SERMON ON A SIGN!

Sermon on a Sign.......more than just words in passing!

Heart Grabbing! Pithy with a punch!

A sermon message in a few choice words.....backed up by Scripture & found by Aubrey and Gayle on a road in MS.

Rather train yourself for righteousness (1 Timothy 4:7b)

Resist the devil. (James 4:7)

....what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Thanks Goodman Oaks Church of Christ for boldly sharing God's truth on your church sign!

walk....Walk.....WALK!!

So-o-o many different words for walk.

walk, all lower case..... amble. dawdle. mosey. perambulate.saunter. stroll. wander.

Think meandering.

Walk with a capital W.....Glide. Hike. Pace. Patrol. Sashay. Stride.Tiptoe. Tread.

Think Variety.

WALK WITH ALL CAPS.....CLOMP. MARCH. PLOD. SLOG. STOMP. TRUDGE.

THINK EMOTIONAL PURPOSE!!

To me, some "walk" words connote "darkness." Prowl. Stalk. Swagger. Strut.

How are Christians to walk, Walk or WALK in their lives?

In Scripture walking = living out one's beliefs.

By the Spirit---Galatians 5:16

Humbly with God---Micah 6:8

In Christ---Colossians 2:8

In the light---1 John 1:7

In truth---Psalm 86:11

Uprightly---Isaiah 57:2

Worthy---Ephesians 4:1

How will you walk today? Will each step you take represent your faith in Jesus?

"SONSHINE"

A good beginning to my day starts with a "cuppa."

Today's tea was a much needed black tea with caffeine!

It came came with a message. Its own moniker. "A SIP OF SUNSHINE."

Just what I needed----or thought I needed.

As I picked up my Bible, I knew I needed more. More of Jesus. 

"More of Thee less of me" as a "notation" reminded me.

"I am not enough, but Jesus is." (Cole, 5/8/22)

I'll have a second cuppa and sweeten it with gra-TEA-tude!

SONSHINE! The true sunshine I need in my life comes from Him. 

May God's Son shine through  me today.( Micah 6:8)

4th OF JULY

Independence! (Allen Bible Church, RightNow Media)

I needed this reminder, today. How about you?

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

CHOOSE : EXACTNESS

How does one choose exactness?
Need a blueprint? Need specifications of where to walk? How to walk?
(Psalm 119:3, Psalm 128:1, Micah 6:8)

An architect's rendering to good relationships?
How to build one another up? There's a a blue print in God's word. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

A voice coach? Choose right words---let yes be yes and no be no---(Matthew 5:37)
....with the right tone and voice inflection.
Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Often in difficult places and conversations, it's important to choose exactness.

Time Compulsive

"TIME COMPULSIVE"---it's what I am---in all caps! 

Sweet church friend, Sally K's, mom used to tell her that she had no concept of time. That sounds like a luxury to me. No one would ever describe me in those terms. 

My family members have a variety of different descriptive words for my disorder----pretty "spot on" in a fun way. 

Clocks adorn every room. My favorite fashion accessory is a watch with large numbers and my favorite home decor is my "Pap's" (Adams) pocket watch which I had mounted. 

I even dubbed myself time compulsive in 2 blogs from earlier years---Journal Jottings in 2/21/09 and Time Compulsion...5/18/10. You'd think I'd learn that this "worrying habit" gets me nowhere fast. There is no time redemption in time compulsion, especially as one ages. It just takes longer to do less, not to mention how fast the years passing.

In God's time economy, there's always time for all that he requires. "Do Justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) Even when I have too much "on my plate," the Lord has a way of redeeming my time when I spend time with Him first. The busyness gives way to a God-paced life.  For me, it seems that much more is accomplished for His glory when I "go" His pace. I can leave the tension and stress of my own frenzy in the dust.

Of course, regardless of my "compusivi-TEA," there's always time for a cuppa tea in my day!

A Life Well-Lived

 “Life well-lived” was the phrase I heard several times at today’s  funeral for Dr. A.B. “Bud” Weir. 

A God-honoring life. 

