MY SHEPHERD ---OFFERS A SECURE DWELLING PLACE!

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord" (Psalm 23:6b)

That's SECURITY!

Dwelling in the house of the Lord is more than a secure place!

Abiding is the word that comes to my mind.....an all encompassing word that signifies the security that comes from dwelling with Him, my Shepherd, in a deep, ongoing relationship. That's not to diminish a physical presence at a church but to always include my/your mind and heart seeking His Presence and trusting Him in all of life! 

Result = True Security!

For me, that relationship is enhanced by starting each day (dwelling) with Him---and an open Bible on my lap with a cuppa securi-TEA alongside.

A security definition from the Psalms---

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)

THE LORD----MY SHEPHERD LEADER!!

The Lord is my leader.....

    He leadeth me beside the still waters---

THAT'S  REFRESHMENT!

ROSE WALK @ LAKE JUNALUSKA

He leadeth me to relaxing  times, NOT times riddled with worry. 

When we lean into Him with faith it's like stepping right into the still, calm waters where our souls can be rejuvinated!

Truly refreshing!

THE LORD--MY REST

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures---(even with a sleeping bag and blanket)

That's REST!!!

The shepherd's presence seems to make all the difference in the behavior of His tired sheep! Turning back fear before it can get a foothold. Sitting in His "Love-Light."

Think revitalizing!

Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. -Augustine

TARRYING TUESDAY!

Tarrying in scripture was the directive, during Pentecost, for the disciples as they waited for the glorification of the Lord and the Holy Spirit to come. (Luke 24:49) For me, the analogy of tarrying is indicative of the waiting required for clarity, direction and power from God all of which are evidence of the ascended Christ.

Recently I have been focused on my physical condition when In fact, it's my spiritual condition that allows me to "put on Christ." (Romans 13:14)

Clothed in Christ. Think compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Lately, it seems sometimes I have to seek God's face from the stillness of my bed, front porch or out the window. Today is that kind of day for me. 

Neighbor's flame azalea. 

Aflame with the Spirit reminder. (Romans 12:11)

Tarrying. Lingering. Physically waiting in prayer to enable me to cling to His Presence throughout this day. 

May this Tarrying Tuesday be a time of waiting in God's Presence!

A soul-filling time!

WAY OF PEACE!

I "know" God is with me. So..........why do unexpected circumstances throw me off course? I "know" the answer. I respond to the wrong stimuli! 

Sight and sound. Those loud thoughts of mine that bombard my mind as I try to live "without fear!" The last two hours of talking with medical folks on the phone and seeking info from recordings & portals......not people, have me desiring to have the "sky-writing" type affirmation from the LORD!

ALERT to self! Today is "Thankful Thursday"!

Though I might have struggle living without fear, a sign on cancer center windowsill, reminded  me to live with "faith over fear!"

A mere 2 days ago, I had "wall writing" at a doc appointment. A great summation of truth!" 

There is always, always, always Something to be Thankful for.

It might not be skywriting & it might end in a preposition....but it's a clear declaration of His way of peace. 

Trust in Him paired with gratitude for His steadfast love, is God's will for us in Christ Jesus! (1Thessalonians 5:18)

SPRING JOY!

One of my NC neighbors is an amazing gardener----from tropical greenhouse gardens and herbs to scatterings of jonquils/daffodils of many varieties; a husband willing to plant them...and both wiling to share them!

Spring Joy

 Maybe it was Spring Hope! She was't sure. I wouldn't know.

If I chose a name, it would be Spring Peace. Their garden is so serene---it calls for one to come and "sit a spell."

Since we moved here 6 months ago, I have had a constant need for peace.

Today's Jesus Calling DAYBRIGHTENER, reminded me "peace is one of our deepest needs."

God  planted that peace in the garden of our heart. Sarah Young also pointed out weeds can also grow there as well---pride, worry, selfishness. God, who is the Gardener of our heart works to rid our hearts of weeds. He uses times when we sit still in the light os His Presence. In His heavenly light flowers flourish and  weeds of troubling can shrivel up and die away or at least become bearable as we face them with Him!

His joyful Presence brings Spring Joy, Spring Hope or Spring Peace.

Take your pick!

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

Saturday's Blessing....even if it was Livestream.

A beautiful bride. An awestruck groom.

A sanctuary filled with answered prayers.

Here comes the bride.....

.........There goes the family.

A beautiful event, orchestrated by God!

BEHOLD!

BEHOLD! Behold has been My One Word for 2023! 

Until then, I had not given the word much thought. In my head I saw it in all caps followed by at least one exclamation point! BEHOLD!

Premier Christianity's definition was enlightening to me. 

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring.

Knowing Jesus noted 1527 occurrences of behold in 12 translations.

"Be sure to see" is the literal translation of the Greek word eido.

'Behold' is used 1,298 times in the King James version of the Bible. It is derived from the Greek word 'eido,' which has the literal translation of: be sure to see.

I had never really given the word much thought. But it actually appears in the scriptures about 500 times depending on the translation, so it’s probably worthy of a bit of consideration.

