CHOOSE: UPWARD SPIRAL

Noticing this downward spiral stair case inside the new Church Health Center at the Crosstown Concourse started me thinking.

In my thinking, spiraling usually has a downward connotation.
In one's thought life, is it just as easy for something to spiral upward?

I assume bad choices and stressors in life can have tremendous negative impact---a downward spiral of sorts. But....can there be a positive spiral, one with an upward motion?

Recent marginalia sent me on this pursuit of understanding positive and negative emotions. Are there benefits to both?

Negative emotions can help us survive. Positive emotions help us thrive.

If a downward spiral is a metaphor for deterioration (negative) then upward spiral must be a metaphor for growth. (positive) Yet, both have momentum. 

For sure, too much of any spiral can be dizzying. Upward spiral is directed towards a higher place. But what happens if a downward spiral in one's  thought life has them bottoming out emotionally? Physically? Spiritually?

Can a successful turnaround occur just by choosing the "thought" direction of one's spiral? 

According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s book, Confidence, an upward spiral focuses with confidence. Certain resources that accompany this confidence could be trust, accountability, knowledge, or any asset that helps a business, community or individual thrive.

If so, I choose today to think on and "thrive" with an upward spiral focus.

CHOOSE: TO SEE ANEW

WOW---I have walked this same path 3 days now and this is the first time I have seen this beauty!

I don't know the name but what a picture of a "seed-bearing" plant! It looks like it bears the seed in a "cup" and then the seed sprouts in its own cup. AMAZING!!

"God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth..." (Genesis 1:29)

He put this one right here in Texas. I just had to walk by it a couple of times before I noticed it!

God gave it.  I'll just have to search the name for myself unless some reader out there can supply this info. 

CHOOSE: A TEXAS MOTHER'S DAY

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31:28)

CHOOSE: TO SEE

Choose to see in nature.....scientific proof following God's truth about creation.

Then God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them"; and it was so.
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)

And it was so. 
And it is still so.
And it is still good.

God created the earth not to be empty but He formed it to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18) And what beauty He added to it for the inhabitants to enjoy!

And it is beautiful for me to behold as I choose to see His handiwork bear out His truth in nature.

And behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

CHOOSE: NEIGHBORING

"Community" verses continue to speak to my heart.

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.
(1 Corinthians 7:17)

Whatever situation my town/city and I are facing is not a random selection but is ordained by God.

My situation and assignment take place just east of the "mighty Mississippi" and extend to my immediate neighborhood.

He has placed me on "my" street for the last almost 39 years.

From one man He made all the nations, that should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed time in history and the boundaries of their lands/habitations. (Acts 17:26)

Choosing neighboring in my city and "my" dwelling place on "my" street, seems all the more important when I remember that He has placed me there----for His purpose.

CHOOSE: TO SEE GOD

See God in creation. I do.
Do you? (Romans 1:12)

The meaning of the universe is God going public for the glory of God. (John Piper)

I am the One who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hand I stretched out the heaven. ( Isaiah 45:12)


Have you ever in your life commanded the morning? And caused the dawn to know its place, (Job 38:12)


I choose to see God in nature because I am awed by His work of creation. Are you?

CHOOSE: A WORTHY READ

So many books---how does one distinguish a worthy read! No perfect answer there. (Ecclesiastes 12:12) However, many times I'll continue to read books by a favorite author. Though even that is no guarantee.

Lisa Wingate has yet to fail me in book choices---though I admit I have not read all 30 of her fiction titles.

Her newest book, Before We Were Yours, which is set in Memphis 1936, will be released next month. It has already received RAVE REVIEWS. "Alternately shocking and heart-wrenching, yet ultimately redemptive."

Ultimately the Bible is THE Worthy Read and the best choice for the ultimate non-fiction!

But.....if fiction is the choice of your day, you might consider Tending Roses or other Lisa Wingate books.

CHOOSE: PONDERING ON THE PATIO

Sanctuary---a sacred place of sorts. My patio is such a spot when neighbors aren't out, hubby's not home and extraneous noises are kept at bay. A place to think and ponder on "Meditation Monday."

This morning was such a time. (Psalm 5:3) A time when I pondered my saying, "I don't have time" as a sign I'm running on my own schedule and not God's. Think frantic, frustrated, and harried.
"There is always enough time to do the will of God." (E. Elliott, Discipline, p. 99)
Frustration is NOT the will of God, I know that. I just don't live like I know that.

Choosing to "ponder" on the patio has allowed me to put my time in His hands. How refreshing!

CHOOSE: A DANIEL-TYPE PRAYER

Frustrations were the "order of the day" yesterday, though I certainly didn't order it.
OOPS, I still had a choice in my response to all the snafus.
As Anne Graham Lotz reminds us in The Daniel Prayer, (p. 245) :
IF prayer is...

• one of the supreme boys of your life,
• the throbbing heartbeat of your relationship with God,
• the nearest will be this side of Heaven,
• our compass that helps keep us on the right path

....then why is it so hard?
Because prayer is a battle---a fight.

That's why, when I struggled yesterday to be clear minded and self-controlling, (1 Peter 4:7),
I used God's Word from Daniel 9:1-23.
I Chose a Daniel-type prayer.

CHOOSE: NATIONAL FOCUS FOR PRAYER

National Day of Prayer 2017! 

The focus across the nation has been on Daniel's prayer (Daniel 9:1-23) especially from Daniel 9:19.

Lord, listen. Lord forgive! Lord, hear and act!   

Yet, as try to type this entry....here's what keeps happening over and over. Imagine that!!!

I choose to keep praying for our nation....and to keep trying to post!