"Lifter Uppers"

Been feeling low these past few days, especially in my lower back....but God sent a lifter upper from the "land of the living" (Psalm 27:13) and from His word.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Psalm 3:3)

A plethora of "lifter uppers"---an encouraging email from a "new to me" sister in California plus food with flowers from Jerrie's yard and Dove chocolate served with God's truth.

Meditation" Mine or Thine: a Q and A

Randolph Walker stated in yesterday's (7/7/15) Commercial Appeal "Letters to the Editor," that "classic Judeo-Christian meditation is not about blanking out the mind." I concur. For many folks a blank mind easily turns to thoughts of SELF. Then, meditation easily becomes all about me.
My thoughts, (self-centered) not Thy thoughts. (other centered)
I practice meditation with God's word available---usually my Bible is open on my lap. Mr. Walker sees meditation as a "practice of reflecting on God's goodness."
Scripture at my fingertips helps me do just that.

Though prayer and meditation are different, they are not antithetical. Both are reminders of God's goodness. Meditation often serves as a springboard for prayer in a complementary way.

So.....does one meditate with the idea of discovering thoughts that are "all mine and will help me out" or does meditation help one focus on "Thine" as thoughts from Him with His help to direct those thoughts?

Rick Warren says it well in his first sentence on the first page of his book, The Purpose Driven Life. "It isn't all about you."

That pretty much sums it up.

The question, "Who is meditation about?"

The answer is, "Thee, not me"----especially in meditation.

GLORY BUMPS 2

Glory Bumps have been on my radar before. I even alluded to them in last week's teaching.
Glory bumps are precipitated by an awareness of God’s involvement in those incidences in our lives with a spiritual connection. A goose pimply feeling which one experiences when a God-ordained incidence touches her heart and often spreads to others within hearing distance of said experience.
CO-incidences are seen by the world----as a chance encounter/happening.....but believers are taught that the prefix "CO" stands for Christ Ordained.

I experienced "glory bumps" this morning as I shared with sweet Debbie Park, our church receptionist, how the Lord had orchestrated my 2015 prayer list for Allen Bible Church.
Admittedly, there are many directions which prayers can take, but God....began a work (Philippians 1:6) in late December/early January as I prayed about my annual "list." A privilege I have enjoyed since the church plant 10+ years ago.
I sought spiritual guidance for specific verses to pray for ABC. All of the verses selected were from the book of First Thessalonians, particularly chapters 4 & 5.

In April, after Easter, ABC's pastor, son Buddy, began a new series, "Exalt Still More," a study in I Thessalonians. As I have listened to his on-line sermons, I have heard him preaching from many of the verses I had already been praying for his congregation----since January, no less.

Sharing this experience with DP produced major "Glory Bumps" for me.

Photo simulation---Debbie just rubbed her arms.

Contagious glory bumps.

Debbie "caught" those glory bumps too.

Dance Step "E"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A Springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

The Message version of the concluding verse says it well---

You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance;

You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.

I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you.

God, my God, I can’t thank you enough. (Psalm 30:11)

A KJV version whether "written on the tablet of one's heart" (Proverbs 3:3) or hanging at her backdoor, emphases "mourning turned into dancing" by Him.

Dance step “E” Extending & Encouraging

D eciding, Delving, Discovering  (Psalm 119: 139 & 160)

A ccepting & Attending (1 Thess. 2:13)

N oticing God’s Hand in ALL Circumstances (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C elebrating God’s goodness and being thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)

E xtending lessons learned during one’s own struggle as a way of Encouraging others. (Psalm 89:1)

Last week's Dance Step "C" dealt with celebrating God’s gooness in all aspects of life and giving thanks in all the "little" things. Big blessings tend to result as folks fill their heats with gratitude, which results in even more celebrating. 

Wrapping up the D.A.N.C.E. aspects of "Dancing with the Lord" included 2 movements for "E"----extending and encouraging. 

Extending = sharing one's story/journey/struggle with others. 

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness, to all generations” (Psalm 89:1)

Encouraging =  (even above my fireplace)

An 10/8/09 letter from MAC survivor, Michèle  encouraged me to share my story with others---to extend the blessings I discovered in the middle of a cancer journey as a way to encourage others in the midst of their struggles. 

Teaching “dance lessons” this summer and celebrating Michèle's upcoming July 4th seven years of survival, I was reminded of the responsibility I had learned from her....(WORTH THE READ)

.....we all  have, as “household of faith” survivors of what ever tough place of hurt or painful struggle we have encountered, to stand at the top and call down to those still struggling to the summit.  Whether they’re emotional, physical, or spiritual, the mountains we’ve conquered are not ours to own, but ours to share.  

We might not always want to revisit the pain we’ve suffered or the crippling we’ve endured, but if we don’t offer them to others as a testimony of God’s sustenance and love, our fellow travelers may not have to courage to find their way to the top. 

My encouragement to you, Dotsy?  

Speak of the treacherous paths and looming precipices you’ve known, tell the story of your climb, the tale of your survival.  And when you’ve reached a place that is beautiful and stable and “breathable,” call down to those who follow and tell them of the strength that comes from surrendered weakness, of the peace that comes from vulnerable faith.  Tell them that you stumbled.  Tell them that you wanted to give up.  Tell them that you were bruised by doubt and battered by despair…but that you made it.  You.  Made.  It.  And the view from the summit of survival?  It’s priceless.

