but the Drurys were former neighbors who had lived around the corner from me on Virginia St. first on Moreland Dr. and then Jimmy and Greta lived on Alumni Moreland. 
Just a few days days before, I had attended the funeral for a dad of a former student from Southwind Elementary. 
Plus, two encouragers of mine, Carolyn O. from AR and Carolyn F. from MS both “lost” their sister and sister-in-law, respectively.

But God......in His love and mercy (Ephesians 2:4) reminded me to remember. Remember the good times and be grateful that they had chosen to believe.  A lot of grieving and yet much to remember with thankful hearts. 
For most it was a relief from physical suffering and a hope for a better life in the Presence of the Lord. So much earthly loss but so much heavenly gain.

Without that, the times of remembering would be difficult. But.....because of their faith choices, my choice to remember was one of celebration!

Monday, November 27, 2017

CHOOSE: TO HOPE

Locked out of laptop. Phone too small for me to blog. 
Hoping the Apple Store can fix it.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

CHOOSE: SATURDAY AND TEACAKES

Saturday and Tea Cakes---a story in photos which blesses my heart.



Pictures can speak louder than the words this book loving, tea drinking grandmother could have even attempted to write when her only granddaughter set up this party for her friends.

CHOOSE: FRIDAY FUN

"FRIDAY FUN"----a little late but hopefully worth the wait.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE GOD'S GOODNESS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
With a joyous houseful and beyond, I'm celebrating God's goodness, not just reading about it! (Philippians 4:4)

Will share pix soon, I hope...or maybe not---my heart is so full.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

CHOOSE: AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANXIETY

If anxiety is often synonymous with stress, How does one rid herself from stress, the bad kind that is?

What is an effective, appropriate alternative to anxiety?

The answer is simple. The application is harder. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Friend Drenda, who knows me oh so-o-o well after working with me for years, has given me a tangible reminder. A pocket prayer shawl---how original and perfect.

Some choices are easier to make with encouragement from friends.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

CHOOSE: NOT TO DIVIDE

"I don't "do" numbers." is a declarative sentence I often use. Just yesterday I used it in the joy blog entry.

Therefore it makes sense that my mathematical calculations don't go much past add, subtract, multiply and divide. In fact, I remember in 4th grade having trouble with division. I sat in my teacher's (Mrs. Munday) lap and cried over my ineptness with remainders and such.

But....division is a necessary calculation in our world.
However, division is not needed in one aspect of a Christian's walk.

There is always one common denominator---Jesus. I know that's fractions, which I also don't do well, but I do understand "that figure" for the total population of all Christians should express the same value. Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
Chuck Swindoll reminds us in chapter 3 of Christ at the Crossroads, that when one divides his/her life into secular and spiritual, he/she has forgotten who's in charge.
In the individual life of each believer....


....there should be no division of the secular and sacred.
You are what you believe in every facet of your life. 

Today, I choose not to divide what I believe with how I act. 

Trust me, such choosing has to be a daily, actually a moment by moment, choice!

Monday, November 20, 2017

CHOOSE: MULTIPLYING JOY

How does a worrier multiply joy?
Worry negates joy.

A cup of worry can cover life like a fog that covers 7 city blocks. Yet, a fog though thick and dense, can be reduced to 1 cup of water. (Chuck Swindoll, Christ at the Crossroads) That sounds like a scientific deduction I can't begin to understand. But, certainly a cup of water sounds like it's easier to handle than 7 blocks of fog in one's life. 
I not only need to replace worry with joy in my own life, but I also want to "pay it forward" in the lives of others. I want to be a multiplier of joy.

Multiplying joy is and of itself an equation. Though I am NOT a "numbers person," I need to work out this worry "problem" with help.
His joy > my worries = my joy with a remainder of joy for others.

John 15:11 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!" (TCB)
Fullest possible joy." is the way NCV translates.

Fulness of joy = complete joy---with no room for worry. Worry is substituted/replaced with sufficient joy so that there is a joyful remainder to share.
And God is able to bless you abundantly. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Multiplying joy = joy in abundance. 

Multiplying His joy in and through  me is the best calculation for serving others with joy as Thanksgiving approaches.

