STRUGGLES IN LIFE

Struggles, whether physical or spiritual, can be used by the triune Lord to  teach life lessons. The Holy Spirit can guide other believers to bless and encourage steps toward refreshment and recovery regardless of whether steps are coming or going in a "struggle".

 

Recovery can take time but regardless of where one is in her pain, it helps to know she's not alone. God's Presence can often be easily seen when in fellowship with others. The reality of a "struggle" journey is easier when one realizes the journey is not taken alone.....but is under the care of Jesus and His followers as the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

"LEAVINGS"

The Oxford Language Dictionary (OLD) defines leavings as, "things that have been left as worthless." This morning, in God's creation economy, I experienced leftover, residue, remains of leaves as anything but worthless.

Think extension of His glory of creation. 

I am grateful the photo "caught" my feet in the glory of autumn leaves in the mountains! So much more than leftovers!

A reminder,  The steps of a good man/woman are ordered by the LORD: And He delighteth in them! (Psalm 37:23)

The heart of man plans his ways but the LORD directs his steps! (Proverbs 16:9)

Grateful for morning prayers when I asked the Lord to direct my steps as well as others before we even left our abodes today! 

No worthless "leavings," but steps ordered by Him to bring glory to Him as well as His creation!

HEART CHOICES!

Why can some decisions seem so difficult? 

I love Scotty Smith's * illustration of ease in decision making as he stands at the cereal and chooses the one that is "buy one, get one free."

I prefer those "easy" choices, because I know the outcome of those decisions. Cereal Decision = Money Saved! A lure for a frugal lady!

Other decisions require a spiritual compass for me and still give me "heart knots." (a Scotty term) Yet, knowing God leads in many ways---through his word, prayers and the counsel of others.....discerning His will, as one decides, can still be difficult.

One thing I do know is our heart choices must honor Jesus first.

*More food for thought from Scotty Smith--

In our time-framed decisions, what will honor you the most, Jesus? What choice is most in keeping with the truth and rhythms of the Gospel? Are we running from something for which you haven’t given us running shoes yet? Are we seeking, seeing proverbial “greener pastures” that, like all pastures, turn brown in time? May your peace rule in our hearts, as we discern and decide.

JOURNEY OF LIFE!

FRIDAY. MAY 10, 2024---momentous day for our oldest grand & soon to come, a kindergarten “participation” diploma for our youngest grandson!

Whether shaking hands and whooping or smiling in delight, may both choose joy in the next steps of their journey as both continue in academics!

DST!

Saturday as I reset clocks in anticipation for The "Spring Forward" for DST on my calendar, I accidentally turned on the bedside table alarm!

ARG!--It went off, not only on a "sleep in a bit later day" but an hour earlier.

But God in His love and mercy sets a time for everything and everyone. And today, I needed more sleep.....or so I thought.

Actually, I needed more zeal to do His will. (Romans 12:11) 

More of Thee less of me......regardless of the time of day.

N.A.P.

I am always up for a nap....or down for....the quick snatch of sleep time.

But this morningI found a better N.A.P.! It was on my laptop screen and I cannot remember the source. Imagine that!!

How blessed it is to be able to give others a Non Anxious Presence in the middle of the storms of their life, your life or both.

Today, may all "busy, hurrying and scurrying" folks heed and N.A.P. knowing God is with; Our Sovereign Lord is in control.

CHOOSE: CLOSURE

Closure---a sense of resolution or conclusion of an artistic work. Certainly, that's a stretch thinking my blog is an artistic work but I did want closure to these 2017 "Choose" entries.

But God..........had a an interruption in mind. So, plans of celebration were cancelled and my happy New Year "ears" remain in the "ready" position, tho not to be used this year.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me that God has a plan. And the last few days we have altered our plans as the Lord has directed our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) His choice for the way we would close out 2017.

CHOOSE: A CUPPA speciali-TEA

Many of us need a good morning cuppa to start the day. For me it can also take on a TEA-rrific element of fun as I love word play!

A "Tea with Thee" quiet time of sorts as God helps me plan my day with my Bible open and my cuppa in hand.

Often the day's agenda helps choose the most needed brew. But.....no matter my plans, I need to ask the Lord to direct my steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB) Sometimes I have such a full schedule, that I cannot see a way to check everything off my list. But God.....

