MINDFUL MEDITATION: A GREAT REDUNDANCY

Robert Morgan's, All to Jesus, day 203 was last Monday's  (July 22) devotional reading. It was right on the money for this gal whose life is too often filled with fear, flurry and fretting. His reminder was from a quote by St. Francis de Sales, "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in in a calm spirit." Mull over God's word. No flurry.

For me, cultivating a quiet mind requires much mulling over scripture. Perfect assignment for Meditation Monday. As I will be teaching "Meditative Prayer" at Town Village tomorrow, the reminder was very timely for that lesson as well.

THOTS

Trusting Him On This Subject/Scripture

Today, God used another Morgan book, Redeeming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation, to continue my "mulling over mindful matters"---as I call to mind, holy thoughts of what God has for me today and allow Him to show me the way to go. (Psalm 143:8)

This month I have had this picture posted near my kitchen table---a great morning reminder. A verse for meditation. A verse to pray for my adult kids, their spouses and all "my" "grands. Plus, God has brought many others to mind so I've prayed for them as well. Psalm 143:8 is also on typed card by my prayer chair and on a post-it note upstairs in our computer room. 

Mindful meditation on this one verse has me focusing again today on, "show me the way I should go." Not "my" way.....but "Thy" way, O Lord.

Trusting God instead of my "to-do" list has calmed my spirit and allowed me to see His priorities and today that means I "stay put" at 1152. Obviously more mindful mulling is still needed.

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Funerals offer truths that one can really take to heart---especially funerals of the faithful. (Psalm 116:15)*

Joe Black---Uncle Joe's funeral was such an event. His granddaughter, Rachel, added proof as she recalled her grandfather's continuous love and encouragement for her from when he first bounced her on his knee until his last hug from his deathbed. Family knows the real truth about ones life not just what the world sees. In this instance, the two matched. (Romans 10::9-10) A letter from son Joey shared more examples of this life well-lived and son Jeff strumming his guitar and singing, "How Great Thou Art, brought many to tears.
From boxing and body-building  to railroad man, this meek man with quiet power, power under control, gave respect to others and therefore received respect from all whose paths he crossed. He enjoyed fun times with others---especially his SAW meetings near his Oakland home. Seniors Against Work.

Joe Black was Mommar's only surviving sibling, the one who watched after sibling Charles when she (Mary) and her sisters, Liz and Maxine, had all passed away, and even before that. How fitting it was that Joe put the urn of  brother Charles' ashes inside his own coffin for his final resting place as well. A brother who was faithful to the very end. Joe knew though his "earthly tent was being destroyed that he had a building from God, an eternal house in heaven." (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Do I hear an "Amen"?

*While attending this family funeral another friend in the faith passed away. A godly man. A faithful husband. A devoted father. A respected lawyer. 
His passing is precious to the Lord but it certainly leaves a big hole in hearts of our entire church and others who knew him as he fulfilled his vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. (Psalm 116:14)

How appropriate was the verse on the front of his memorial service bulletin---because everyone who knew Lance could see that he "had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) Even the quote on the back gave insight into this lifelong Memphian's faith as He trusted God's plan for his life regardless of the struggles. Like Eldon Roark, former Memphis Press-Scimitar "Strolling"columnist from 1933-1979, Lance believed Scripture to be the final authority for all faith and practice.

Be of good cheer. God is in the plan. (Mattie Dear) A frequent contributor to "Strolling".

Each believer can be of good cheer knowing that both his/her earthly life and eternal life are in the hands of a loving sovereign God.

Do I hear another "Amen"!

SERENE SABBATH: a synopsis

Sunday in an analogous capsule---since I've been swallowing many recently in my  somewhat homebound state

--Wake-up jolt---arrow prayers of thx.

--Swallow predniSONE w/food.  Breathing treament #1.

--Conviction.
--Reminders on prayer chair pillow, on journal, plaque and computer room wall calligraphy.

--I am waiting for the storm of this obstructive pulmonary disease to pass. Waiting for better days instead of seizing "ordinary" moments with a grateful heart.

I have quit dancing.
Dance Dotsy---as you did on your cancer journey. Get your eyes off of your circumstances. Look up into the eyes of your dance partner.

--Sabbath Rest * needed. No brick and  mortar church today. *Adam Mabry describes "Sabbath Rest" as a holy rest, a lingering with Him---a time of refreshment. A time to "breathe, pray, eat, reflect, worship." (p.113-118) Sounds like a plan to me!!
--Son Buddy's "One Anothering" sermon, Sing to one another." 