Friday, November 17, 2017

CHOOSE: SEASONAL CONTENTMENT

Sitting at the breakfast table looking out at the patio it would be easy to bemoan the "leaf situation." That is,  if I were the resident"raker." 
But....I have never even turned on a leaf blower so my thoughts were more positive than hubby's who tries to calculate the number of leaves left on the trees against the meteorologist report for upcoming rain. Then he weighs all of that against the arrival of the first grands on Monday for Thanksgiving.

I, on the other hand, am grateful for the God-designed seasons (Genesis 1:14) and think about what fun those Texans will enjoy running through those leaves and hearing them crackle beneath their feet. And our little New Yorker will love them as well as there is ground beneath theses leaves and not asphalt an just throwing leaves in the air and watching the wind blow them can be fun.

This morning as I remembered  Genesis 8:22, " While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease,"  I was content to sit with a cinnamon stick in my cuppa and watch the leaves dance. In this season of my life, I'm thankful that the Lord has chosen for me to dwell in a part of the country that has a bit of all the seasons to enjoy. (Acts 17:26) 
That's my Friday choice----seasonal contentment with a leaf strewn view.


Thursday, November 16, 2017

CHOOSE: TO CELBRATE LONGEVITY

Longevity. Our life span is not something we can choose.
"God has appointed the number of our days. He has determined the length of our lives." (Job 14:5)

In the last few weeks I have been to 3 funerals for folks younger than I. Many tried to make the funerals a celebration of life. I understand that but it also made me realize, as Daddy used to say, "I thank the good Lord for every day He gives me." Well said, Daddy. Celebrate life one day at a time.

Celebrate life. Celebrate the years. Use the longevity you are given as a time of service.
As folks retire they are rewarded honors for years (longevity) of service.
Today we honored a lady on her "almost 101st birthday." I don't think I've ever known anyone who has celebrated a birthday with triple digits. She is a woman blessed with "multiplied days and increased years." (Proverbs 9:11)
Almeda Burns will be one hundred and one years old on Thanksgiving day----so we celebrated early.
We ate and ate some more. Two desserts, no less. We sang. She blew out her "1" candle. Others at Town Village stopped by to greet her. But....her favorite part was being able to share memories with others from the King's Daughters and Sons, a Christian service organization.
Several were the daughters of her friends, "now all gone," as she said.
Eavesdropping on all those stories, I realized that she was worthy of the honor of longevity of service. Years of service, "In HIs Name."

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

CHOOSE: THE CORRECT FOCUS

Need a new outlook or a fresh focus?
Sometimes we just need to look up---
Whether in a chapel........
.....in a hallway at a storytelling festival...
......or on the road.
Other times we need to look down and absorb the words.
It's crucial to choose the correct focus because our "mind feasts on what it focuses on." (?)
Such thinking can make or break one's identity so a correct focus is key.(Proverbs 23:7)

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

CHOOSE: STORYTELLING!

Storytelling. An oral tradition that binds families together with shared memories.
Donald Davis is the master of such a tradition. He leaves his audiences "limp from laughter and with a lump in their throats" reports the New York Times.
Our kids and now our grands have grown up with his tales. Caleb (11) was privy to hearing him in person last year in Texas. This past weekend Owen (10) attended a storytelling festival at Balmoral Presbyterian in Memphis. 

A few years ago, hubby and I shared his Grand Canyon CD with family on our Westward Ho trip. We laughed "all the way to the bottom of the canyon" with him.
Davis says, " Storytelling is not what I do for a living---it is how I do all that I do while I am living."

I first met Donald Davis at the Methodist camp at Lake Junaluska, NC as a 17 year old. He worked in the bookstore and I was a camper. As a librarian, many years later, I heard him at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN.
As a Methodist minister, Davis understands the importance of passing on stories, both Biblical and personal to the next generation. (Joel 1:3 & Psalm 78:4) We should all do the same.

That's why hubby and I both choose storytelling and the importance of passing on that oral tradition.

Monday, November 13, 2017

CHOOSE: COMMUNITY

Recent sermons from ABC and FEC have emphasized the importance of loving God and loving our neighbors. (Mark 12:30-31)
Neighbors in the pew next to you. Neighbors across the street. Neighbors across the ocean. 