Today's choice for me was a cuppa sensitive-TEA. The Lord directed my FULL schedule so that I was able to spend extra time with a widow friend who needed a listening ear.

I left her sipping a cuppa sereni-TEA!!! PTL!

Pittsburgh Possibili-TEAs

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 

(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

So many possibiliti-TEAs for our 24th annual amigas trip. Barbara, concierge at the William Penn in Pittsburgh, said our proposed schedule was a little too ambitious. Watch out Barbara!
We are on plan G---and God's plans are always exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20) Plus, factoring in a touch of "female rebelness" virtually assures an all-out effort.
Hysterically funny play at the Cabaret theatre. Christmas Events---lights EVERYWHERE. The Nutcracker. Wintergarden exhibit at PPG w/ around the holiday displays, think Santa in every language.

Wintergarden's Ukraine  tableau celebrates Holy Supper, a family feast, on January 6.

Creche at US Steel Plaza ; only authorized replica of Vatican's creche in St.Peter's Square in Rome, Italy

The Cathedral of Learning's national rooms (actual classrooms used by the students) were all decorated for Christmas on the University of Pittsburg Campus.

Romanian Room
Click for unforgettable tour of any of the 30 rooms of your choice.

Of course, the Ukraine room (above) was my favorite.
Carnegie Museums of History and Art. Andy Warhol museum.Phipps Conservatory with 14 rooms of Christmas blooms and vignettes.Heinz Center.

Bonnie & Rosie the Riveter at the Heinze Historical  Center

The weather might have been overcast and drizzly and the hotel room a little WARM on occasion, at least for post-menopausal women, but the FUN and FRIENDSHIP trumped it all. Who says we can't find our way across the street to a restaurant---or at least have an adventure trying!

As always, we ate our way thru the city----Downtown, Oakland, The Strip, Mount Washington and Station Square, to name a few. Everything from Southie drink & fried pickles at Meat and Potatoes, and Desserts at The Porch to fancy meals with sensational seafood at Grand Concourse with river view seating and pierogies and great entrees at the award winning Carlton. Plus, the BEST Eggs Benedict ever (Baltimore style, with crabcakes) in the Terrace Room at our hotel.

Pamela's in "The Strip" w/ nostalgic photos on the wall and crunchy edge hotcakes loved by me--
and Obama, too, according to the autographed wall art photo!

Gigi holds all "the goods."

Primanti Bros. even had "sweet tea" on the menu---imagine that! They also serve french fries and slaw on the pastrami/corned beef sandwiches and have fried dill pickles that are nuclear HOT!

This trip there was lots of "tea" for me. I sipped tea, (via an incline for a cuppa at the Grand Brew) bought tea in The Strip and was served tea by my friends when I was having a bit of a tummy issue.

We certainly sipped a BIG cuppa all the possibilit-TEAs on our Pittsburgh Neighborhood's Bucket List.

But Mr. Roger's Neighborhood is still my favorite neighborhood.

"finali-TEA" of current "directionali-TEA"

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

Mrs. Rand McNally, here.....is ready to hang up her maps. No longer can I be the "directionally" sound one in mapping out our routes. This past weekend in Austin, TX proved that. I was even somewhat directionally dis-oriented in our hotel, no less. 

Recently I taught on "being confident" (Psalm 27:3) & blogged on "relying on God," (Isaiah 40: 10) but I've begun to realize that a new season of life is now beginning. A "direction" change, coupled with understanding of  God's wisdom in this season needs to be employed.
Things aren't quite what they once were. I can still make plans and God will still direct them (Psalm 37:23)....but the plans might be fewer. I can also allow younger ones to lead the way. Following son's BIG Suburban on those confusing multi-level cloverleafs, access roads and exits allowed me to enjoy the ride and not be stressed. Possibilites of getting lost, seem not so overwhelming when I don't feel responsible.

Change, especially from aging, is sometimes hard to swallow, but God...can offer new directionality and it will be okay!
Final proof of finali-TEA of current directionali-TEA---I just spilled my morning cuppa all over my map.

"Flexibili-TEA"

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 
(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

NOTHING ----went as planned. Make that, as I planned. 

