hARDWIRED FOR HOPE!

Day 1 of 40 Days of Hope reminded me that true lasting hope is never found horizontally.

True lasting hope is only ever found vertically, at the feet of the Messiah, the One who is hope. (Tripp, p.11)

HOPE GALORE FOR 2024

Hope Needed. Hope Found. In God's Word.

I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20)

Hope Notes. Underlines in the entry & the marginalia of my New Morning Mercies devotional book. 

Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus!

MESS OF RELATIONSHIPS

I am still meditating on Tripp's 11/14 entry of "Messy Moments" of sin,

In relationships, the DNA of sin is selfishness. 

Sin

Is

Selfishness    Self-absorbed    Self-focused    Self-reliant    Self-righteous    

Sinful "Me-isms" of life require forgiveness, grace and mercy.

God offers lots of Mercy for Messy Sin.

MATURITY!

Mature? Immature?

Physical---look to check growth attributes.

Emotional---look and listen.

Spiritual---compare words with actions.

Didn't think I was too immature until I got to the end of Tyson's list.

Reminder still needed to please God, not man. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

He sees beyond our actions into the motives of our hearts.

We "see" it in our own lives if despair/depression keeps knocking at the door of our mind.

If we compare, we despair. It's up to us to transfer our minds to embrace God's good, pleasing and perfect, will/purpose for our lives.

Paul David Tripp sums it up well. "There is nothing for which we can take credit. All praise, honor, worship, and service go to God and God alone. He sought us. He birthed us. He sustains us. He matures us." (New Morning Mercies, September 24)

That's what maturity looks like......from the inside out! 

SOS ...---...

SOS, in 1905  was a distinct Morse code maritime disaster signal originally used as an assistance request. It has also been used as a visual request with three short, three long, three short flashes of light. 

SOS, by folk etymology, is an abbreviation of Save Our Souls!

That's the SOS appeal that speaks to my heart! I continue to seek the sin that besets my own heart.  Realization.....I need many SOS reminders to save me from myself!

Amos 6:1-7, says, "WOE to those who are at ease.....Are you better than...?

WOE to those...stretched out on their couches.....who sing idle songs, drink wine in bowls,...annoint themselves with fines oils?"

The Lord abhors such pride (v.8) It sounds like the sin of self-satisfaction to me.

How sinful I am! 

Focusing on ease and contentment being great among them. 

Me-ism.(New Morning Mercies, 8/3)

Journal jottings (5 of 10) as meditation on SOS has continued these last 

5 days. But.....examples became a jumble when folks opened the SOS list so....I left one & moved others to end of entry.* 

Sin

Of        

Self      

After my own T.H.O.T. S---Trusting Him On This Subject.....I went to Allacronyms.com  I got more than I bargained for from this on-line Acronyms and Abbreviation Dictionary...1.5k popular meanings of SOS!

So.....I went back to Seeking Only Scripture----the best answer to a distress call for help!

*

Selfishness Of Sin

Stop Overwhelming Sin

Service Over Self

Satan  Owns Sin 

Savior Occludes Sin...........in order to Save Our Souls!

FRIDAY FOCUS!

Friday Focus, again!?

MORE OF THEE. LESS OF ME!

Pithy with a punch. A heart issue.

Easy to know in my head....harder to overflow from my heart & live out.

I must be a slow learner as refocusing is a daily, even hourly occurrence.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but i do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15)

Be gone, self-centeredness! Self-pity stinks!

Today's New Morning Mercies (6/16) entry zeroes in on obstacles of our faith focus.

Self-focus sins that can permeate our actions:

• Nasty retort
• "Me-first pride"
• flash of lust at the mall
• addictions to little pleasures
• impatience with a loved one

.....to name a few. I could lengthen the list as I wait for doctor to return my call....as if I'm his only patient.

O Lord may I refocus....and allow you to rescue me from me!

"FIL' ER UP!"

Fill 'er up, please! 

Ever used that phrase when having a cuppa with friends?

Have you ever been distracted and literally filled to overflowing?

compliments of Doris 

An overflow can happen in your spiritual life and not always for the best reason. First, one must empty self of distractions, expectations, obstacles of worry and opinions, to fully fill up with God's wisdom strength and mercy for the moment.   

Paul David Tripp (New Morning Mercies, 6/07/23) diagnosis is dubbed, "eternity amnesia." A malady that causes one to focus on self-centered wants......which our broken world cannot deliver. The world's inability to deliver disappoints every time.

