BUT GOD.....1

Blue skies. Green trees. Milder temps.

All magnified by a phrase from God's word on a car in the parking lot.

Walking slowly holding hubby's arm and  praying for friends who last week were labeled wives and this week are leaning into the LORD even more as widows who will be attending the funeral of their late husbands this week.

Though all around them circumstances have changed, both have clearly understood the importance of "but God" who in His love and mercy has provided many prayerful saints as their prayer warriors and helpers.

O Lord continue to be their "refuge and the strength of their heart and portion forever."

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)

FORECAST FOR COASTER OF EMOTIONS!

This past week my emotions have run the gamut....medical tests that involve a degree of risk in facing the unknowns. Wait Time of many unknowns yet to be revealed. Machine broken. 

Fears and heart flutterings. Longer than usual time for results to be procured. Favored results not received. 

Insurance hold ups to obtain further testing. 

Feelings fluctuate. But God in His love and mercy has been present.....

.....the "Feels Like Forecast" has the ups and downs of a Memphis thermometer in August. But God is there! The heat index is keeping us on our toes and God is there. Sometimes we anticipate the worst. Fear feels hot. But God is there. One of the worst days had me numb, as if not only unable to face consequences but unable to feel anything or even make decisions of where God's way will take me. Numbness is nuts for a Christian!

But God's Presence and the prayers of his people are the best Hope RX! 

Emotions now encouraged even though circumstances have not changed---I have, with His help & reminder from a dear friend to "choose joy."

Regardless of the forecast, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but

joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5, ESV)

HEARTBREAK TO HOPE!

Legitimate reasons for lament can bring darkness into one's life....even in the midst of the joy of the Christmas season.

Dark clouds require deep mercy, as Mark Vroegop says.This morning as I jot notes for my "dear to my heart," cousin Joy's funeral, I am asking for that mercy. Lament is pain that can lead to trust. May my time in His word lead me to that today.

Lament tunes the heart so it can sing about trust. (Vroegop, p. 82)

I am still struggling. "How long O Lord?" (Psalm 13:1) 

Help me to discover the grace of "lament" during this dark time.

May this lament fuel my faith.

May I place my broken heart in God's hands today and lean into the hope only He can give.

As I remember Brenda Joyce Davenport Tanley at her funeral, may my words offer hope. Others my call her Joyce but ever since childhood, she's been "my Joy."

Transform me, O Lord that others might see Christ in me, the hope of glory! For in your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures  forever more. (Psalm 16:11)

WOW: PATH!

WOW = Warriors on the Wall for me.

This week it has meant Word of the Week as I can't get PATH out of my head!

Grandson, Owen has always had a way with words. 

He dubbed my Master Gardener neighbor's rock pathway that ended at the fence, "path to nowhere." He asked her why she had such a path to nowhere? Not a bad question for a boy in pre-school.

In Deuteronomy 5:32, Moses, after presenting the Ten Commandments from the LORD to his people reminds them to be careful to do what the Lord has commanded them. Don't turn to the right or left. In other words stay on the straight and narrow path. In the next verse, Deuteronomy 5:33 CEB, Moses shares, "You must walk in the precise path which the Lord your God indicates for you. so that you will live, and things will go well for you...."

Have you ever wondered what the path God has for you today?

Unique for you. Specific for today.

Today ask God to clearly show you the path He has especially for you....

....even if it seems a bit rocky, trust Him.

Maybe He wants you to walk anew in His Presence today. (Psalm 16:11)

You won't know the right path, unless you ask Him. (Psalm 25:4)

Today my "path" answer was to "walk worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Won't you join me on that path?

FULLNESS IN CHRIST!

IN CHRIST!

How does one receive fullness in Christ?

The answer is through salvation in Christ Jesus.

How do others know that answer is true?

They see it in your life.

When JoLynn changed the page on the desk calendar at church today---I saw the answer!

JOY! In the life of a believer.

The above wrapped up an earlier meditation from a Puritan's prayer, "Fullness in Christ" in Valley of Vision.

"Christ has all fulness"....."to give me fullness" 

"It is my duty, out of a sense of emptiness, to go to Christ, possess, enjoy his fullness as mine, as if I had it in myself, because it is for me in him; that when I do this I am full of the Spirit,"

FULLNESS IN CHRIST!!!!!

