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)

A day in the life of.....

4/12/12 A day in the life of…..a grandmother with a sad heart. This entry sounds like it’s going downhill----but God…………had me open my Jesus Calling yesterday (3/11) after I kissed loved ones good-by. The first line read, “This is the day I have made, Rejoice and be glad in it.” So I began the day being careful NOT to complain (that would be my natural tendency) about the long distance from 6 of my grands. Focusing instead on thanking the Lord for the time I had been given.

Was it easy? Not exactly. Was it right? Yes. In everything give thanks. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

As the day worn on, regardless of a great walk with Ellen and a schedule change allowing a haircut with Pam (thus a long car ride chat w/ Bernie) I fell back into sadness.

But God……..does not give up on teaching me obedience. As I pulled out the egg carton for a dinner recipe, there in the top was another reminder---Psalm 118:24. It was stamped right on the inside of the carton. I couldn’t help but smile on my gifts of the day.

Has Aldi® always stamped egg cartons with a verse? I don’t recall seeing them before.

Saying Good-bye

Preparing to "eat" from great-great grandmother, Mama Davenport's, heritage snowball bush!

4/11/12 Bye-bye! They're on a plane, heading north to Brooklyn----this house is entirely too quiet and I am too incredibly sad! Yet, how grateful I am for time with family---even if it's short. Looking forward to "Big Water" when all 15  of us will be together again.

Heartfelt Meditation

4/9/12  With my 5 month old granddaughter sitting on my lap during my quiet time, I read aloud verses from the Proverb which I pray for her---one that corresponds with her birth date. She grabbed at the pages. I bowed my head in prayer over her and she grabbed at me. Such a precious time.

I was overcome with emotion for all that I want for this young one. And I was reminded of the importance of passing on a spiritual heritage.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

(Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

 Words can’t be on your heart unless you meditate on them.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: EASTER SUNDAY 2012

4/8/12 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (John 11:25)

House on Poplar that accepts, embraces and proclaims the truth of the resurrection.

Bagpipers fanfare for Lucy and Mommy at the Botanic Gardens sunrise service.

A worthy state flower for Tennessee

Easter Egg Hunt

Tea Party

Brunch

More brunch

Jello Egg Jigglers

Bunny Ears and Feet on her first Easter

Put on a happy face....

4/5/12 Today, all around me, I have been aware of happy faces in both God-made creation and man-made objects.

After a somewhat stormy start to the day, I began to see, indoors and out, “smiley” things---they in turn made me smile.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face (Proverbs 15:13)

These sunflowers transformed into happy faces overnight!

A flowery mustache with a smile hidden somewhere underneath

I think this car actually winked at me as I headed into Walgreens. Bet it made you smile too!

Insights on Aging

4/4/12 I forget that I’m old..........until...... I pull out my Medicare card or experience a new "physical" limitation. This week I began to more fully appreciate 5 devotionals on aging which Katherine A. sent me a few months ago.

Fear of the Lord adds length of life…..Proverbs 10:27

A verse that affirms aging as a blessing. But……this blessing can feel like a double edged sword when the realities of the “aging process” begin to take their toll. But God….provides for that as well---through friends. Friends are the blessings of longevity.

Friends are there to hear all the yuck of your latest malady or the embarrassment of a doctor’s visit. They can even set you straight….when needed. Friends speak truth.

Wounds of a friend can be trusted….(Proverbs 27:6)

For me, God has blessed me with friends who make me laugh, in the midst of truth and even in pain, if need be. Certainly after my cancer surgery, when my mouth was sewn together for 6 weeks, laughter appeared to be a bit of a “stretch.” Just as laughter continues in remembrance of that time, a more recent “episode” has taken laughter up to the “snort” level. Examining room comments from Ann’s doctor, Wynellen’s message relay to doc hubby, JoLynn’s muffled giggles of actual understanding and Ellen’s shared confusion of the wink command. 

My insight on aging---As one ages, friends, who “snort” as they laugh, are precious.

Snort on friends. I'm right there with you appreciating the comfort.

peaceful meditation

4/2/12 Peace…..it’s all from Him, the One who is our Peace. Such began my word study on God, our peace. Jehovah Shâlôm or Yahweh Shâlôm.

Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. (Judges 6:24)

יהוה שׁלום

Jehovah-shalom = "Jehovah is peace"

       1. the name of a sacred altar built by Gideon in Ophrah

Gideon had been face to face with the angel of the Lord having just witnessed a miracle of God’s power. It was at that moment that he recognized who his God was and he worshiped. It was the beginning of the alleviation of Gideon’s fears for both himself and the nation of Israel. That fear was replaced with trust in the Lord. Once trust replaces fear, the result is peace.

I filled an entire page with “peace” verses but I kept going back to Judges 6:24.Knowing the character of the God whom I worship is where “peace” of mind starts. Where peace resides, anxious thoughts are captured and covered by His consolations. (Psalm 94:19) Delight and trust take over.

