"SIP & SEE"

2/27/10 A “Sip & See” is such a lovely Southern tradition. It gives folks a way to see baby #2 or #3 and delight in his/her arrival. Over a cup of tea or punch, friends and relatives come together to mingle and coo and goo over the family’s recent bundle of joy. It’s a time of celebration for all that a baby represents---from chubby toes and fingers, smacking lips, and sweet smells, (mostly), to purity, innocence and hope. It’s all about the baby. He or she is the focus of the event. Today was Watson’s “sip & see” and I was disappointed to have to miss it.

I thought about it this morning as I sipped my “cuppa” and prayed for this youngster, just over a month old. I was having my own sip and see---a cup of Bewley’s Irish Breakfst Tea in one hand and my prayer journal in the other.
A "spiritual sip and see" is a great way to begin my day. I delight in it---a robust cup of tea, one with a bold smooth flavor. A “cuppa” that’s a real eye-opener to get me focused---so that I have eyes to see the One who is not only pure and innocent but also the hope for eternal life. I’m disappointed if I can't attend.

Friday Frame of Mind

2/26/10 If you’ve ever worked in an educational setting you understand that phrase. When you awaken, you know. You’re step is lighter. The sun is brighter, even if there isn’t any. Dressing is easier because “casual” has been purchased to support St. Jude. All and all one’s mood is pretty upbeat. Those moods based on circumstance can reflect a "Friday Frame of Mind" any day of the week especially when life hands you a little "ease." The facts of Friday that aren’t conditional, it’s always right before the weekend. That thought of 2 days off can make most anything tolerable. Circumstances shouldn’t so greatly affect one’s moods but they can, and often do, whether you work outside the home or not.

So, what can one do about it? Make the most of it!! If you’re feeling good, help someone else feel good. If you find yourself with a lifted spirit because it’s Friday or you are rested or you found a stash of money you had forgotten you hid, use your joy---spread it---do something for someone else’s circumstance that might make their day a little easier or a little brighter. If a friend is struggling with exercise, show up and walk with him or her, a dieting friend might appreciate a cup of tea and a Weight Watchers 1 point snack, a worried friend, who can talk your ear off, might need you to listen just one more time.
Live out the good news. Be a light. Encourage someone. Do good to all especially to those who are partners in the gospel.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," (Hebrews 3:13)

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

The question is……will you share your “Friday Frame of Mind” while it is still “today” or do you have an excuse.

Monday Mind Seeks Refuge

2/22/10 Our inner refuge is where we go when the world gets to be too much. It’s the place we turn to when the hurts /concerns seem to drive us away. It’s a place without walls. It’s our mind. That’s where our reasoning power resides. It also houses our beliefs and opinions and lots of feelings. To me it can only hold so much---something that seems to lessen with age. Thus it needs to be filled with “worthy” thoughts. A Monday Mind. That’s what meditating Mondays are about---filling our minds with His word which is worthy. We create a refuge of thoughts. Then the right thoughts are there when we need them.

Today fill your mind to capacity with His truth.....

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall
into the heart of the sea
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake
with their surging.

(Psalm 46:1-3)

.....and your mind will find refuge.

FFTF 2 (aka Food for Thought Friday)

2/19/10 Whom would you choose to be chained to 24/7? Why did that person come to mind? How would you bide your time during your “imprisonment?” Would anyone you know choose you, if asked the same question?

My dear friend, who is also doing the Philippians study, and I discussed this question. In Philippians 2:12-14 it describes Paul’s time in chains. The palace/praetorian guard would have been with the prisoner, under house arrest, 24 hours a day. Paul speaks specifically of chains. Thus the question.

You might even ask yourself, what other things in my life am I “chained” to and how are they affecting me?

His Name is........

2/18/10 ........John. Names are important. Adam gave names to all the animals. In Bible study last night we studied Philippians 2:5-11 and recalled that the Father gave the Son the name which is above every name---the name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. A good name is to be chosen rather than riches. (Proverbs 22:1)

To know someone by name and to be known by others who can call you by name is also a form of richness. Are their people whose paths you cross whose names you don't know---the checkout lady at Kroger or the clerk at the cleaners. Why not take the time to find out. Calling them by name just might make their day.

My mailman's name is John. What's your "postperson's" name?

Z=Zephyr (and you thought we'd never get here)

2/15/10 Last month in God Calling, the “two listeners” were encouraged to “Listen quietly.” “Cultivate silence. God speaks in silences.” A silence, a soft wind. Each can be a message to convey My meaning to the heart, though by no voice, or even word.”

Zephyr is from the Greek word Zephyros meaning a slight wind (usually refreshing). We need to attune ourselves to our Zephyr—whether His nudges are slight breezes or the whirlwind. He’s the wind beneath our wings, the wind in our sail and the wind at our back. He’s always there. We need to live in that truth.

