PORTMANTEAU

Portmanteau---a suitcase opening flat with two equal sides. But....that's not what this entry concerns. It's just to give you a mental image of 2 parts into 1 whole. Now, think two words combined to give one entirely new thought.

Wordsmith's have long had a way of creating their own words. At our house the kids became familiar with an entirely new vocabulary created by their dad. 

Portmanteau words in my past seem to "stick" long before I knew they were a literary device. 

 

Brunch, at our house meant Mother's bridge club was coming and brunch (a repast between breakfast and lunch) would be served. Sporks would be provided if cobbler with ice cream followed as this spoon fork utensil would be perfect. Plus, it took up less room on their "card table."

Literary devices make some of these creations "legit" by "naming them."

• hungry + angry = hangry
• IPod + broadcast = podcast
• situational + comedy = sitcom
• smoke + fog = smog
• emotional + icon = emoticon

 

...created character combos side ways on keyboard to save space

Wordsmiths love combining words to make new words.

Recently I began using selrel as a negative in my journal jottings.

My portmanteau for self reliance. Two words together for one meaning. 

Trying "to do" all  in your own strength. 

SELREL----Think antonym for God's strength.

Selrel--won't become legit in the linguistic world, but it's an "in your face" reminder for me to BEWARE---of looking to self for strength instead of leaning into the LORD, who is our strength. (Psalm 46:1)

SUSTAINING GRACE FOR ALL OUR YEARS!

Too often my weariness and complaining spirit of aging maladies becomes an audacity or impudence of sorts to those who age well. Cast your cares on God and He'll sustain you.(Psalm 55:22)

Some folks make 95 look great! 

Bobbie Scholik does just that! Check out that smile & she had not even been out of the hospital for 24 hours! Of course, it helps to have son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Jamie, who are great caregivers. I was a drop -in visitor and I was the one who left with the biggest blessing!

I was reminded of the comfort God's word brings as I pushed the down button on the elevator.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

More specifically....."Even to your old age and gray hairs.....I am He who will sustain you. " (Isaiah 46:4)

O Lord, may I have "ears to hear" of your sustaining grace as I age.

NO POWER!!

Without Power

No Power; No such thing!

No electricity. Yes! 

Day 3 of that COLD reality in  Memphis.

But God......in His love granted mercy in the midst of 21º temps and limbs blocking our garage and driveway but not hitting our house!. 

A gas fireplace. A gas stovetop. Gracious neighbors.  

Our house knows the One who is our power. That's His greatest mercy.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29, NLT)

WEARY WORDS

Lord, I'm so weary and yet you blessed me with an incredible week with family! ALL 17 of us!

Then....I opened, seeing beautiful again. There it was. God's word! 

The very words I needed for my day!

He gives strength to the weary 

and 

increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)*

Strengthen me by the power of your might today, O Lord that I might walk worth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.....regardless of my physical and emotional fatigue!

*Font used was "Dancing Script" to remind me to start dancing again----right after my nap!

AAA---a “Triple A” Truth

5 /4/12 Mulling over Monday’s (4/30) Jesus Calling entry for several days, I have become increasingly aware of my inadequacy and God’s adequacy. I think that might be right where God wants me.

Almighty’s Adequacy Awareness---all about my awareness of Almighty God’s adequacy in my life. 

AAA Help for on and off the Road

Sometimes life’s bumps in the road feel more like an emergency, a crisis that needs immediate attention. Triple A (AAA ®) motor club advertises such assistance (listed below) for those of us on our nation’s highways. What about our spiritual highways and byways? Who gives us assistance when we break down?

• 5 miles of free towing---God alone pulls believers out of the pit and is willing to go the distance, not just a few miles. “In my distress I called to the Lord, I cried to my God for help…He heard my voice;…He reached down…He rescued me… the Lord was my support” (Psalm 18: 6, 16-18)

• AAA Mobile Battery service comes to you---my battery doesn’t even need to be delivered---the transfer of energy in my life takes place within---(“gift of the Spirit,” Acts 2:38)

• Trip Continuance up to $1,000---no limit to His provision as I stay on the life road He has for me—“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because he delighted in me”. (Psalm 18:19)

• Vehicle Locksmith up to $50—again without charge, I am signed and sealed. Signed with His blood and “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13)

• Fuel Service Delivery - but you pay fuel---with the Lord, I pay nothing---His power is always available, a gift---free of charge and environmentally friendly---“to him who lacks might, He increases power,” (Isaiah 40:29)

• Car theft reward - $1,000—no one can take me from His hand---“I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (II Timothy 1:12)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9)

I interpret weakness as inadequacy---my inadequacy. Be Aware reader, life is all about His Almighty Adequacy. That’s a AAA truth for sure!