Perfect peace comes from a mind focused on the Lord.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

When peace resides in the mind, it moves to the heart. A peaceful heart permeates the body.

A heart at peace gives life to the body…..(Proverbs 14:30)

Those are pieces of my peaceful meditation which God is now allowing me to put into practice.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: PALM SUNDAY 2012

 

 

 

Church Greeters on Palm Sunday

Welcoming Blossoms at the East Entrance

A spire that inspires on a bright blue Sunday morning

Young bagpiper's Amazing Grace accompaniment had me in "puddles."

Owen hides Easter eggs (numerous times) for Pop-Pop---the chicken is to let him know he's getting close.

Church, a hot dog lunch and an afternoon of University of Memphis baseball----it's the Liles way!

"Hey! My dad works at FedEx!"

Signing in for the "big" game.

Greeted by Stan "The Man" Bronson---UM's batboy for 50 + years!

Pitcher, Chase Joiner, from my hometown---Hokinsville, KY!!!Note Stan's retired jersey hangs on right field fence!

"Spoils" of the day---Owen finds the home run ball---too bad it was for Tulane.

“SEEING GOD’S HAND”

3/30/12 “Seeing God’s Hand” is always located on the left side of the blog as my way of continuing to look for those God incidences in life. Since my cancer diagnosis and Bobbie McCarty’s authoritative, earnest and encouraging counsel to watch for God’s hand in every aspect of life, I have done just that!

But this time, God’s hand was so evident in someone else’s life, of which I just played a small part, I had to share it in my blog’s BIG space.

Meet Trey Erwin. 

Erwin family photo

• Daughter Molly first told me about this 15 yr. old young man from Collierville who was diagnosed with an “adult” form of pancreatic cancer. 

I, as many others, began praying.

• Article appeared in Memphis Commercial Appeal giving even more details of this “valiant warrior” who chooses to go into this battle with the Lord at his side.

Age-wise, Trey qualified for St. Jude but an “adult” form of cancer cannot be treated there. But God…..St. Jude is helping foot West Clinic bill for his treatments.

Houston High teacher, Karla R., who had been such a prayer warrior for me during my cancer battle, e-mailed asking if I  had any way to get in touch with Sarah Young (author of Jesus Calling) because Trey used that little book every day as his devotional. She gave me his Caring Bridge site. 

• (3/28 am ) I posted telling Trey that I had sent a link of his story to Sarah Young.

• (3/28 pm email from Sarah Young to me)

Trey is an amazing young man! I just posted something on his Caring Bridge page. I hope it will encourage him. Thank you for telling me about this inspiring boy.  

• (3/28 pm Sarah Young posted)

Trey, this is Sarah Young, writing you from way down under in Perth, Australia. Dotsy wrote me about you and said that my book, Jesus Calling, has been helpful to you. I want you to know that I pray daily, at some length, for all readers. So you have been in my daily prayers. I will also pray for you specifically by name.

I am so inspired by your love for Jesus, and your positive, trusting attitude as you go through this ordeal. I just finished writing a book on hope, which is scheduled to release in October. If you like, I'll ask my publisher to send you a copy as soon as the books are available. You can tell me via Dotsy, if you like.

May Jesus bless you and your family with Peace in His Presence, Sarah Young

• (3/29/am, Trey’s mom Lisa, excitedly posted)

He (Trey) reads his devotional book Jesus Calling every morning and does his quiet time.  I called him this morning and told him you are not going to believe this, but Sarah Young signed your guestbook.  He said how cool because he just got through reading this morning's devotion.

Today's verses are very appropriate for what he is feeling in his frustration of wanting to help and see what God is doing in this world.

John 16:33  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Ecc. 3:1  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;" 

Jesus Calling says ~ "Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.  When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda.  If is isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties."

• 3/29 e-mail received from Trey’s mom

When I saw it (Sarah Young’s CB post) this morning, I called him immediately and said TREY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!  I read her post to him.  He thought that was so cool.  I gave the book (Jesus Calling) to him over a year ago and he reads it over and over, just like I do.  It stays by his pillow on his bed next to his iphone.  Yes! He would love to have her book (soon to be published “Hope” book)  It might be just what he needs.  Thank you very much!

• 3/30/12 Book request info was given to Sarah Young and she contacted her publisher---done deal!--- 

Read 2 comments from others

….. from a Collierville School teacher

Trey, you have been in my prayers daily along with your parents and Collin! I, too, read "Jesus Calling" each day. This book has touched so many lives! I pray this week you will have more strength. 
Camille Valentine

....from folks who don't know Trey
Trey & Family, even though we have never met nor have our paths crossed in anyways. We first heard your story on K-love And it has touched our lives and our Hearts forever. We continue to Pray for our Healing God to make Trey stronger each passing day. His love for our God is so powerful And he has inspired us to begin reading Jesus Calling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you each day. Sincerely, 
Mary & Amber S. 

I see God’s hand all over this young man’s life. A life of one whom I’ve never met and yet a life that blesses me to the core. Thanks, Trey!

Join me in praying God's best for him!