MOCKINGBIRD MATTERS!

Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, explores themes of prejudice and injustice. The title refers to the moral lesson that it's a sin to harm innocent creatures, like the mockingbird, which some of the characters in the story symbolize.

This morning, former next door neighbor, WH, who is spending the week here in the mountains with a few (18 of her family) sent me this pic.

A mockingbird no less!

How appropriate as hubby and I have been reviewing the Mockingbird Maturity chapter in Considering Sparrows. Today, we even discussed the unusual traits of mockingbirds, the state bird of Tennessee, identified by the collective noun, "echo".....which makes sense as it has the ability to "mimic" sounds and songs of other birds, people & mechanical noises. 

 

However, it was the book-defining quote (Burrell p. 159) from character Miss Maudie who explains to Scout, the lawyer's daughter in To Kill a Mockingbird, which amazed me. 

'it's a sin to kill a mockingbird' because they 'don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up other people's gardens, nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.' (Lee, p. 90, emphasis mine)

Two different books, and 1 picture taken by a dear Memphis friend "sealed" the deal for me. 

Share this info. It matters!

FRIDAY FOCUS!

Our relationship of trust with God is a result of focusing on Him in all situations.....

.......again and again! It's a biblical call. 

Focus on God not man......worship and serve Him with an undivided heart. Therein lies the problem/hurdle. From wisdom studies, "My One Word" for 2025, I have "learned" (still working" on this) wisdom is not in just knowing but in doing. Action is key! 

Wisdom is truth from God's Word. "You will know truth, and the truth will set you free," (John 8:32)

Recently, I read the distance from the brain to the heart was 20 inches but can't remember exact source. Google was my next step of validation.... varying distances 12", 14", 18" & 20" still emphasized to me that truth in the head (brain) is physically a short measure but spiritually/emotionally quite a stretch to turn into action! 

Continuous action needed to elicit change.!

Philippians 4:8 says it well. 

Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Think on these things...... FOCUS again and again in order to transform "brain" knowledge into heart action, using God's grace as the glue to hold it there!

"IN THE PINK"

One's feelings can go from one place to another in a New York second!

Anger to peace. My weakness to His strength. Through a black hole to "in the pink."
Fear and anger to confidence and acceptance. Self serving to self-denying. Entitlement  to '"of the heart." Spiritually, the heart God sees.

A just, pure and lovely lifestyle from one's thoughts and attitude of the heart,(Hebrews 4:12).....

...."living in the pink" emotionally, physically and spiritually,

providing a sense of peace, purpose, and forgiveness!

YIELD TO GOD AND PARK YOUR MIND THERE TODAY!

MINDSETS,  a July 8 blog entry  keeps coming to my mind.  Lisa TerKeurst's, (Chapter 2, p.17) in seeing beautiful again, had me at the title,  "The Best Place to Park Your Mind Today. 

Scripture, Philippians 4:8 was an added bonus! Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely--if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. (my memory) 

Remember this verse Quad Squad/Pi Phi friends!

Thinking is a mindset and thoughts based on scripture are the best place to "park your mind."

Yield to Him and His word for you!

Yielding is a choice. Think about this as your thoughts "drive" you to ponder life's realities---frustrations, disappointments or a pity party. Zip ass those "messy" thoughts and let the Lord steer you to Him and park there. 

It's a mindset parking lot set up for His children.

As TerKeurst says, "When we set our minds in the things of God, we will have direct access to the peace of God. A parking lot of peace in our own minds " (p. 21) ----what a great place to be. 

Reserve me a spot!

CHOOSE SLOWING

Choose slowing. Sometimes age chooses slowing for us.

Then we have new choices. Attitudinal ones.

Will we "slow" because we have to, thus wearing a burden or agitation on our shoulder?

Will we choose to "slow" with acceptance, by His grace.

Slowing allows time for pondering.

Pondering can lead to praying with folded hands.

Praying can be encouraging for self...

...and others as one "pays it forward" with a smile on his face.

Note last letters in encouraging. Do something to encourage someone else---maybe someone a little older, and allow the Lord to take the aging process out of your self-focus to focus on others!

Pondering, as a verb, is to think carefully (Philippians 4:8) about something. Chew on. Contemplate. Consider.  Dwell on.
But.....pondering requires slowing. Slow down today so that your ponderings (noun) might be "God-focused"

FUNCTIONAL AGING (A.M.A.P.)