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring. https://www.premierchristianity.com/columnists/god-says-behold-1500-times-in-the-bible-heres-what-it-means/6136.article

For me, it's the personal aspect of God's Presence that is something to behold!

And behold I am with you always even until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20, ESV)

Sarah Young certainly shared the importance of peace in His Presence when she served me tea, 10 years ago today.

Today, O Lord may I BEHOLD! and focus on your Presence in my life. It does bring peace as Sarah knows first hand!

FAITH-FAMILY-FRENDS!!!

Faith. Family. Friends.

What do those three words have in common? 

The funeral of David Reid Manley, an amazing man with a soft heart and a servant's spirit, who would have appreciated Elvis singing "Precious Lord!"

A true celebration of a life-well lived by a PawPaw who loved the Lord first and allowed that love to overflow in service to family and others! 

Many of those who loved him filled the sanctuary. Fellow wood workers, deer hunters, jokesters and furniture movers. Most all of us were clad in Memphis blue to honor David's passion, as a Highland Hundred Tiger Booster. Even his Ole Miss chum.

Pastor Rob Mullins (Crossroads Baptist Church) offered comforting reminders from God's Word to those in attendance.

Remember--   

• God's Presence---Do not fear, I am with you...(Isaiah 41:10)
• God's Promises---For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 
• God's Peace---We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
• God's People---I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) His wife Nina & the family have seen that goodness from texts, emails, cards and of course, casseroles from the Baptists. (Rob Mullins)

Mr. Manley had such a generous, servant's heart. I know that first hand. I received one of his hand-carved comfort crosses to take with me to Texas for all my cancer surgeries in 2009. What a treasure for me!

David Manley was a John 13:35 man--- all knew he was a disciple of the Lord because he had love for others without ever expecting or needing a thank you.

Certainly faith, family and friends are proof of a life worthy of celebration!

JOYFUL!

Some aspects (nouns)  of life become even more fulfilling with the addition of the suffix ful. 

My "cottage" garden, though imperfect, gives me joy.

When a yellow swallowtail joins the remaining blooms and covers the weeds, I am joyful!

Full of joy! 

In my garden. "In His Presence is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11, emphasis mine)

HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCES : A COMPARISON

Hair Raising Experiences! We've all had them! Some more pleasant than others.

How different my hair-raising experiences were years ago---rafting "Olympic" size rapids, zip-lining in the mountains and tent camping in the snow. Now keeping up with what day it is and taking all required meds and supplement--- when either my eensy blood pressure pill doesn't quite make it to my mouth or my almost daily "on hands and knees" occurrence of  trying to find my Vitamin D which "rolled" somewhere. The hair-raising part is when I try to get-up again!

A recent hair-raising occurred---on my day out with a two-year old.

His hair-raising experiences become a little hair-raising for me as I try to keep up. For him, it's all about running and exploring, resulting in lots of physical exercise. 

Lately, for me it's been about a sedentary exercise of "one-anothering" (1 Thessalonians 5:11) from my computer or through a phone text or USPS card to another who needs a little encouragement or extra measure of love. (Hebrews10:24) 

And that's okay....if the inevitable outward effects of aging are evident, I'll need to accept "inner aliveness" (DayBrightener, 10/20) as a result of His Presence. 

Inner aliveness.

Inner hair-raising experiences. I'll settle for that. 

P.A.U.S.E.

This entry has been in process since July 1. That was just 2 days ago and I'm still trying to untangle all the sudden changes that have brought planning to a screeching halt.

I noticed in yesterday's journal entry that "pause" was ending as "my word" and I was picking up seek as my focus. What had I learned during my "pause" time of reflection?

I added a Practice Thy Presence ("PTP") addendum....... Practice the Pause to enhance Practicing Thy Presence---at least it does for me.

Angry---PAUSE!

In doubt---PAUSE!

Tired---PAUSE!

Stressed---PAUSE!

When you pause---PRAY!!!

Put

Aside

Unnecessary

Stuff

Everyday

Unraveling requires lots of "pause" time to ponder!

GOD'S PROCLAMATION

Fearful. Anxious. Apprehensive. Concerned. Suspect. 

Wondering how to help neighbors?

A "pandemic proclamation" gives rise to all those emotions. 

BUT GOD..... PROCLAMATIONS allow His people to find safety and courage as they trust in Him. 

God's proclamation---Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10a)

The Lord's Presence indwelling His own people, should inspire trust and confidence. In quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

God's Read Psalm 46 when your world seems to be falling apart.

Continue to be diligent to obey all CDC declarations. Help and encourage others along those guidelines. 

Proclaim God's goodness to offer peace during this time of "Utter Confusion". (Armerding, p.86)

ETCHED IN STONE

Sometimes great reminders are right at your feet.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY!

• Romans 15:13. ... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Nehemiah 8:10. ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Isaiah 35:10.....Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Psalm 16:11. ... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Psalm 27:6. ... I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
• Psalm 28:7...The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him 
• Psalm 126:2-3. ...The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

CHOOSE JOY--ETCH IT IN STONE! 