Getting to know others builds community.  Trust is built. Diversity is celebrated. Relationships are solidified in both the good times and the bad. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
Support is given whether in a hospice room or at a baby shower ---at least that's the way my weekend was spent.

Celebrations can be shared even when one is past childbearing age, whether it's parents of their "first" new born down the street ....

.....or the big reveal across town at the gym----a girl is on the way to join 3 brothers.
Wherever you are, get to know the ones God puts in your path and celebrate where they are in life and also be there to mourn with them when life ends. 

Friday, November 10, 2017

CHOOSE: LESS FRET, MORE FAITH

Less Fret, More Faith is the 1st chapter in Max Lucado's new book, anxious for nothing FINDING CALM in a CHAOTIC WORLD based on Philippians 4:4-6.
Sometimes I feel like a could write these anti-anxiety books my self. I just don't always live it.
I certainly know about fretting and remind myself often, "Fret not, Dots!"
I've memorized the Philippians passage but..........I couldn't resist the implication of "are you anxious about being anxious" and other revealing phrases in the intro, which seemed to describe me. 
...a low grade fear. A edginess, a dread.....not so much a storm as the certainty that one is coming.....so you don't sleep well. (p. 3)
Hm-m-m-m! 
Other gems included: 
  • Anxiety is a meteor shower of "what ifs." (I'm already working on changing the "what if" fears in my life to "even if" faith.)
  • Anxiety and fear are cousins but NOT twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines it. (emphasis mine)
  • The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.
I pulled out these pithy grabbers to give an overview but these are not mere platitudes---there's much good info when you read them within the text. 
I choose to continue to read this book---maybe I will be able to "turn a page in this book that will help me turn over a new leaf in my life."

Will I be able to quench the anxiety with unquenchable faith? I'll let you know.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

CHOOSE: TO INTERCEDE

Choose to learn from Scripture as you seek to pray for others.
John 17 is called by many as the "High Priestly Prayer." According to Justin Taylor, Desiring God, (10/2/07) this chapter on Jesus' prayer has "only about 650 words, takes only 3 minutes thirty seconds to read aloud but will take an eternity for use to fully understand it."

I, certainly do not fully understand it, but my aim is to learn what God has for me to glean at this season of my life. Reading the scripture in my Ryrie Study Bible gave insight and a few gems.
My goal is to learn from Jesus' intercession for us to aid me in interceding for others.
#1 for me is the Lord Jesus referring to believers as a gift from the Father to Him. Five times this "giving" is repeated. (vs. 2, 6, 6, 9, 24) 
#2 is that Christ is praying for those (believers) given to Him. 
That's enough for me to dwell on for a while. I, as a believer, am a gift from Father God to His Son Jesus, and Jesus prays for me. That's huge to share with others who need encouraging and to pray that  they too live out that truth, as One of His.

Now, I have been offered a "loan" of a book by a local pastor and I look forward to his insights on John 17 as well as other prayers of Jesus as well. 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

CHOOSE: VESPERS

Vespers. Vespers around a campfire.
A church camp routine, a least at Camp Loucon in Leitchfield, KY.

Prayers and singing. 
Think, Kum Ba Yah (Come By Here) in the 60's.

For me, knowing God became experiential during vespers at that camp, not just cognitive knowledge. 
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Not just a mountain top or lakeside experience but one that has stayed with me for all these years.

I have not forgotten the experience but somehow the word, "vespers" has been lying dormant in the dim recesses of my mind. I am grateful to have recalled it recently and now choose to introduce it to my "grands" when they come for Thanksgiving. 
Maybe we will even sing "Kum Ba Yah" around our fire pit.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

CHOOSE: TO RELAX

Winnie the Pooh. Who doesn't know that silly old bear, created by A.A.Milne.

For anyone who has ever visited Ashdown Forest (aka "100 aker wood") in East Grinstead, Sussex, UK,  or thrown sticks over Pooh Sticks bridge, it will be a  cinematographic walk down memory lane. 
I still remember 4 grown ladies dropping our sticks in the water and then running to the other side to see whose stick would float by first.
Whether you've been there or not anyone who has ever read Winnie the Pooh to a child needs to see the biopic, "Goodby Christopher Robin." Now showing at the Ridgeway Malco. You know, the one with the big comfy seats and food to order.