But God, in his love and mercy, refills us day after day once we've emptied ourselves. (Valley of Vision, Fullness in Christ)

Take your morning empty cuppa, and ask God to "fill 'er up.....so His blessings will runneth over! (Psalm 23)

THE LORD'S PRAYER #2

Our Father which art in heaven.....HALLOWED BE THY NAME! That must be the KJV because those word's came to mind as I recited the Lord's Prayer. NET, which Stacy Tyson quotes, translates "Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored."(NET) Holy. (NLV) Sanctified (TLV)P. D. Tripp says this second part of Jesus' model prayer frames everything that prayer is about.....as it reveals how precious the hallowed grace of Jesus is. (New Morning Mercies, May 5)

Tyson also states "be honored" more literally translates in modern terms as, "Let your name be sanctified." (The Best Times, March 2023)

Sanctified? 

Holy and unique. God worthy of reverential respect and awe as there is none like Him. (Psalm 86:8-9)

These days our prayers to our revered, glorified, worthy of praise Lord are the only Hope for the sanctity of our nation and the world.

THE LORD'S PRAYER!

This prayer, from Matthew 6:9-13 is traditionally known as "The Lord's Prayer." Stacy Tyson, Director of Truth Seekers Fellowship, also sees  "The Disciples" Prayer" as an appropriate title. Tyson looks at the pronoun "Our" as a reminder that believers are not alone. We as members of the household of faith are apart of the family of God.

Not only that, but Jesus invites us to address the One True God as Father. An invitation into relationship with Him. Our Heavenly Father.

Paul David Tripp also sees this opening line of Jesus's model prayer as as glorious and encouraging way to begin our prayers (New Morning Mercies, May 4) 

A beautiful prayer beginning for a child of God---to address the Lord as the One who is our Father.

MONOGRAM

It could be more of a southern tradition but monograms seem important in my "neck of the woods."

My daughter's wardrobe, as a youngster, was filled with monogrammed items and on to baby dishes and other items.

Dresses. Ruffled panties. Burp cloths 

Lockets. Silver baby julep cups. You get the idea.

As a newlywed, I proudly "sported" my new monogram, as most of my newly married friends "sported" theirs. 

My T-Cup travelers have lots of monogrammed items-- purses, towels, travel cups, baskets,  T-shirts...and a few funny stories that accompany them!

These days too many believers seem to be in the throes of "identity amnesia" We have forgotten whose we are! (Tripp, 4/12)

Today, Christian, understand that the most eternally important monogram to wear proudly would be....

............CHILD OF GOD!(1John 3:1)

The monogram that truly counts!

SOVEREIGNTY!

How did you start your day today?

If you started with a cuppa self-sovereign-TEA, I hope you spit it out!

Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies ON Wednesday (3/22) reminded me that too often our behavior can replicate that of our toddlers. Me first. Mine. 

We can be our own worst enemy. We need to be rescued from ourselves!

More of Thee ........less of me!

We need to appropriate more of God's grace.

• Grace gives us hope.
• Grace decimates our delusions of self-sufficiency.
• Grace works on our behalf.
• Grace helps us submit to the true Sovereign God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:10)

Grace rescues us from us.(Tripp, New Morning Mercies, 3/22)

PEACE! PEACE !! PEACE!!!

So many terms for peace; nouns, verbs, (new to me) phrases; and exclamations.

Just check out Paul David Tripp's terms and phrases in my scribblings!

But.........peace can be  so transitory. Just ask your Ukrainian friends. 

True peace in Scripture passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Christ's peace is the sum total of God's blessings to those in his covenant community. In Christ. (Psalm 29:11) Peace with God through Christ Jesus

Peace is a person, and his name is Jesus. (New Morning Mercies, 2/16)

MEASURING UP!

Measuring kids height on the side jambs of an upstairs door was a part of "growing up" at our house. These days it has extended to spouses and grands.

Often kids' friends would measure as well---some "cheating" to make them selves "taller." Years later these friends have brought their kids in to measure on the door & boast of their own measurement. Teddy. Tony. Katy. Stephanie.

What fun---especially when their own kids (Evan) see the discrepancy of height at the tippy-top of the side jamb compared to their true measure.Then they add their own measurements to compare to dad's "correct" one.

  

Measurements are a part of many aspects of life beyond physical to academic or career success, sports' prowess....even spiritual growth. What about righteousness? Could any of us measure up. 

NO is the answer. Paul David Tripp says it best.......Jesus has measured up on your behalf! (New Morning Mercies, January30)

LENS ON LIFE!