A life devoted to his wife and service to others. 

A life that embodied Micah 6:8……as for many years both he and his wife, Sunny, walked humbly with their God. 

Fully devoted, faithful to the Lord and faithful to each other. 

On fire for God. Follower of Jesus Christ.

I know this to be true because of the heritage I have seen in Dr. Weir’s children and in the grandchildren whom I know. Bud Weir “walked his talk” as the pastor said, and passed the spiritual baton on to each of his four children.

He shared his life in love and service to family, friends and many others whose paths he crossed. He shared his faith that never wavered, and he shared his hope that was based on eternal truth from God’s word.

In essence, Dr. Weir's legacy outlives his life because his family carries on the spiritual impact left by their father. 

That, my friends, is truly “a life well lived!”

A Cuppa Necessi-TEA

......And what does the LORD require of you But....to love kindness, And to walk humbly.... ?(Micah 6:8, KJV)

A cup of tea, fast internet connection and a trustworthy best friend are some of the bare necessities of modern life, according to a Daily Mail internet survey. Also included were television, iPhone, and a car. Naturally, a cup of tea was #1, as the survey was done among the Brits. As a tea lover, I concur. I would also add a crossword puzzle to my list and a FRIXiON Clicker 07 erasable pen. 

This past week I have experienced life in a place with no daily weather reports, (unless one requested them)----we just walked outside for a temp ck and looked up to see the cloud cover---or lack there of. At home, the weather can tend to rule conversation and scheduling. 

I knew little of the world's happening---Seattle slayings or Ebola possibility until I returned home. It was a welcome respite from the barrage of negative news which tend to overtake our media and can make me feel sad and helpless.

No cell reception, limited TV (by choice) and a car that stayed "mostly" parked was very welcome. We tooled around in a golf cart. Even food, which is a universal necessity, was "eating what was at hand." (OK, so much of what was "at hand" was delivered by Chef, Simon.) But....bacon and eggs and a simple grilled cheese are equally good to curb one's hunger.

Much of the preceding list was "tongue-in-cheek" as a way of emphasizing some of the less important things which many folks consider physical necessities. What about spiritual necessities?

But God.....has a way of narrowing down true necessities to kindness and humility----using those "times away" to draw one unto Himself. Heart preparation can occur in the still moments so that the bulldozer of God's Spirit can arrive and begin to touch our soul each day in a new way. True relational necessities linked and strengthened with those spiritual chains of shared-faith.

Sharing morning devotions around a table after laughing over unique breakfast choices, think "sweets." Sharing and caring. 

Celebrating life.....whether in song and dance with "toasts," or in the simple acts of a Scrabble game or singing hymns with lots of la-la-las when no one can quite remember all the words.

Doing dishes together at the sink. Pooling our minds together to come up with a crossword answer or just a random fact that somehow escapes our memories.....until later. Then, we're free to shout it out, without condemnation.

A cuppa spiritual necessi-TEA sweetened with relational integrity and served with kindness and humility.

elemen-TEA-ry

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8, ESV)

Hubby and I are both Sherlock Holmes fans. We don't belong to the Baker Street Irregulars nor do we don deerstalker hats to celebrate His possible birthday of January 6. After all he is a fictional character. But....we appreciates both the written and television works based on his detection skills. BBC/PBS is filmed in London. The locale is familiar. The acting incredible. Even the CBS contemporary update, set primarily in NYC is enjoyable. Plus, Watson is a female. A novel approach.
Film and TV productions have used the Holmes line, which he uttered to Watson, that is recognized by anyone over 60. "Elementary, my dear Watson." 

Elementary. The obvious. The basics. Simple truths. Recognizable by those truly seeking. Foundational for deduction and spiritual understanding.

All this to say, that in the Christian faith, there are some elementary truths that all denominations hang their hats on.

My favorite "BASIC" verses (emphasis, mine):

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
• Serve the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:2)
• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and (love) your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
• Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)
• Serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:3)
• Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• In everything give thanks....(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God...(2 Timothy 3:16)

Just the basics---elementary truths. A cuppa elemen-TEA-ry sweetened with God's truths which Christians should sip every day.

