PITHY PONDERINGS!

How doe one survive the storms of life?

(Tim Keller faith in Christ reminder to "rest in Him."

Hope in the One whose name is majestic in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1, 9)

He is "our" God.

In short, to survive the storms of life, stay in the boat with Him!

BLESSINGS OF WISDOM!

GOD'S WISDOM is a big blessing in one's life!!

Fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10)

WISDOM GIVES-----

EYES to see!

EARS to hear!!

HEART to respond!!!

The call of wisdom to the way of wisdom.........has one "walking in the way of insight," (Proverbs 9:6) with God's blessing of discernment!

May I pass on the way of wisdom to others, especially my grandchildren!!!!!!!!!

MESSY MONDAY!

LIFE IS MESSY!

Especially on Mondays. For Sundays to be serene, I must be still, quit striving and let go of emails and texts. Then when I awaken to a new day, portals need to be finished for tomorow's doc appointment, text and emails answered but my internet* is missing & that's messy!

Think, non-existent atop this mountain ridge. 

Unraveling comes to mind.

Before I had a complete "come apart",  I needed to have a cuppa sani-TEA and get back into the Psalms. All that's necessary is a Bible. 

Grateful I found notes I had taken yesterday---from Psalms 104 (BC FUMC) and Psalm 1 (FEC Memphis) 

Praises for reminders ---Reading aloud Psalm 104 3x and noting words/verses that "jumped off page" and into my heart! 

MEDITATION kept jumping!

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.(Psalm 104:34)

Psalm 1 notes---Blessed (intensely happy and "gets it right"-- Pace)

is the man (a regular person, not  a king or scholar or man of note)

embracing these negatives of actions....

walks not in counsel of wicked...

stands not in the way of sinners....

sits not in the seat of scoffers ie scorners.... 

Yet, the positive stood out to me. 

but he delights in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Think exercising your mind to dwell on a passage. Think deeply. Ponder. 

Meditation turned my "Messy Monday" into Meditation Monday."

*Internet back @ 1:03 pm EST

MOVE FORWARD FEARS!

Move forward in faith----not fear!

Medical fears! How can that be when I belong to the Great Physician?!

The fears I feel, in response to the growing impact of amyloids, stroke, and heart issues are not from Him!

2 Timothy 1:7  reminds me, He does not give the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Not sure how much soundness is left in my mind......but God, is the One whom I trust even in the midst of these fluctuating medical issues, a "mess" of emotions, a "kaleidoscope of feelings." AKA fear.

Lord, this week I seek to exercise, sound mind----self- control, good & sound judgment, and wise discretion, no matter how I define it. Self-preservation needs to take a back seat to Your glory. I need to move forward in faith.

May I learn to handle my pain/fears with hope because I trust in you.

PLS--PLEASE & THANK YOU----for the power, love and self-discipline you have given me for this season.

MONDAY MUSINGS!

As I prepare for today's trip to new cardiologist, I need to cultivate new "heart habits"..........more spiritual than physical. Gratitude for a spouse who has become my "uber" to numerous medical centers in far away places. Acceptance of no longer driving.  

A heart habit of praise and worship! Lead me Lord in this new season of heartache......pain, fear and disappointments.

May I lean into the Most High and abide in His shadow.(Psalm 91:1) 

Help me, Almighty God, to abound in this new season regardless of the circumstances! 

A new year to abide and abound!

SAVIOR = REDEMPTION

REDEEMER.....every Jesus follower has the One who is true!

How do we know? The Bible tells us so!

Redemption is an act of being saved from sin, error or evil. Similar to regaining possession of.....like clearing a debt. In biblical terms it involves deliverance from bondage based on payment of price by a redeemer.

For believers Jesus has redeemed us from alienation from God through the  death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:7)

REJOICE-----

        REDEEMED ONES!

MEDITATE AND MARINATE!

It is Monday! Meditation Monday!

Recently Pastor Scotty Smith added a new verb, think herb, to times of meditation. After this past week, it 's what I need.

His words. His power.

When one meditates, sometimes a little spice is needed, especially when one is aging and weary. Smith suggests "trusting the Lord with our fears and weaknesses.....especially as we meditate on His Word, marinate in the Gospel and keep your gaze tied on Jesus."

So....it's back to my prayer chair with gospel-icious meditation marinated with salt from the Psalms. (Psalm 71:18, Psalm 9:1, Psalm 40:5, Psalm 117:10, Psalm 96:3)

5 IMPORTANT WORDS!❗️

Important words come from scripture! Truth from above 5 words!

Truth from the first five words in 1 Peter 2:21…….

             “ to this you were called,”

A big thanks to Nancy E. For this reminder.

Prayer is not useless.

Prayer is THE work!

God gives His people His work to do. 

Christ is your example. 

Be alone with Him!

Seek Him through His Word! (Jeremiah 29:13)

Seek His leading for you. 

THEN, follow in His steps!

1 Peter 2:21 “in 5 words or less” in 5 sentences. 

It’s “Meditation Monday”…..

Think on these things!

GOD IS ABLE!

HE IS ABLE!

Exhaustion makes tasks seem insurmountable. (Pace McKee, 9/15/24)

R elease

E xhaustion.

S tilless

T rumps.

I tend to fill useless when I'm not "doing."

REST to puncture your pride! 

God is able....without you but it pleases Him to use you for His purpose.

His purpose brings Him glory. His glory is for my good. Amen!