Paul David Tripp said it well. Prayer calls one to abandonment and submission. Abandonment of present day reality of self as the only "lens" perspective of life is too prevalent. Submission to Christ requires us to let go of "our" momentary agendas and to be committed to take up His view of eternal hope. 

God cares about our present life---with us, for us and in us.(New Morning Mercies, January 28)

What prepositions for life! But God....goes beyond. Lens that go beyond "the now" to see eternity. It's the "long view."

It's the view of life that opens a door beyond death. 

After four recent funerals, it's the "lens on life" in Christ, which brings hope! AMEN!

DNA OF FAITH

Do you have a DNA in your faith? Is it recognizable in your life?

In other words.....What are the fundamental, distinctive characteristics that are unchangeable in your life of faith?

Foundational tenets of the Christian faith are the Triune God, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the son of God, who forgives sin that separates us from the Father and redeems us for his glory.

Above statement includes perspicuity of Scriptures for us to clearly understand. Inspiring. Inerrant. Sufficient.Grace-filled. 

What does life of faith look like when lived out? 

Full of grace? Peace? Kindness? Listening ears? Gratitude.

Does faith in one's life; love God first, love others as self, serve others well to His glory, and forgive others, encapsulate it?

DNA of the faithful includes, knowing "God is always with us" and gives confidence and trust to joyfully live a life of grace toward others. As Paul David Tripp states, "grace toward others grows best in the soil of gratitude." (New Morning Mercies, January 19)

CUPPA GENEROSITY

Generosi-TEA! Let's start our last day in 2021 with that cuppa!

As we turn the corner to a New Year, lets turn from getting to giving!

Robert Morgan would punctuate the above sentence with a divine exclamation point! (All to Jesus, Day 365) 

Where do you find yourself? 

I have to give. GRUDGINGLY

I Need to give. UNDER EXTERNAL COMPULSION

I want to give. CHEERFUL, EAGER & READY TO GIVE

How is your spending trending?

A year in Paul David Tripp's, New Morning Mercies has kept me focused on More of Thee and less of me......aka give to others more than to self. "Give us the grace to look at ourselves in the mirror of God's word. Powerful redeeming grace to remove of our heart of stone and replace them with hears of flesh"----giving hearts. (New Morning Mercies, December 10)

TAKEAWAYS:

Give self first to God.

Generous Giving is rooted in the grace of God.

Generosity is about Spirit, not resources.

Donate to your church or favorite charity. Give your time to pray for others.

Keep sipping your cuppa generosity-TEA throughout the coming year!

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Trio of Tuesday truths taken from Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies........my own paraphrasing.

1. True prayer is more than a "Wish list" from God the Deliverer.
2. Prayer is abandoning a life of demand and complaint....giving myself to a life of thankfulness.
3. True prayer happens at the intersection of surrender and celebration.

May the Lord use our submission (our proper place) to His purpose/His will (His proper place) Those "proper" positions will release us from our own bondage to SELF!

MINDSETS

I have decide to spare you my quotidian details involved in my circular thinking that led to this blog. 

Mindsets are earthly focused or focused above. (Colossians 3:1-2)

I think most earthly mindsets fall into one of two categories. Whether it's in your relationships, careers, finances, recreation or entertainment.

Self or others. Which is it for you?

Are you self-absorbed in your thinking?  Actions can follow your thinking.

Are you Other-Oriented? 

Others know, even if you don't.

You might pray as Ronnie Stevens wrote.....

Lift us up out of the pit of perpetual self-regard. 

Cause us to be other-oriented.

 (Path to the Cross, entry July 10)

???????

What does one do with a heavy heart????

I know.......but I'm still struggling. 

Yesterday, I couldn't even write. Praying God will use this sadness and dark night of my soul---not for me as much as for others in transition.

But God.....in His love and mercy, has me hear my hubby's voice reading Paul David Tripp's words, "Facing disappointment and failure?" (New Morning Mercies, March 18) The entire entry captured the brokenness I was feeling, and the unrealistic expectations I live with. From Romans 8 he uses Paul's descriptor's to add weight to said brokenness; subjected to futility (v. 20), bondage to decay (v. 22) greater grace reminds one of an eternity yet to come. 

......but God's grace is greater than you could ever have imagined it would be. Biblical faith lives at the intersection of shocking honesty and glorious hope. (NMM, 3/18)

???? diminish because the answer of grace is once again closing in on my wounded heart!

TWENTY FIVE WORDS OR LESS (AGAIN)

Can she do it? If she counts words without characters she can.

Prayer = lens to life. More than right now ME prayers. 

With. For. In you. Submission to Him.

Thy will be done. Right here. Right now!