"sen-TEA-ment"

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself....(Acts 20:24, KJV)

Sipping my morning brew from a cuppa with much sentimental value had warm nostalgia tugging at me as I began my Tea With Thee time. Certainly, there is a place for sentimentality in our lives. My "stuff" reflects my sentimental nature. I have LOTS of sentimental "tea" items.

But God....through today's My Utmost for His Highest entry, "Could This Be True of Me?" (3/4) got my attention. "It is easier to serve God without a vision (or call) because then you are not bothered by what God requires." Oswald Chambers likened such behavior as "actions guided by common sense, veneered over with Christian sen-TEA-ment."  Not focusing on "what God requires." Service for the Lord is NOT a place for sentiment. Sentiment can give a distorted spiritual picture. More me than Thee. Just a veneer to make my service look pretty.

Chambers' entry spoke to my heart because I am so influenced by my emotions and feelings----that it can become a detriment. Plus, I'm pragmatic to the core and both emotions and practicality can be a deterrent to "abandonment to God." (Chambers)

May I pray, as Chambers concluded. "Lord may I not consider if I am of use but may I only consider that I am Yours. May I serve You and do only what you require---act with justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you, O God." (Micah 6:8)

humiliTEA

1/24/12 It's official---Micah 6:8 is going to be my focused verse for 2012.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

When it became part of Pastor Cole's message on January 15, I felt that strong NUDGE to take this verse to heart. I also was convicted of not only a lack of kindness in my heart but also a need to get a better grasp on humility.

So....this week I'll be serving up a cup of humiliTEA for self and any readers needing to imbibe. Hopefully even our individual hearts will begin to absorb it.

For too long my life progressed in a carefully planned (by me) venture. Concentration was on accomplishment of goals, all usually written down, for self and children. Right times, right ways, always safe, always under control. (my control, so I thought) Lists were made, checked off (even prayer ones) and I moved on. Then came a period of the realization of how off-course I was. What was I thinking?

God was in control----had always been and would always be. His will was being done. I needed to align my will with His. I needed to "walk humbly" with my God. Bendable and flexible for God's purposes. (Huffman, 1/15/12)

A cuppa of humiliTEA with a bit of humble pie sounds like a good start.

CLEAR DIRECTIONS

1/17/12 I long to clearly understand God's plan for me, especially now that I am retired. Generally I know the Lord's requirements from Micah 6:8. But.....I want specifics for ministry. Service to others. I want to hear it loud and clear. So far, I've realized His plans for me, after the fact.
Last week's BSF lesson #14 gave a verse for understanding God's guidance.

Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

That's it----that's just what I want. His voice of direction. If I can't hear it, then I'd like to see it---something I can't miss! Like the signs at St. Jude that recently led me to the Grizzlies' House from the hospital.

You're headed in the right direction.

Keep going. Almost there.


None of the aforementioned options, verbal or visible, are occurring. So....what's a gal to do?

I will keep putting one foot in front of the other---after I've spent time with Him. Clearly directing me might not be a piece of cake for Him....but God....can use His principle of inertia on me. I am definitely one of those folks resistant to change. As long as I'm moving, maybe He can just continue to twist and turn and nudge me until I have ears to hear or eyes to see.

Maybe His "mapped out" plan for me isn't one of clear direction but one of plain ole trust.

Dotsy's "Verse" Quandry

1/2/12 Yesterday's calendar box read, January 1. I know that's New Year's Day---but it certainly didn't feel like New Year's Day. There was no "Rose Parade"---a MUST for me. No big bowl games. I observed it with church attendance, a long afternoon nap and the requisite black-eyed peas. Yet, somehow the day was off-kilter for me.
New Year's Day is a time for selecting my year's verse, for selecting passages for Allen Bible Church and for organizing my prayer plan and starting a new journal. None of that got done.