--I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing...
I'm gonna pray when the Spirit says pray, and obey the Spirit of the Lord.
--10am Symbicort puffs.
--Chat outside with 4 neighbors.
--Postural drainage with percussion treatment (clapping back w/ cupped hand.
--Another breathing treatment.
--PM vitamins & pro-biotic consideration.
--A healthy leftover salad for lunch (no prep needed by me) & an entire Hershey Bar w/ almonds for snack--& it wasn't even dark chocolate...........hm-m-m-m!

Began NYX best seller The Second Mountain.
Brooks had me at the intro.....describing one who radiates with joy as a person who delights in small pleasures and grateful for big ones, not perfect people but exhausted and stressed BUT they live for others, not for themselves. (xi, emphasis mine) Having reached the top of the first mountain of our culture that is built on personal identity, money, career, success and finding it "unsatisfying," Many reasons knock people of this mountaintop to the valleys, often breaking them open to bewilderment or a season of suffering. The valley is the making of them and as it interrupts the flow of everyday life. Within themselves they see an ability to care, to transcend self and care for others. They are finally able to love their neighbors as themselves, not as a slogan or scriptural type cliche

 

.............but I did check the Index to see where he was going. Found;  Christainity (15), grace (1), Jayber Crow (5), Jesus (8), Kierkegaard (5), C.S. Lewis, (16),
 --Listing "Breath " verses to ponder.
--Pausing to pray for Susan, my discipler, as it is her day & to ponder NT verses; Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 4:19, Mark 12:31-32 & Acts 17:25, with Serendipity NewTestament given to us by the Duntsches 30 yrs ago.

--Praising Him.
--Posturing for a nap, in a sitting position to aid breathing and allow for needed physical rest.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." (Psalm 150:6)

GLORIOUS FREEDOM!

Freedom is celebrated! In local parades as well as DC. 

In cookouts, al fresco dining and fireworks. **

It's the American way---for a country founded on freedom.

Expressions are emailed, tweeted and recorded. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation, (Meacham & McGraw) recalled hymns and declarations from the past reminding me of our country's independence founded, "under God" and for the people. Even Abigail Adams is quoted as she urged her husband John & other members of the Continental Congress not to forget our nation's women, "I desire you would remember the ladies." (Songs, p.27) 

McGraw reminded all that, independence in America is not easy---it's a never-ending struggle to pursue the promises of liberty and freedom that our Founding Fathers envisioned. Again, "one nation, under God" comes to my mind......

......as I picked up my Bible for reassurances of the "freedom" that truly counts. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..that's glorious freedom! (Gal. 5:1)

**Remembering a 4th of July (2004) with long-time friend Ann Martin at Blackberry Farm w/our our own fireworks.

ETCHED IN STONE

Sometimes great reminders are right at your feet.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY!

• Romans 15:13. ... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Nehemiah 8:10. ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Isaiah 35:10.....Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Psalm 16:11. ... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Psalm 27:6. ... I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
• Psalm 28:7...The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him 
• Psalm 126:2-3. ...The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

CHOOSE JOY--ETCH IT IN STONE! 

BETTER YET, WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART!

WILTING AWAY

Why is it so easy for good intentions to wilt away right before my eyes? Just like my sunny bright yellow bouquet did yesterday! Wilted & faded right before by eyes---just as my breath has faded this week until breathing treatments began to kick in. 

My energy cuppa is depleted. Do I need a cuppa S-TEA-rength???? 

"For with You is the fountain of life;" (Psalm 37:9a) I need to draw energy and direction from the "Fount" of every blessing. Inhaling deeply comes to mind. Inhaling at much all has been such a physical struggle this last week. 

But God......lead me to an Oswald Chambers quote. "Watch how God will wither up your confidence in natural virtues....and in any power you have, until you  learn to draw your life (my very breath) from the reservoir of life.... of Jesus."(My Utmost For His Highest, 12/30) Then Chambers added, "Thank God if you are going through a drying up experience." So, that's what I'm doing as I hang on to his word, especially in different translations of Psalm 87:7. It's keeping me focused that my strength comes from nothing "natural" or pharmaceutically but only from the Jesus, One True Source.........

And while they dance, people sing: “The source of my life comes from you.” (CEB)All my springs of joy are in you. (NASB)The source of my life springs from Jerusalem! (NLT)
All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you. (AMPC)            My fountains are in Thee. (YLT) 

As I was pondering these truths, Hubby came in the door with a perfect focal point from the farmer's market---A sunflower!....

