GRACIOUS ME!

Gracious Me!

Goodness Gracious!! 

Gracious Sakes...or gracious sakes alive!

All phrases I heard while growing up in western Kentucky. 

Such phrases were indicative of surprise. "Where has the day gone."

These days I find myself saying those same phrases I heard, especially from my grandmother, Mama Davenport. Often I add "Oh my" to the list. It's surprise with a bit of negativity laced with disappointment. Think, guilt.

Oh my, I can't keep up with ANYTHING. OK, that's an exaggeration but.....iPhone, Laptop, books, white out, things I use often and need to keep up with around the house.

Oh my, notes, are all over the house except the one I need.

Oh my, these days it takes me longer to do less.

Oh my, guilt hangs in my closet far too easy for me to reach & put on. (I know this because a sweet friend in the faith admonished me, in love of this very act,) 

How grateful I am that God's word says, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Gracious me.....how grateful I am for that reminder! I'm pouring my cuppa guilt-TEA down the drain.

JEOPARDY!

Friend Jerrie's gift, a Jeopardy! 2016 Calendar, has become a fun part of "our" (hubby plays too) morning routine. Just like when we know the answers during the TV show, it brings a bit of excitement to the day---not to mention competitive fun! What a thoughtful gift.

In Jeopardy! TV series, there is a risk everytime you "ring" in and there is always "double trouble," a hubby term, when you choose the "daily double" square, and have to decide if your confidence in the category allows you to make it a "true daily double." Risking everything ($$$) you have accumulated so far. Is the risk worth the loss? The final outcome could be on the line!

The answers on the calendar version, as always, are in the form of a question but how easy it is to just turn the page over when you are stumped. And you don't risk loss of anything---unless losing face with your spouse counts.

There written out in large bold print and "all caps" is what you need to know. You can't miss it. 

Answer given. Problem solved.

Don't we all wish our life questions were that easy to figure out! Those that really stump us. The "whys" we don't understand. The "what ifs" when we are trying to make the best decision. 

For me, there are so many parts of life that I don't have an answer for---but God reminds me, to call unto Him. (Jeremiah 33:3) He is the answer. 

I don't risk anything when asking. (James 1:5) 

There is no JEOPARDY!-type consequence when asking, (Romans 8:1) just forgiveness and wisdom.

Wisdom freely given by the ONE who is the answer.

I might not know the answer but I know the One who is the answer. 

Spiritual Permission

Do you ever have to give yourself "permission" to do something just for yourself----esp in the middle of a "blustery" day?

I had to do just that---a cuppa tea and a cozy mystery. Yet, somehow it seemed like what I needed. 

Whether waiting in a physical space like ER room #2 with your daughter or in a spiritual waiting room of God's design, sometimes you need to "escape" with a little light reading and a warm cuppa.

Agatha Christie is usually a safe bet and The Harlequin Tea Set which was a story collection seem the perfect fit. 

I was reading, relaxing and resting. It seemed almost spiritual.

Guess what? It was. (Romans 8:1)

Gramma-TEA-ically : a significant cuppa

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. 

(Philippians 4:1, NLT)

Therefore, an adverb---meaning; a result.....for that reason.
THEREFORE ----used 1468 times in the King James version of the Bible. 

Cole Huffman sees "therefore" as an encapsulating word which shows us what all the preceding words were there for.  In the scriptures, it is often used after the writer has shown all that God has done for you (me)---therefore, or in light of all of this, here's what should follow in your (my) life.

One of the first things I learned in my early years of Kay Arthur Bible studies, was the "therefore rule." 
If therefore appears in a passage, and it will a lot, it will be incumbent on you to find out what it's there for. In other words, it's our responsibility to "open" our Bibles and dig into the Scripture allowing God to reveal truth and the life lessons He has for each of us.

Here are a few "therefores" for your digging pleasure......

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,... 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God...Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed....Philippians 2:12 Therefore, there is now no condemnation....Romans 8:1 

.....therefore you can enjoy the fruit of that labor as you gratefully sip a gramma-TEA-ically significant cuppa.  

BINGO RETORT!

4/3/13 BINGO!! Pastor Cole's excerpts from Steve Brown's, Three Free Sins--God's Not Mad at You, have continued to resonate with me. After one of his lectures the author encountered a critic, and in response to said criticisms, Prof. Brown simply said, "BINGO!" You got it right. I am selfish. My mother knew it. My wife knows it too.

From then on, BINGO became his reply to harsh criticism. "You're NOT fit to be a Christian!"

Brown's retort, "BINGO!---That's why Christ died for me!"

Instead of trying to come up with a defense, Dr. Brown gave the best defense. Truth from God's Word seemed to have released him from the bondage of trying to please others or live up to their expectations. 

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Perhaps others need to employ the "Bingo Retort" and cut themselves some slack as they rest in the knowledge of the full assurance of God's love and forgiveness.

BINGO!!!!!  

Leaning.........on Love

9/17/11 I such a weird little bird when it comes to note taking----very visual. Several of my journals allow for this so I avail myself of those "provided lines" underneath or beside the text. But.....that's usually not enough. I find myself dating, jotting, scribbling or drawing on the text itself.

Thursday's (9/15) Jesus Calling entry brought me back to "leaning." I saw the One who is Love, as "the One" on whom I can lean---not self.

The word lean wasn't even in the text but the essence of it was----if I'm still working harder and harder to be worthy, to be accepted by His love, I'm leaning on self, not on the One who loves me regardless. Thus the leaning L ( ⁄ for love) is there to remind me to lean on the One who loves me---without condemnation. Without "my" work and strivings. Just with my willingness to lean.