At our church, the LLL or Triple Ls are the ones whose class members would all check the last box on the age information-----above 65! Chronologically aging.

Functional aging is physical and out of our control. Attitudinal aging is a choice.

I'm wondering if checking that last box for some years now should have been an alliterative reminder for me---one who, too often, languishes in lethargy or lapse into anxiety.

Lethargy looms.  Lethargy lingers. Lethargy lessens.
Anxiety accelerates. Anxiety agitates. Anxiety adds angst.

Lethargy and anxiety are on opposite ends of a dysfunctional spectrum, but both are disturbances in a healthy relational life. Think sluggish vs wired!

Attitudinal lethargy and anxiety have their root in our thought life.
It's a mind battle. It's our "thoughts" which need positive intervention.
A.M.A.P. ---As Much As Possible.

I need A.M.A.P. of God's word in my thought life to be "transformed by the renewing of my mind." (Romans 12:2) I need to apply Philippians 4:8 as I capture thoughts at the entry level. and "think on these things."
True. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Admirable.
Meditating on these truths will "please my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Functionally.....A relaxed (not sluggish) attitude lengthens a man’s life.  (Proverbs 14:30, TLB) and a cheerful heart is good medicine.  (Proverbs 17:22).....
......RX = daily dose ASAP of a cheerful heart. A.M.A.P.

CHOOSE: C.A.L.M.

Stress is rampant in lives of so-o-o-o many folks.
ANXIETY in all caps is often the result! At least at our house. Even good stress can put me on edge.

Anxiety comes in all our lives. But God....says, "Be anxious for nothing..." (Philippians 4:6)

How hard is that!! Does that mean absolutely nothing? Zilch? Or does it mean not taking our anxiety/worry too far or continuing in it? The answer to that question is still on my "pondering" list.

Prior to that verse, Paul reminds us to "Rejoice in the Lord."

Is that the RX needed?

According to Max Lucado, it's a good start for calm. Rejoicing in the Lord is a way of celebrating who He is and can help "jumpstart" calm. (My words, not his)
I only heard part of Lucado's list on K-Love so I added parts of my own.

C--Celebrate the Lord. (Lucado)

A--Ask the lord in prayer (petition) for help (a paraphrase of Lucado)

L--Load that request with lots of thanksgiving (mine)

M--Meditate on other things, Philippians 4:8 gives us the list. (Lucado)

Prayer is needed to replace worry in a Christian's life, at least this Christian's life.
May I "choose to choose" C.A.L.M. to aid my way to worry-free thinking. 

Maybe a cuppa traquili-TEA to start my day followed by sereni-TEA at noon and a night cap of believabili-TEA in God's truth---The RX for calm in Philippians 4:6, is prayer. The result  = "...peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

CHOOSE FORGIVENESS

Why is it often easier to forgive others than to forgive ones self?

I'm not sure there is a succinct scripture that answers the question, but I am going to keep looking.

Many have heard me negatively say, "It's so hard being me!" 

Even "Hubby" constantly tells me to "Quit being so hard on my wife!" 

Self-recrimination reigns these days. It's really hard when my lack of ability gets in the way of ALL I feel responsible for, especially when it affects others. 

Consummate travel planner is no more a descriptor for me. Upcoming Disney trip boggles my mind. So, I've chosen not to think about it in a timely way. I dropped the ball! I feel crummy. I also feel outside of my comfort zone and incapable. Fast pass scheduling is beyond me much less having the app that will show "how to be where when" for the ultimate Disney experience. 

Only showing NEAT part---If you saw all the scribbles of heights of kids, preferences, codes that lead nowhere & passwords that no longer work etc. you'd see my pitiful planning skills. ARGH!

So-o-o grateful that I have a daughter and daughter-in-law with sharp minds and willing spirits, to take up the slack, know the contacts and cover all the bases. 

Now, I have to let it go and choose to forgive myself remembering that God does not want perfection but progress. Maybe I need to start moving toward forgiving myself.

 

First step of forgiveness is to repent. So, do I repent of thinking negatively about myself or just repent of thinking negatively? Philippians 4:8 does not list "negativity" of any sort as one of the "things" to consider when thinking is occurring. Therefore regardless of my scattered thinking, I need to think on on virtuous things. Negativity is not virtuous! 