HOPE AS A "KNOW SO"

Last month's The Best Times Faith and Hope section by Truth Seekers Fellowship Stacy Tyson focused of My One Word for 2024.....HOPE! Of course, I had to take notes. Cause, that's what I do!

One more Monday's Meditation on his scriptural truth notes.

HOPE---defined from a Biblical position. (my paraphrases with additions)

• Hope is a confident expectation things will turn out well turn out well because our Father God who promises is faithful. Hope is built on HIs past works. 
• Hope is NOT just wishful thinking. 
• Hope is built of Father God's trustworthy word and His past works..  
• My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; Cokesbury hymnal, p, 24)
• There is an old saying, A person can live 40 days with out food, 3 days without water, about 3 minutes without air, but not 3 seconds without hope."
• Hope is essential to life.

Everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and and through encouragement of the Scriptures we way have hope. (Romans 15:4, emphasis mine)

So.....Know the "know so" of True Hope!

LEFT HANGING!

Ever been in a lurch?! A vulnerable and unsupported position.

Think……….left hanging!    Dangling!!

Even worse......hanging upside down for almost 30 minutes! 

It can happen anytime. Anywhere! (Even peeing and vomiting) It doesn't have to be on a broken 10 story high pendulum ride at Oaks Park amusement park  in Oregon.

Precarious pendulum dubbed AtmosFEAR had commentators' catastrophic remarks loudly calling out, "Oh my God...." and "Jesus Christ."

I prayed for safety of the riders along with hopes that the commentator who used the personal pronoun "my" for God, truly knew Him. Who do people call out to in distressing, uncertain times? We all know the "correct" answer. 

But God.....puts answers in His Word.* During stress, those might come quickly or maybe relegated to one word. "Help."

But God won't leave you hanging!

*Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - (Isaiah 41:10)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - (Joshua 1:9)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble....(Psalm 46:1)

He asks us to take our fears, worries, and anxieties to Him because He cares about us and wants good things for our lives (1 Peter 5:7).

MONDAY MUSINGS!

After the "Billboard Beckoned" on Saturday we spent some time in....

this sweet and savory place! My camera took over to supply me with scripture and thoughts to think and rethink. Meditation. More for others than self as needs are great for many people in my life who need to be covered with prayer.

For readers, choose one for your own Monday musing.

 The cardinal one is for my KY family and friends having gone through many trials as a result of storms during severe weather days.*

God is worth it all.....even the wait for the storms to pass.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks him. (Lamentations 3:25)

In times of trouble it's good to remember to whom you belong.

All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

(John 17:10)

Don't lose hope!

THINK ON THESE THINGS! (PHILIPPIANS 4:8)

*....or at least muse for a moment until your electricity comes back on and your recliner works again.....and thanks for making me laugh!

BUT GOD.................

BUT GOD--a phrase that stays,--- in my mind that is!*

A prepositional phrase that speaks to my heart time and time again. "45 times" in the Bible according to Desiring God. 

At yesterday's UM Commencement I was enthralled by the mortarboard designs! Such variations! Guess which one caught my attention!

 

"But God Moments" follow a time of despair or crisis, signifying a pivotal change brought about by divine intervention. They reveal God's ultimate authority and transformative power in seemingly hopeless situations. "BUT GOD" moments signify God's mercy, deliverance and strength in adversity. (Dr. Chris Caster, Christ Church)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

I'm "being still" but you, dear reader, may shout, "AMEN!"

*It was also a fave phrase of church friend, Martha R.

MONDAY MOUTHFUL!

Much munching on Scotty Smith's devotional this morning.

A pastor who can go from French to slang in capturing our earthly mission in and for Christ.

Powerful words that justify our existence.

Glory for sure!

LEANING!

When my mind goes 1,000 directions at once, I know to lean into the Lord.

I have options.....Plan A., Plan B., Plan C., etc. Just in case.

God has only 1 plan. His! 

He knows the plan He has uniquely for each of us. 

His plans give a future and a hope!(Jeremiah 29:11)

This meditation Monday, "Lean in,  listen to the LORD of Hope." 

Follow His plan for your life today!

HIDING PLACE

Hide me O Lord. May I and others (Nancy E., Sandra F., Terry T, Katya B., Reardons) find refuge under your wings as we are covered with your pinions. (Psalm 91:4)

As we start our day with You, cuppa in hand and Bible open on lap, may we call to You in this time of trouble.

Thou art a believer's refuge, strength, comfort, fortress, protector, shield, buckler and dwelling place. Today may all in need hide and abide in the shadow of the Almighty, our Most High God! (Psalm 32:7)

BE STILL!

Can God use fatigue to "make" you be still in order to know that He is God!

Will let you know after my next nap!

ABIDE!

ABIDE! Love that word!

In fact, I love all of John 15.

It was a significant chapter for me in beginning to seek God's Word for truth.

As always, Scottie Smith gives me new insight!

Keep stunning and saturating us with your truth O Lord as we  seek Thee. 

You're easy to find when your addresses is our heart!

May I continue to think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

You ask me How I know He lives, He lives within my  heart!

SEEKING!

Seeking?

Ask yourself this question.

What am I seeking after? Truly seeking!?

1)One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.(Psalm 27:4)

2)You have said, "Seek My face." My heart says to you,"Your face LORD, do I seek."  (Psalm 27:8)

3)But seek first HIs kingdom and His righteousness. and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Still Seeking?

Be still and listen to what the LORD is saying to you as you read the above verses aloud. 1, 2, or all 3!

H.A.S.

Come back later for Meditation Monday entry. I'm walking in circles with little bandwidth!