Why not? I honestly don't know. Maybe my structure doesn't fit His plan for my new year. Maybe it's to be more about His ways than mine. More of Thee and less of me comes to mind.
With what shall I come to the Lord? (Micah 6:6a)

For today, I'm "trying on" Micah 6:8. If it fits, maybe it will become my year's verse.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and for what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Just 3 aspects of life that are biggies in one's walk with God---justice, kindness, humility. Three infinitives, to do, to love and to walk---all requiring humility of spirit.

C. H. Spurgeon states, .....humility here prescribed involves constant communion with God (the preposition "with", speaks volumes to me)..... this humility implies constant activity (walking in humility is good spiritual exercise).....humility here prescribed implies constancy (it's continual, not just sometimes) and delightful confidence. (because "your" is the pronoun for "my" God) (Sermon #2328, 8/22/1889) Parenthetical additions are my THOTS. What are yours?

Unfulfilled Expectations….

6/22/10 ….are expectations sometimes imposed by others sometimes self-inflicted. An acquaintance might casually say, “Let’s get together soon.” A lonely person might cling to that only to be disappointed. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:” Proverbs 13:12a. Or as one ages, the reality of some hopes on her “bucket list” no longer being attainable can also bring disappointment. A sadness of sorts. Though “Miss Berta” learned to water ski in her 80s, most folks reach physical limitations as they age and begin realizing that certain physical feats are now beyond them.

One might have to give up the expectation of reading all the books he/she once vowed to read or traveling to all those “10001 places to see before you die” mandate given by those who do travel.
We can assume (though wrongly) that life will always be perfect/easy if we do all the “right things”. Then, comes the reality/loss---often it’s the loss of those false assumptions or unrealistic expectations. Judith Viorst wrote an entire book on change and adaptation---necessary for different seasons in our lives. Necessary Losses: the Loves, Illusions, Dependencies, and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow. (Even to grow up spiritually, I think.)

These past few weeks I have been striving for perfection in a world of messy imperfections and have had several “come aparts.” I had to give it up and grow up. I had to give up those self-imposed expectations, which really were unrealistic, and once again learn to live in the moment. I want to be fulfilled and realistic. I want to give up my pride--- E.G.O. is edging God out---and live up to His expectations. Remember the verse from Micah 6: 8 where we are told His expectations? And what does the LORD require of you 
but to do justice, to love kindness,
 And to walk humbly with your God?
Now that’s realistic!

Strawless in Dallas

11/3/09 The call came from the doctor’s office late yesterday afternoon---food allowed albeit with restrictions. Soft foods are best. Eat others with caution and care because remaining mouth stitches have not dissolved. Continue to swish and spit with antibacterial rinse but bottom teeth may be carefully brushed with my tiny “Elmo” toothbrush and “sensitive” gel. All of this was good news and Mary Flo prepared some luscious Yukon gold mashed potatoes, “Neiman Marcus style,” in celebration. Delish!

Today we have to go to pick up a prescription “redo” in Allen, TX where Buddy and Day live so we plan to take them to lunch. Larry and I have become consumed with all the available options! We have planned to treat loved ones to lunch---God is directing our steps. A great idea came---simply lunch, with a simple Memphis connection.

Recently, my friend Katherine and I went to the movie, “Julie and Julia.” There were some life lessons in that movie as a young Julie sought to cook her way through Julia Child’s, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, (524 recipes) in one year and to “blog” about her culinary adventure. Her first attempt, “Potage Parmentier,” had been described by Julia as “simplicity itself to make.” Simplicity! Isn’t that what we all crave? Don’t we all need to pare down---not just in cooking and eating, but in life? What is essential?

Sometimes less is better. Too many options can weigh us down. I can wear myself out trying to decide what is best. Simplicity of “straw dining” has had its benefits. Potato-leek soup from Short Stop in Snider Plaza was one—it must have been made the Julia Child way with heavy cream. It went easily through my straw, tasted yummy and filled my tummy. Nothing else was needed.

Paring down keeps life simpler and that can be a good thing. Sometimes there’s way too much on my plate. Today I desire only God’s requisite essentials for my life.

“He has told you, O man, what is good.: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Essentials. Simply put. All I need for today!