How about "going to school of meditation" on that---it is Meditation Monday after all!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

JOY to the World! How about JOY in the world!

Where does JOY begin? Years ago I learned that true JOY begins with Jesus. The Lord is our cup of blessing as He is always with us. JOY continues as we serve others well...as God loves us, by putting others before self. Self is last in the recipe for JOY. True JOY comes to us as we put Jesus and others first.

This acrostic has helped me remember that.

Jesus

Others

  Yourself

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

JOYFUL!

Some aspects (nouns)  of life become even more fulfilling with the addition of the suffix ful. 

My "cottage" garden, though imperfect, gives me joy.

When a yellow swallowtail joins the remaining blooms and covers the weeds, I am joyful!

Full of joy! 

In my garden. "In His Presence is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11, emphasis mine)

joy......Joy......JOY!

Struggling lately. Depressed spirit. Enveloped by a pall of sadness and grief.

Lethargy looms.

Knowing joy is a choice.......guilt ensued.

Joy is a by-product of an attitude of gratitude.

I had taken off my dance shoes. 

The Bible is a book of joy! (Deuteronomy 16:15)

Exercise needed. More time in His Word. (Psalm 94:19) D.

Acceptance. Keep on keeping on. (Philippians 4:4) A.

Fulness of Joy RX. (Psalm 16:11, I Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Don't lose hope. (Romans 12:12) N.

Consolations from friends. (Psalm 94:19) Thanks, Dixie! C.

I need to find my D.A.N.C.E. shoes. E. 

Exercise joy.....Joy.....until it gets to JOY!----

                            my basic "barre exercise" for abunDANCE. 

LOVE STEPS

Love steps are intimate......

baby steps 

giant steps 

single step

step back

step up

stumbling steps, limping steps

every step of the way.....first steps to last steps. (Job 23:11)

Love steps similar to having one foot on earth and one in heaven---can include slow steps to a toe tapping foot step that is in rhythm with the "new dance" the Lord is teaching you to follow his every lead. Follow His stepping stones on life's path so that you will not fall headlong. (Psalm 37:24)

Love-light tends to shine on the path when my steps are choosing to follow Him. Those are the love-steps I desire for every child on my "Kids for the Kingdom" prayer list to follow. (Psalm 16:11)

ETCHED IN STONE

Sometimes great reminders are right at your feet.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY!

• Romans 15:13. ... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Nehemiah 8:10. ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Isaiah 35:10.....Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Psalm 16:11. ... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Psalm 27:6. ... I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
• Psalm 28:7...The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him 
• Psalm 126:2-3. ...The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

CHOOSE JOY--ETCH IT IN STONE! 

BETTER YET, WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART!

CHOOSE: TIMELESS

Timless is a tough concept for a time compulsive one. Earlier time compulsive, blogs verify that malady as a part of my "make-up."

Ashley Bryan's clock in his Isleford, ME home.

Dear friend, Ashley Bryan tells me I need to learn to live on "island time." (John 10:10) As an Isleford, ME resident with only 20 year round neighbors, Ashley lives what he preaches, at least when he's on his island, population 65 in 2013. Since his best friend Soos died this year, I assume the population is now 64. (Psalm 90:12)

He lives well, wisely and humbly, even though he is is 94. (James 3:13)

Island time embraces "loving God supremely, serving others well" (Allen Bible Church) and living life moment by moment in His timing with a grateful heart. (Proverbs 27:1, Matthew 6:34) 

Timeless truth from an islander! (Psalm 16:11)

CHOOSE: TO PASS THE "LOVE" TEST

Most all of us know the answers to the "love' test......but it takes enact of the will to live them.

Spiritual telepathy from Katherine Abraham----the perfect LOVE card to be a title for the "test."

Deuteronomy 13:3 says that "God gives us tests." 

The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

LOVE TEST--Pray and proceed.

1. Do you know Jesus? The answer can be found in John 3:16 & 1 John 5:1.
2. How is your walk? Does it reflect your love of the LORD?The answer can be found in Galatians 5:16 & & Ephesians 5:8.
3. Do you worship Him and Him only?The answer can be found in Deuteronomy 5:7, Psalm 16:2 & Psalm 27:4.
4. Do you have fellowship with other believers? The answer can be found in Psalm 55:14, Acts 4:42, 1 John 1:7 & Hebrews 10:25.
5. Is all your joy in Him? The answer can be found in Nehemiah 8:10 & Psalm 16:11 & John 15:11.
6. Is the LORD your refuge? The answer can be found in Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:8 & Psalm 91:2.
7. Is the LORD your hope? The answer can be found in  & Romans 15:13 .