I am ready to move on so that times of "refreshing may come from the Lord."

So....I choose to accept His forgiveness of my negative thinking.

BOOK BYTES---Bits and Pieces from my current read…..

2/25/12  ….Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer, by Richard J. Foster.

The book....

This book accompanied me on my “retreat” week ---and influenced my desire for that still listening silence that can be difficult for me, especially in the midst of the “dailies” of life---even retired life.

This glimpse at the notes are there to whet your appetite for more of this book or just to use parts you can apply to your own prayer times. It is in no way an exhaustive commentary on this Richard Foster Book. Part of this disclaimer as well as his is that no one method works for everyone---if you desire to hear God’s voice

Inner sanctuary of the Heart---spiritual space

Meditative prayer opens door to heart---soul of that inner sanctuary

Divine Whispers---inward prayer filled listening—an interior knowing

1-2-3s of Worship (my label for his “group retreat” type experience)

• Center down---let go of all distractions & feelings 
• Be gathered in---into the power of God who can blend spirits and hearts together 
• Attend ---to the Holy spirit’s guidance, not running ahead (my enthusiasm to run ahead would be a “no-no”) nor lagging behind---be fully present/ silence mind from meandering thoughts & silence mouth of many words.

....the notes

3 steps to Meditative Prayer    

 I.   RECOLLECTION—“attempted meditation” will be indeed a time of warfare (E. Underhill’s quote on p. 62 ) very eloquently describes this & more) /Romano Guardini states---meditation is not easy. Unrest redoubles in intensity (similar to folks trying to sleep at night when cares of world enter head with a force they do not possess during the daylight hours. (my paraphrase)

p. 63 “Give up the need to watch out for number one because we have One who is watching out for us.”

II.            BEHOLDING THE LORD--inward steady gaze of the heart upon God, the divine Center

Richard Rolle (14^th C) “interior sweetness…spiritual flame that fed into his soul

Madame Jeanne Guyon (1685) p. 69. Guyon used scripture to quiet her mind but once in His Presence she says, “now hold your heart in God’s Presence”---by faith this can be done. Wait before Him. Turn all your attention toward your Spirit---Lord’s found within your spirit---in recesses of your being---this is where He dwells---continue to discipline mind to be quiet before the Lord---allow mind to rest…

If all this seems too hard Foster gave ways to “crack open the door to His Presence.

III.            PRAYER OF LISTENING---part of great interest t me---deals w/ discerning God’s voice---no formula given but scripture (Phil. 4:8) to understand that those nudges are from Him----the whispers of God---might lead us to simple acts of service and kindness---Portable sanctuary w/ Brother Lawrence (The Practice of the Presence of God)

Where is sanctuary? One possibility = Portable sanctuary, as answered at end of book along w/ more questions---“we are a portable sanctuary and by the power of God we can sanctify all places for meditation. (my THOTS--- Yes, but for me some places are more conducive, a place that draws me regularly)

So much more (including  list of resource books and an examples of Foster's forays into the experience)---but that’s your bits and pieces.  I would offer to share my book but I got it at my local library. Imagine that! It’s due March 1---so then it will be up for grabs.

"Sing, Sing a Song"

2/7/12 

"Sing

Sing a song

Sing out loud Sing out strong

Sing of good things, not bad 

(Something ??) happy, not sad."

Scene: Mid-70s, our big ($212 a mo.) MSU faculty rental home at 3958 Central. Son, Buddy, in front of our console TV singing along, loud and strong (especially loud) with Bob as he sang to the Muppets on Sesame Street. After all these years, I still remember the words, at least some of them. I wonder if Buddy does.

Those words whirring in my head brought me up out of my sad song revery. Though not a hymn or a scripture, the lyrics seemed to provide deliverance from my song of complaint and frustration. I needed to change my thinking and my singing. Singing of good things, not bad, led to thinking of more things that were "good, honest just, pure, lovely." Thinking changed thus singing changed. Eventually my heart began to change "back" closer to where it needed to be. A grateful heart is reflected in songs of praise and joy, not sad songs. 

Soon I hope to be singing out those songs loud and strong.