The Ridgeway movie theatre appeals to seniors because even the trailers for upcoming movies are tame.
Here's a peek. Wonder,  An all time favorite book of mine that is all about kindness opens November 17. The Man Who Invented Christmas, biopic of Charles Dickens Nov. 22.

What a great way to spend a chilly/drizzly afternoon than at the movie with another book lover.

Monday, November 6, 2017

CHOOSE: THE FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING

Fountains can offer quiet tranquil places---places which evoke tranquility even in the midst of hubbub. Water can do that or me----reminding me to relax and be still, that God might speak.
Ask the One who is the source of the Living Water, to teach you that His words might come alive in your life, in spite of all the distractions and chaos. As the psalmist says in Psalm 42:2, "My soul thirsts for God. for the living God." (NIV)
In the Message version of Psalm 42:2, I read words that spoke to my thirsty heart. 
I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God alive. I wonder, 'Will I ever make it--arrive and drink in God's presence?' When can I go and meet with God.
How blessed one is to have God's Word at her fingertips.

"The word of God is alive and active." As Stephen reminded the Sanhedrin, Moses received living words to passion." (Acts 7:38) We need to remember these words as well. 
Words that can be a fount of blessing when we share with others.

Friday, November 3, 2017

CHOOSE: TO DIG FOR GEMS

Avid readers sometimes forget to deeply enjoy a book a long the way and tend to scan over long descriptive narratives. Often, they seem to be just fillers but sometimes one needs to remember to search for the treasures. I found such a treasure as I finished reading To Be Where You Are this week. 

For one thing, I found the title reference mid-stream and then as I was finishing up, I found a gem. 
Author, Jan Karon, uses Father Tim, her protagonist (a retired Episcopal priest) to pass along wisdom to his adopted son, who has wisely decided to take a little time off work to be with family just as Father Tim has done with "his" Cynthia.
So glad I chose to read deeply and not skip over this gem.
Karon says it well---sometimes we need to let go of all the cares and concerns which tie us down to time consuming routines which bind us to work rather than others. A light heart, that comes from trusting God and giving thanks, allows one to "regroup"  and gather in for herself and in turn pour out to others.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

CHOOSE: MVP

Last night the Houston Astro’s became the World Series champs for the first time! What an uplifting moment for that Texas city which has endured so much hardship since hurricane Harvey. Hubby even came to bed late because he wanted to see who won the MVP. In the baseball world a World Series MVP is pretty important! Of course, can I even remember the name of the person who was awarded MVP last night? No.
But God reminded me how important “MVP” is in one’s spiritual life, especially concerning Scripture meditation.
I know, because  my Joshua 1:8 marginalia showed Robert Morgan‘s three necessary steps in Bible study from that one verse.
1) Read it. 2) Keep on reading God's Word aloud. 3) Don't stop reading and repeating it.
Reading, reading aloud and meditation are all on-going.
Meditate on it day and night. As Morgan states in All to Jesus, “Meditation is the missing link in getting the words from the page of the Bible into her bloodstream.” (Day 302)
The Bill Gothard seminar (1975) emphasized the MVP method of meditation; Memorizing, Visualizing and Personalizing. 
 It’s when one personalizes scripture that they bring in obedience that leads to applying truth to their own lives.  Just knowing more scripture is worthless unless it is applied to one's spiritual walk. 
Memorizing and visualizing are both good but personalizing is key.
When you choose MVP, choose the whole package. 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SEE BEAUTY IN THEMSELVES

Why is it so hard for women to believe they are beautiful? Is it because they are measuring only their outer beauty and using the world's notions as their measuring stick. Maybe women compare their inside with everyone else's outsides. Or others' perfect family portraying FaceBooks posts.
The caption led me to buy the noosa yoghurt---but the yummy, creamy key lime taste will have me buying it again.
God"s word says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
God said it. (Psalm 139:14)
That makes it true. Why don't we believe it? 
Repeat after me is what I said to my recent class.
"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

God's word is good to have in our arsenal for fighting inferiority.
Isn't our disbelief an affront to our Creator?

2 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
 Let's unite as women to help each other, as God's creation, to see beauty in ourselves and others.