...."not wilted" in any way and had survived last night's hail storm. Note all the seeds of hope in the middle of it!
Sunflower----a happy gift, a gift that symbolizes adoration of the One who created the sun and the sunflower. 

SUMMER SWEETNESS!

What a perfect quote for all book-loving folks.

A permission granting quote of sorts. So.....grab a book and find some shade.

Better yet, share a book with your granddaughter......or grandson.....
and let them choose between 2 of your offerings......

or go to a book group and discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, not light-hearted fare but intriguing, none the same.

A summer read, how sweet that can be!

WHAT A QUIVER!

Celebrating birthdays of two of our grandchildren this week reminded me of the verses from Psalm 127:3a & 5a, Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,....How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. In our family all of our children have suffered loss in childbearing and yet the Lord has continued to bless them in unexpected ways with more "arrows" for their quiver.

Just his week as grandson # 4 turned 12 on 6/12, today grandchild # 8 celebrated his 1st birthday.

As each of our children's families have been blessed, so have we----as we now await surprise # 9 grandchild and only the 2nd girl in the quiver. 

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6) We celebrate the fulness of each of those quivers, even if its with blueberry pancakes instead of birthday cake! Tomorrow's "Jam Session" party for toddlers with drums will get to "eat cake."

WORDSMITH WEDNESDAY

Lexicography of symbols.
Many folks think a picture says more than a thousand words but these days of computerese, one needs to be careful.  LOL! I rarely even use an emoji for that very reason. I don't have a clue what many of them "mean"--- semantically ambiguous comes to mind."

Catching up on this week's "funnies" aka as "the comics, I came across a word I never recall seeing in print or hearing for that matter. "BRIFFIT."

BRIFFIT. Can you see it in Sarge's word balloon? 

It's speed indicative as if someone left so fast 

they left behind a cloud of smoke. (lower right)

Obviously there's a lexicon for cartoonists. In fact, Mort Walker, Beetle Bailey's original creator, wrote a book about it, The Lexicon of Comicana. It's a brief book on the language of symbols.

I just didn't know cartoonists used so many illustrations instead of words. Spacewise that's smart. Word balloons I'm familiar with, as I can know which character is speaking reading the balloon above his head. Hearts bubbling out of character's head is an emanta and indicates emotion of love is emanating from him.  I've see lines of motion which clearly indicate speed and often direction. Now I know they are labeled hites. Drops of sweat that spray from a character indicate distress are called plewds. The more upset, the greater number of plewds.

Profanity is left out and grawlixes are used instead. For that, I am grateful! (Ephesians 4:29)

At our house, the grands would think Sarge was using an "S" word when screaming at Beetle because "Stupid" is our "S" word and it's not allowed----neither is shutup,  another Liles "S" word.
I guess even individual households can have their own jargon.

PUZZLED!

PUZZLED!

I've always heard, the 3 stages of life are...youth, adulthood and "my you're looking well!" When you reach the last stage you are checking the last box on all forms---65 or older!

Yesterday, I went to teach Bible Study at Town Village, a residence for "senior" living. I had hoped to "bless" their day through sharing God's word with them and to encourage them to be steadfast in their faith.

These folks continue to "walk with the Lord"---even if that walk is a bit unsteady or includes a cane, a walker or a wheelchair. One came fresh out of the shower so his wife had to save him a seat. His strength has been a bit "spent" lately but he didn't want to miss. He brings with him a sense of humor that lifts us all. Pretending to take a bite of the "apple" of our object lesson had all of us laughing. He is one who continues to "fight the fight" to finish the race and keep the faith.

There was fellowship in that room of "mature" people on the same side of the physical struggles brought on by aging. Other trials and problems as death of friends and family to loneliness and diminishing finances are shared but not despaired. 

How can that be? Puzzled? Not really. They have remembered to "number their days and apply their hearts to wisdom" (Psalms 90:12) so they show up.
They know aging can be a blessing for Christians.

This framed puzzle, put together by some of the residents of Town Village, says more to me than the beautiful teacups of the finished work. Their eyesight might be dimming and their frail hands translucent with visible purplish veins..... but together they keep the faith, 

encourage each other and complete a masterpiece. 

I go to bless others---but everytime I teach, I am the one who is truly blessed. 

PUZZLED? No....that's the way God works.