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
(Nahum 1:3, ESV)

UNMASKED on MONDAY

2/15/10 Yesterday, sitting in the very intimate Hattieloo Theater, and getting drawn into the plot, I forgot that these were actors just dressed up. Playing parts. Taking on new personas to entertain the audience. These characters were not really who they seemed to be.
Just like actors, we are not who we appear to be. Most of us try to create an acceptable illusion. We hide reality of our lives behind masks.
When the curtain drops on our day or when the “show” closes forever, we will find ourselves confronted with our own actions. What will we say when the Lord says, “Show me your deeds?”

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom (James 3:13)

Our world/life can become a theatrical performance. We can wear ourselves out trying to be who we think others want us to be. We live under pretense so that others won’t know our shame or our wretchedness.

……..The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

Unmask before Him today. He already knows the heart. Play the role He gives. He is your audience of one. The only One who counts.

Food for Thought Friday

2/12/10
As a youngster did you ever fish around your bowl of “M’m! M’m! Good!” ™ vegetable soup trying to spell out words? Words are an important part of daily life. Our choice of words reflects who we are. But these things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart; (Matthew 1:18)

Mother used to threaten to put the “quietus” on my social life if I didn’t meet my curfew. (30 minutes after Teen Town closed) Those words came from her heart of love for me. Though they carried an ominous tone of threat, they got my attention.

My grandmothers cared greatly for me as well. Both were believers. Yet, their vocabulary was certainly different. Gena: “no good can come of a girl gallivantin' around with a painted face” or “if you get up and start fannin’ around before you’re good ‘n well, you’ll relapse;” Mama D.: “Always remember that God loves you.” During my growing up years no other adult I can recall spoke as easily of the Lord as Mama Davenport did. God was the most used word in her vocabulary. How easy it is to praise her God---Very God of Very God---her church creed, her heart creed, and thus her lifestyle creed.

What words do your family and friends hear coming from your mouth?

Y= Yahweh

2/10/10 Preparing to write a blog on “Y = yoke” I began to mull over all the ways the Lord had carried my burdens this past year. Indeed his yoke is easy and burden is light and I had learned much from His humble and gentle heart. (Matthew 11: 28-30) But God……………showed me Himself through Elijah via 1 Kings 17 and a devotional by St. Trphon the Martyr.

Elijah, whose name means “Yahweh is God,” was a prophet whose name is significant because he prophesied during a time when the worship of Baal threatened to extinguish the worship of God (Yahweh) in Israel. (Ryrie Study Bible)

YHWH

Elijah had predicted a drought in the land, “neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1 Kings 17: 1) and the Lord provided a brook of fresh water and the ravens fed him while he hid in the place the Lord provided for him.

“Some time later the brook dried up.” (v. 7) Have you ever had a brook dry up in your life? Maybe a brook of fellowship dried up as you attended the funeral of a believer with whom you had enjoyed the partnership of the gospel or stood at the grave of a beloved family member. During this time of recession many have seen a financial brook dry up. For some a business failure has completely dried up their river-beds. For others the “cuts” and years without raises have slowly eroded their “just in case” stockpile or retirement funds. A friend’s brook of a happy marriage no longer bubbled with happiness but dried up as she faced the ugly bare rocks left by adultery. Last year, fears of facing pain and surgery dried up my brook of good health.
But Yahweh…….speaks to us and provides for us just as He did for Elijah. “Then the word of the Lord came to him:” (v.8) Then (to me that’s almost synonymous with “in God’s timing”) God’s word came. Maybe Yahweh allows those dried up brooks in our lives to get us to the point where we’ll be able to hear Him.

Life is full of “dried-up brooks” but Yahweh is there. He is the Lord of life, even the dried-up brooks. For it’s in those dried-up brooks where we are attuned to clearly hear His word---if we’ll just listen.

X = eXalted One

2/9/10 Why should we exalt (magnify, lift up and honor) the Lord and extol (exalt & glorify) His name at all times? The answer is found in scripture.

• He shows us the exceeding riches of grace through His kindness (Ephesians 2:7) (KJV)
• He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think… (Ephesians 3:20) (KJV)
• So we don’t exalt ourselves (Psalm 140:8) (KJV)
• His name is excellent in all the earth. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:1) (KJV)

My grandmother’s concordance defines excellent as worthy and valuable. Even Webster defines excellent as of the highest quality, exceptional----“high and lifted up” came to my mind.

• He eXchanged our sins for His life. (2 Corinthian 5:21, John 1:29 ) NASB

• He left us an eXample to follow. (1 Peter 2:21) (KJV)

• Will you eXtol the Lord at all times and allow His praise always to be on your lips? (Psalm 34:1) (KJV)

As you eXamine Exodus 15:2 today, you will realize there is no eXcuse for not eXalting Him.

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him, my Father’s God and I will exalt Him.

He alone is worthy of our exaltation!