Schedules didn’t pan out to meet sweet Katya from Ukraine. Mixed signals had a lunch date postponed. Dinner downtime was a wash out. Traffic jam---of course.  One can’t leave east Memphis after 5pm and expect to arrive downtown for a pre-show dinner, when the event starts at 7pm. Green Beetle didn’t even have coconut cake available AND oreo was certainly not a choice I would consider.

Needed: A BIG cuppa flexibili-TEA. 

I, too easily, can get bent out of shape, almost to the point of breaking, when “my” goals and plans are blocked.

But God......The evening ended in “Singing His Praises” at the Orpheum with my African -American brothers and sisters, who can really “belt out” the gospel through their “spirituals!”

How sweet a cuppa  of flexibilTEA, served with song of LOUDEST praise!

LAST DAY URGENCY

3/14/13 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON----& IT'S IN HOURS NOW........
Though the goal of the trip has been to enjoy the moments and the rides and shows we see rather than trying to do it all, today the "push" seems great to catch the ones we missed earlier in the week---Indiana Jones, Lights! Motors! Action! car stunts show. Re-do for favorites like Rock"n" Roller coaster for the big guys and Toy Story for everyone also became part of "our" plan.
It was a good thing that we remembered our original goal because as we grandmothers rushed thru the gate with little ones in the stroller and another tagging alongside, to Toy Story, we got there in time to be told that the ride was broken. The verse that came to my mind was Proverbs 16:9. A reminder of who is in charge.

”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” 

Disappointing and difficult to explain to little ones. Life lessons can be hard but can also offer great opportunities for modeling. So, we got fast passes---just in case the ride was fixed before our time at the park was over.  Then, we got our faces painted bright red on our last day! 

Friday Findings

12/9/11 Noticing notes jotted all over my fading yellow legal pad, I decided to share some of my most recent "finds."

"written under the influence of grace"---that's my desire to write under His influence.

Nourish your soul with Bible reading. It will prepare a spiritual feast for you. (Augustine)

Prayer is union with God.....reconciles people to God, produces holy tears, forms a bridge over temptations, and acts as a buttress between us and afflictions. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 355)

Prayer is born of joy and gratitude. Prayer makes gentleness blossom in the heart. (?)

It is better to pray in the silence of the heart than to pray only with words, without the mind paying attention. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 367)

Many people want to direct God instead of surrendering themselves to be directed by Him. (Madame Guyon)

Order my steps in thy word: ... Direct my steps according to thy word: (Psalm 119:193)

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

...repentance is the gift of God. If you ever cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself. (My Utmost for His Highest, 12/7)

I never meant for you to be self sufficient. I crafted your longings and feelings of incompleteness to point you to me. (Jesus Calling, 12/8)

“God appoints people who do disappoint – to point to a God who never disappoints.” (Ann Voskamp 12/8)

Joy sometimes needs pain to give it birth. (Streams in the Desert, p. 457)

Sabbath Snapshots: First Advent '11

11/27/11 ”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Monday---Plan R for rainy day---Bass Pro & my "grands" were only kids there---

Important Christmas letters---













Trains & Remote cars


Crossbow
Shooting Gallery
Racing Cars
Tuesday chili supper for most of Liles crewWednesday Indoor Swim












Finch Center Tour
Finding UM Tiger # 53---(54 out of 100 was our total)"Prep" Day &
Caleb's Rice Krispie Treats in a "6"











Noah stirs up a pumpkin pie for Daddy
ThursdayParade and Wii to begin "Turkey Day"
(Nathan had my camera--have lots of Wii football pix too)
Thanksgiving Dessert---Side Street Steppers "sang" for their supper---
PTL outside play weather on Friday AM
Friday PM--inside and out--Fort Brotherhood, a great tent, compliments of Molly---
S'MORES---

Saturday: AM Sadness---saying good by to the Texans and watching them drive away.
PM CELEBRATION: Perrin & Jim (son of Molly & Nick) a young man for whom I have prayed, on Saturdays, for many a year---
SUNDAY---Advent Gift for the young ones........As a child, I remember playing with our baby Jesus in the makeshift stable that decorated the top of our console TV.

First Advent Sunday