So......from my heart and above my fireplace, "I hope you dance" and tell others (extend to them) how the Lord orchestrated your dance that your words might to encourage them. ( TX Doris for the pic)

Dance Step "C"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A Springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" Discussions 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

Last week's Dance Step "N" had each one “take notice” of God’s hand in all aspects of life. Once the "noticing" had one really looking to see the Lord's participation, there was cause to segue to the next step----"C" for celebration. 

Intentionality, in looking for God's hand often results in Glory Bumps.  The more we see His involvement in life, the more prevalent those "bumps" become.

Glory Bumps are similar to the goose pimply feeling that you get when you read a Hallmark card or hear a story that touches your heart. But “glory bumps” are more than that. Glory bumps are precipitated by an awareness of God’s involvement--a “God thing” a "God wink"---those incidences in our lives with a spiritual connection.  Glory bumps might result from seeing a miracle or a moving of God’s hand or just from experiencing the grand sense of LIFE that is beyond our comprehension. 

One's circumstances and situations might not change but an attitude adjustment can give a new perspective. Thanksgiving follows and a thankful heart is always a cause for celebration!

An "attitude of gratitude" helps to make even the seemingly "small" steps toward a life of abunDANCE seem worth celebrating! Dance Step "C," a dance of celebration, goes hand and hand with gratitude! 

D eciding, Delving, Discovering  (Psalm 119: 139 & 160)

A ccepting & being Attentive (1 Thess. 2:13)

N oticing God’s Hand in ALL Circumstances (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C elebrating God’s goodness and being thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)

E 

Finding great summation notes in the front of a "used copy from Amazon" of a study book, could cause "glory bumps" if one was prepping for a test!

Dancing with Daddy

According to my journal, 6 years ago today I danced with Daddy at my 45th class reunion.

Between cancer surgeries. Unmasked.

What a privilege! What a memory!

Fond memory brings the light of the days around me. (Thomas More)

Green Light "GO"

I don't think there is a traffic light in Gallaway, TN but I, along with Urban Spoon, give the town's sole "lunch" restaurant, Sling Shot Charlie's, a "green light" for it's southern cuisine.

Greens served there are "the best yet" in my book. Fried green tomatoes were tasty as well----but.....isn't every thing "southern fried" pretty tasty! 

A Green Light "go" to the corner of TN Hwy 70 and TN Hwy 196 to choose from the menu board of daily entrees and veggies, green and beyond.

Celebrate Life

Celebrate life and "dance in the rain." If there's no rain, go to a spray ground with your child or grand child. Celebrate and dance today.

YES---that's Lucy dancing..... a dance of summer celebration!

Dance Step "N"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" Discussions 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

**Because you asked for info--- "Dancing in the Chips" story is from And God Said...Let There Be Laughter by Mary Hollingsworth.

Dance Lesson --N

D ecide (Joshua 24:14) Delve (Psalm 119:169) & Discover  (Psalm 119:130) 

A cceptance and Attentiveness (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

N otice God's hand in ALL areas of life (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C ....

E ....

Noticing involves intentionality. It seems that the more one “notices”, God’s hand in her life situations, the more God allows her to really see. Awareness becomes more constant/consistent. 

“Notice” verse--Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! (Psalm 66:5) Begin to LOOK for it!

Noticing involves focus and sometimes even positional change can give a new perspective.

Focus and position are essential in our "dance" especially in times of struggle when the "closed position" is needed, both in stance and time away from distractions. Focus on your "dance partner." Time in His Presence. Remember the One who is leading. See self as the "follower."

• ·      Close contact is employed as two dancers face toward each other.
• ·      A sense of connectedness occurs as the “leader’s” right hand is on the “follower’s” back, offering “step” security.
• ·      The “follower's” left hand is on the “leader's” right shoulder or upper arm near the shoulder, allowing an extra sense of directional change.
• ·      Palm to palm in an upper-hand clasp, the “follower’s” right hand is in the “leader’s” left hand, providing guidance.
• ·      Feet are often positioned slightly offset so that the right foot of either partner can step between the other partner's feet, aiding in transition.
• ·      Eyes are lifted thus the focus is away from the feet and ears are open for “whisper” clues.

D2D Dare to Dance

Faithful Fathers

A Daddy's love is immeasurable. I had a loving dad; I watched my husband be a loving dad and now I watch my "boys" be loving dads. Daddies who show up. 

Swim school. Bike rides. Times in the park. Daddy days. Ball games. Lunch at school with cafeteria food. Scavenger hunts. Emergency room visits. Neighborhood adventures. Beach trips. Farm trips. Ski trips. Pumpkin picking. Strawberry picking. Carousel rides. Fishing events. Naps. Storytimes. Campfires.

Dads who show up----early---late---and times in between. In a child's eyes "showing up" counts.

How blessed are all my grands----each has a GREAT DADDY!

Sweet friend Mary Flo Ridley said it well on her Daddy Factor entry---The blessing of a faithful father is so important, that God made sure everyone could have one in Him, so that even when our earthly fathers don’t show up….He does. What a double blessing for my grandkids to have both!