Terrific Tuesdays

I know---it's Thursday but I've been running a little s-l-o-w this week on timely blog entries. A spring fever, of sorts......in a "fever" of lists and scheduling and planning and, and, and! Sarah Young calls it "fear that manifests itself in excessive planning." (Jesus Calling, 4/24)

But, thanks to the kindness of Nancy E. 2nd Presbyterian's 4/28 Terrific Tuesday luncheon was a much needed "perspective-lifter." (Jesus Calling, 4/26) To begin with, there was time for pre-lunch tea given by aproned ladies from My Cup of Tea, one of my favorite cuppas. 

After "tea and talk, a delightful salad plate was served by the WOC, Carolyn Weber, author of Surprised by Oxford, a favorite read for me in 2012. A bit of a book review was given in my 12/18/13 entry as I recalled liking it so much that I read the bulk of it in one weekend.
So-o-o-o to have Dr. Weber speaking at the luncheon, not only slowed me down for a bit but gave me lots of ongoing food for thought. 
Her presentation was entertaining as well as thought provoking. Her book references to TDH were funny as were the new acronym TBH (tall, bald and handsome) 
TIDBITS

• CD is an ambulatory thinker---she likes to walk and think
•  Life is fatal for all....but believers have hope for eternity with Him. 
• Architectural designs of old cathedrals had folks "looking up"---such looking up is much need today as many folks look down as they go about their own busyness! 
• Remember that unbelievers often have no God touchstone in their lives---no God frame of reference. 
• hannah w smith
• It's important to live our lives as a walking Bible (Hannah W. Smith) as we might be the only Bible some people will ever see.

Weber is a true wordsmith, evident in both her writing and her speaking----digging deep into English literature & quoting from literary works of Donne & Sayers to poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. 
Hope to very soon set aside a "Terrific Tuesday" to read her Holy is the Day: Living in the Gift of the Present. Reading Carolyn Weber's works would add a "terrific" label to any day.

Insani-TEA

7:02 am Insani-TEA is trying to post a blog on Cyber Monday---folks must start shopping early in Europe and the far east, Australia,  or wherever the clocks are ahead of us.....and to think California isn't even up yet.
I'll finish editing and post when every jot and tittle doesn't take 30 minutes to load. 
8:09 pm I'M BACK!!

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; 
(Psalm 127:1, NASB)

Insani-TEA---a bitter cuppa defined, but not cured. Yet! 

Excess is insane---where is moderation?

Just this past week, 11 books have been transported from the public library to my house in my latest "book bag" a Buddy and Charlotte gift---and that doesn't count the 4 returned, the one ebook or the latest Louise Penny's The Long Way Home CD.

Excess in books is just an analogy of the real harmful excesses in my life. Excess of my own efforts in problem solving, seemingly for everyone I know. Excessive overplanning. 

Problem solving and overplanning  are the real insanity issues in my life.

Sarah Young's recent Jesus Calling entry was spot on for me----even mentioning habitual problem-solving mode as a distance separator from the Lord.

"Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own." (Jesus Calling, 11/29) 

What an eye-opener---Seeking to fix everything by one's own efforts, is an exercise of futility. It's also a "lack of trust indicator." Pure insanity.

Don't engage in any activity or planning without input from God. Otherwise, you'll be gulping from the cuppa insani-TEA......which will only give you a headache. I know because I've tried.

Hurried Forgetfulness

7/6/13 With more than "our normal number" of  upcoming summer trips, excessive planning has been creeping in to my mindset. Forgetfulness has been rampant. But God....showed me a 7/5/10 Allen Bible Church post that I had printed off 3 year ago. Is there a "July" pattern here?

Hurry, Worry and Ho-Humness too often mark the lives of Christians. Notes that followed indicated that, too often, we describe ourselves by how busy, frenzied and time-squeezed we are. It's as if busyness is a badge of honor. Worry means our lives are significant. In truth, as one man said, "When I listen to myself, I'm coming to realize, I'm too much laced with discontent?"

Questions popped out at me:

Despicable Me 2, a family treat

• Are you worried and hurried? 
• What would God say to you? 
• God has spoken, without stutter, concerning His will for life. Am you listening?

As I pondered these questions, I began to heed those underlying warnings.

Then, I got an offer I couldn't refuse.

I decided not to hurry but to forget all the to-do list items and enjoy the moment.

 I went to a "kiddie" movie.

Dreg of Excessive Planning addendum

6/20/13 Two days ago I posted the "dreg"(sin) in my life. Excessive overplanning. With further research  I "stumbled" on "Over Planners Anonymous." Everything from an "empty blog" and discussion groups---with some like gripe sessions others like funny confessionals (I'm such a super planner that I have to plan time for spontaneity) to thought-provoking devotionals. Funny and convicting. There was even a blog for "Disney trip overplanners." More conviction!

Just naming said dreg as sin was convicting enough for me. But God......didn't leave me there wallowing in  anguish and defeat.

Example of "old school" excessive planning---add to that...electronic calendars w/ audio prompts & emails and piles of post-it notes and you have an idea of the weight of my "dreg."

My blog entry ended with my confession but God began to bring scripture to mind. Reminders for one who trusts in the Lord and not in self from Proverbs 3: 5-6 soothed me with the words of reassurance,  "that as I acknowledge Him, He will direct me, making my paths straight."
Other verses of comfort:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) 

And we know that all things God work for the good of those who know Him.. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

So grateful that God's word always gives hope---even for  "excessive overplanners."

Simplicity group members access to "Overplanners Anonymous."