Why 7 questions you ask. See what God's word says the number 7 represents.

I choose to pass the test and hope that's your choice as well.

rou-TEA-ine

But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40, ESV)

Routine enhances order---at least these days that is true in my life.
Is that an aging thing? A "sot in your ways," control issue. Is it hereditary?

Certainly a cuppa rou-TEA-ine is preferred by lots of my family members, especially my brothers. It was modeled by our parents, whom you could set your clock by. As Daddy aged I watched him put his day in order more than ever, as if routine helped him keep a handle on things, that were trying to slip away.

Walking with Ellen has been a part of my exercise routine for over 24+ years. It's a routine that goes beyond physical exercise because I never know what gem I will glean from her. This morning was no different as she shared a Shane Stanford "jewel" from her last night's CUMC Bible Study. A reminder that being in His presence is a "spiritual routine" one should not neglect.
"One's joy is directionally proportional to the amount of time spent practicing the Presence of God in the midst of all his /her circumstances."
That's certainly biblical---Fulness of joy comes from being in His Presence. (Psalm 16:11)

The Bible----a great threshold that leads one into God's Presence.

A 3/2/10 original “Tea with Thee” blog, described my best “routine” for  morning quiet times----"like my tea---steeped just right, not rushed. An ordinary cup of tea, my daily Jesus Calling reading, simple scripture verses at my fingertips----ordinary beginnings can make a day extraordinary."

Now,  I would add.....a cuppa "rou-TEA-ine" in His Presence over flows into joy for a truly extraordinary day, regardless of the circumstances.

"locali-TEA"

Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 16:27, Amplified)

Entering the psalms this year in a "fresh" way has added vitali-TEA to my times of prayer and scripture meditation.  Med-TEA-tation might be a bit of a stretch for a "tea" word, but it's what my "Tea with Thee" time has become. It's all about thinking through & pondering old favorite psalms in a new way with both a cuppa and my Bible close at hand. More of a heart connection. Tho, the prayer chair is still the location I'm drawn to for quiet times.  My locali-TEA of choice. My sanctuary, of sorts. I realize the true location is "in His Presence" (Psalm 16:11) and reading & praying thru the Psalms seems to propel me there more quickly. Scriptural focus helps me to be fully present.

The psalms have proven to be my sanctuary of prayer---a place where my heart is nourished. Where I can bring the realities of my life in to His throne room and cry out for help as the psalmist did. Fears. Doubts. Grief. Physical struggles.....knowing that He hears. (Psalm 34:17 & Psalm 116:1)

It's still a quiet time and yet in ways it's become a BIG adventure because God is there waiting to meet me right where I am---and I'm not always in a "pretty" place. But God....stirs my soul.

His word begins teaching me, once again, not to repress the emotions that are plaguing me. His word offers hope as well as comfort. Just read the psalms to see how often those words are used.
I just finished meeting God at my prayer chair with an open heart & a cuppa Harney and Sons Organic English Breakfast----a rich black tea brewed in a cup that evokes great memories of a favorite British locali-TEA---The Shop on the Corner in Royston, England.

Time with Him seems to carve out space in my soul, not only for more of Him but for prayer for others in my life as well.

His Presence---a locali-TEA we can always take with us.

NO SERVICE is "SWEET!"

8/15/13 The phone read "no service." Likewise, the computer.

Occasionally the BEST service is NO service.

Sounds like a "Heart to Heart" lesson taking root.

Disconnection with the world can enrich connection with the One who truly desires connecting with us. Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

"NO SERVICE" RESULTS: Silence, Solitude, Quietness of Soul, Serenity of Spirit, Listening Opportunities, Simplicity of Agenda---just to mention a few!!

 In His Presence is fulness of Joy. (Psalm 16:11)
SWEET SERVICE!

"What brings you joy?"

6/10/13 "What brings you joy?" That's what the sign at Yates and Shady Grove asked.

Not happiness, but true joy. Happiness is too circumstantial. Dependent on what's happening in your life. An "under the circumstances" viewpoint/location. A location where Mary Ann Frazier says no Christian should reside. Christ's beloved should rise above their fleeting circumstances and experience deep joy based on their relationship with Him.