BETTER YET, WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART!

CHOOSE: NEARNESS

Growing up in the Methodist church in Hoptown, one tid-bit I recall is analogous with sitting near a roaring fireplace. If one doesn't feel the warmth, guess who moved away from the fire. Similarly if one doesn't feel the warmth of God's presence, guess who moved? Not God. He is Emmanuel, "God with us!"

Psalm 73:28 reminds us "it is good to be near God."

The verse continues, "I have made the Lord God my Refuge." Psalm 46:10 expands the thought giving understanding of the resulting strength that comes to one who chooses the nearness of God as a refuge. When I "move away" from that nearness, I suffer, as do others around me.

I know because I have chosen my own strength these past weeks and thus failed miserably! 

Control. Dread. Fear. Insensitivity. Ire. Irritability.  By-products of my own life when I move away from the warmth of His love,  

As a new year approaches, I hope to change my direction moving closer to Him.  May I allow that nearness of Him, to not only give me refuge but His strength as well. 

Nearness to Him is the essential for Christ-like living. 

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE

Where does encouragement end and self-aggrandizement begin?

Scripture reminds us the importance of doing 3 things in secret; fasting, giving and praying.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6, KJV)

Certainly "the" closet, or war room as Priscilla Shirer states, is not just a "supply" closet. One doesn't just open the door to ask for "things" but rather to enter into the Lord's presence in order to strengthen one's relationship with Him.

My quandary yesterday was whether to tell someone "important" of my intercession on his behalf. While "lunching" with dear friend, Nancy E. downtown at The Little Tea Shop, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, came in.

He was greeted by many folks familiar to him. I, on the other hand, was in no way familiar to him. However, I felt compelled to approach him just to say thanks for  serving in a difficult position and working hard to protect our city. (Jeremiah 29:7)

My commendation was accompanied with a hug and the statement that I pray for him every Saturday. He replied saying, "I need at least 18 thank you hugs a day and I really need and appreciate your prayers."

Did I cross the line of encouragement? I hope not. I do think one's motive is revealed by one's heart attitude. I truly have been thankful for his intervention in so many impending crisis situations. Of course, blogging about it can up the level toward self-aggrandizement so I hope readers will see it as a reminder to choose encouragement----thank those who serve us and maybe even give them a hug.

First of all, then I urge that petitions, prayers and intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Therefore, I want men everywhere to pray.....(1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8, BSB--emphasis mine)

Then, if you choose to pray for them as well, and choose to encourage by sharing this intercession with another.....well, that's between you and God.

choose quietness

Choose quietness---I do. 

"A place of quiet rest. A place of comfort sweet. A place of full release." (Near to the Heart of God)

How much easier to choose quietness when the Lord sends enough snow to "white out" a busy agenda. 

"Snow" angel to beckon me----"Nearer my God to Thee."

"Schedules. Commitments. So much to do, so little time" is how LaGard Smith puts it in Meeting God in Quiet Places.

I choose to linger, to tarry and to move into God's Presence. Usually that results in prayer---a sort of "tarry one for another" moment. (1 Corinthians 11:33)

I'm not sure where this tarrying will lead, I just know that today..........

I choose quietness near to the heart of God.

Understanding Equations

 Maybe a better blog title would be misunderstanding equations especially those with variables on both sides. Therefore I simplified.
However, there are some equations of excellence----those number sentences which make sense to Christians. The helpful ones in times of struggle. I came across these in my 10/16/13 journal entry. (H2H source unknown).

In all the variables of life, believers must factor in God's Presence. 

Focusing on His Presence  turns misunderstandings into equations of excellence.

Signposts

Signposts. Sometimes they are hard to see, aren't they?
God's word offers so many signals, signs, and guidance for life. Yet, sometimes in a hard place, I'm not quite sure of God's will on that particular situation.

I would like signs as clearly posted as the ones offering directions for this week's VBS kids at First Evan. Wouldn't you?
Maybe the answer was reflected in the entrance sign.
Enter here.

Entering into His Presence is the "signpost" for the best place to start---His Presence is base camp for the Christian who seeks to gain strength and power to move on up in his/her spiritual life.

Dis-TEA-ractions

But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. 

(Psalm 66:19, NASB)

"Prayer is waking up to the Presence of God no matter where I am or what I'm doing." (Benedictine monk, David Steindl) 

In God's Presence. It's my favorite way to wake-up---but sometimes it seems short-lived, as I begin to hear the daily distractions instead of hearing the Lord. His "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12) seems to get fainter with each hour. God continues to direct  His voice to ears of love....but it takes steadfast love from His children to listen "intentionally", for even His faintest whispers.

And help me keep my mind on my prayers....and not on that TV show Daddy's watchin''
 or Billy jumpin' on the bed or whatever Jeffy is mumbling or...Family Circus, 9/4/10

Praises that today the Lord did hear my prayer amidst the extraneous noises----a prayer answered in spite of my cuppa dis-TEA-ractions. He listens---so should I!

But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Same verse, different version--NLT!