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 ANTONYMS

When reading Philippians 2:14, Do all things without grumbling or disputing, Pastor Cole introduced the term, captious as a synonym for the word grumbling, when used as an adjective. A grumbling person. A "Crankshaft" of sorts. 

Captious. Fault finding. Petty. Hard to please.

I don't want to be a captious Christian. Captious folks can't get close to God.
I don't want that descriptor to be applied to me.

So....I looked up antonyms for it. Instead I was overwhelmed with synonyms---28 to be exact!

Cantankerous, carping, hypercritical, nagging, testy......to name a few!

I had to search hard for some antonyms, which in this case were "positives." I don't want it to be that way in my life. I don't want folks to have to really search to find some positive descriptors based on my attitude and word choices.

Today I choose antonyms of captious....but I can only find 6. 

Commendatory, complimentary, encouraging, flattering, laudatory and praising.

Of the 6, commendatory, complimentary, flattering and laudatory seemed more "works" based to me.

That narrowed my "choices" to encouraging and praising. I focus my praising on the Lord.

Therefore, I choose encouraging even though I know that means changing some "words" for the ones whom I love most. More loving and encouraging words than training and disciplining words.

May i continually choose to display antonyms of captious in my life!

"Proximi-TEA" : a 3rd cuppa

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; (Psalm 73:28, NASB)

"Tea with Thee" is all about verse 28 in Psalm 73.

I am no where near Memphis at the moment---think, a rainy PGA championship in Louisville, Ky......but during my quiet time, my location doesn't matter. 
All that truly matters is my proximi-TEA to Him.
Proximini-TEA---an intimate cuppa.

"Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer, to Thee." (Cokesbury Hymnal (1923), 83)

"proximi-TEA"

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.....(James 4:8, ESV)

Proximity can indicate being close---whether in space or in relationship. These days there are even sensors to measure proximity----sensors able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact----possibly being used, along with satellites, in the search for the missing Malaysia Flight 370 jet.

When I spend time in God's Word, I can sense the nearness of His Spirit, without physical contact as well.

My "Tea with Thee" times are showing me the importance of nearness to the Lord. Intimacy comes with closeness. Proximi-TEA is key. It tends to open my soul to His Presence.
Sometimes I "arrive" at this point through prayer or a verse from scripture. Today, recalling the words of an old hymn (sung with Mama Davenport standing by my side) and humming that tune of "Near to the Heart of God" drew me right into His holy Presence.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God. (verse 2, UMC, 472)

Proximi-TEA says it all---open Bible on my lap with my cuppa in one hand and my heart in His.