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

The "lasting" answer is found in that verse. True joy, in all its fullness, regardless of one's circumstances,  is found in the Lord's Presence. A question and a verse worthy of meditation.

Seeing the way.....

4/14/12 Have you ever had something right in front of you and yet you still don’t see it? Until a recent PBS interview with Memphian Fred Smith, CEO of FedEx, I never knew there was an arrow on “his” trucks. So iconic and yet I missed it!

In my spiritual life I wonder if my vision is also veiled to God’s directions that are right before me. Psalm 16:11 says that the Lord has made known to me the path of life and that’s truly the only one I need to follow. Jesus Calling (4/12 & 4/14) encouraged staying/walking (dancing for me) with the Lord at every fork in the road.

I know that the entrance to heaven is at the end of my life path. I just don’t want to miss any of the hints of heaven or any directions that the Lord has for me along the way. But…..I’m still afraid I’m missing some of the subtle turns or directions on my daily walk. I guess I’ll just have to keep my eyes wide open and keep trusting His leading as I search for clues.

I can see clearly now----at least on the FedEX truck. In fact, it seems to jump out at me. God is working on the rest.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it. (Isaiah 30:21)

Dotsy Tech Delays & Dilemmas

7/20/11 computer probs---will post as I have access---

There is no trouble so great or grave that it cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. (Bernard Paul Heroux)

Normally I would agree with Mr. Heroux, whoever he is, but right now it would take the whole pot of tea and a side of Alleve, or some such drug to ease the tension of the in and out, off and on problems of our Comcast connections! It has me tense and that tension is spilling over big time to hubby because account is in his name and I want it FIXED----like yesterday or before.

How spiritual does that sound! Can you tell I have been reading two books and taking copious notes on the the thankful heart and transformation of grace in our lives when we have the right focus----God's viewpoint, specifically. I must have spiritual Alzheimer's. How quickly I'm forgetting these truths.

Here I was thinking that stress would no longer be the word that punctuated my thought life now that I am not working. Yet, this unreliable access to the internet has me stressed. E-mails going unanswered might send the wrong message, some e-mails needing to be written seem EXTREMELY important. Coupons need to be printed before they expire. I need to send the "work day" pics to church for a newsletter. A prayer letter with scripture references for our friends' mission trip had to be typed out because biblegateway.com was inaccessible,etc.

"In His presence is fulness of joy." (Psalm 16:11) Even sitting all knotted up in front of this computer, I need to get a spiritual grip! What gets me to that joy is seeing His goodness---even in the midst of technology snafus. I need a gratitude check right now----grateful I have a computer, grateful that (at this moment) green light (for on-line) is blinking. Grateful hubby had a cell so we could call Comcast when service went down. Grateful hubby was willing to wait on "hold" for a long time. Grateful hubby didn't tell me to "take a hike" when I said, I HAVE TO BLOG!

ABUNDANCE.......

4/20/11………abunDANCE is an art. Of course it is---all dance is an art form. One year ago today I was speaking on “Living a life of abunDANCE in the midst of________” and asking the audience to fill in their own blank. I encouraged them to look for abunDANCE in the midst of their own personal struggles.

Somehow it seems that we are more prone to do that in the midst of the “biggie” struggles. But what about when life’s music becomes mundane and routine? (Not that mine ever truly does.) How then do you continue your “dance?”

For my Wednesday folks I prayed that today they would begin to see the abunDANCE of simple pleasures that God has strewn on their life path. You might do the same.

• Ellen---a sunny morning to stroll with her big, boisterous pup
  
• Diane---realization that mesothelioma might take away a loved one but can never take away the great memories
  
• Dixie---sunset on a lake
• Doris---a covered porch, a big swing and a good book
• Drenda---wooden knitting needles and a ball of yarn
  
• Joyce Ann---celebrating every ounce that Katie and Jason’s twins gain
  
• Winslow---a Doll’s Market Benedictine sandwich or a “mug of merlot”
  
• Lunch Bunch---laughter over “loser” teammates eating chocolate

Much has changed in a year. I’m back in the “struggles” again----just new/different ones. In fact, my life has changed drastically in the last 5 weeks---from 3 healthy family members (including me) to not so healthy. Life at our house is not as we knew it.

But God……….still wants me to move/dance through life with Him celebrating the abunDANCE of pleasures he provides.

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)