Fruit #3 -- PEACE

7/11/09
Tetchy is a word my grandmother used. I thought she was just mispronouncing touchy because of the context in which she used it. Years later I realized how “spot on” she was as she used it to describe some rather disagreeable folks---bad-tempered, crabby/cranky/grumpy, difficult, You know the type, just plain irritable. That’s what I’ve been lately---at least on the inside. I’ve tried to blame it on lots of things---age, fatigue, lack of hormones, etc. All of these characteristics are symptomatic of people not at “peace.” Peace is in the spirit and soul of people who abide with Him, who seek Him out and delight to spend time in His Presence.

I want that---but I feel as if I need to “escape” in order to do that. I have been hiding behind my writing and preferring not to go out. What if my inner grumpiness and irritability came out for all the world to see. What kind of testimony is that?

Frankly, monkhood (is that a word?) was sounding appealing to me----do they take women? It would at least be an escape from the “tyranny of the urgent” that swirls around me---demands of people and obligations of life in general. What I really want is more time in His presence.
Yet, even when there has been more time that usual, I’ve been like an adult with A.D.D.---having trouble concentrating (coherent thoughts are out the window) focusing on a task at hand (beyond my capability) thus no closure on a myriad of responsibilities needing my attention. Decision making takes a toll and I forget to follow through on those I do make, even if they’re written down. Wonder if Monastery is listed in the Yellow Pages? Oops, they probably don’t have phones.

The preceding paragraph is not a word picture for peace. Peace is exactly the opposite. It is a quiet but potent attitude of serenity and good-will toward others despite the bumps in the road of life. Reality is full of adversity. But God…………

Today’s Jesus Calling reminds us that people who seek the Lord instead of the world’s idols of possessions, status and self-aggrandizement, experience His Joy and His Peace. God who is the Source of our love and joy is the Source of our peace. Inner peace is impossible unless it is from Him. 

Once more God used one of His own to minister to me. An e-mail from Michèle reminded me of the truth of the occasional sinkholes from battling MAC:

• ….after the energy that kept us sane begins to wane...we can find ourselves depleted on a physical, emotional and sometimes relational level. We've given so much that it feels like there's little left for the smallest of tasks or commitments.

• It feels silly, really, after having undergone so many surgeries, that something as trivial as going out to coffee with friends might feel overwhelming, but it's precisely BECAUSE we were so brave that our bodies and minds need a bit of respite…………. I think it's okay to allow those parts of us that are battle-weary to take a bit of a breather and want to be less active.

I’m not leaving for the abbey (yet) but maybe I’ll incorporate a little of the balance of monastic life ---by going to bed early and rising for prayer and time with Him so that my focus is right and I will once again be living the ordinary life extraordinarily well because it will be an overflow of His presence and His peace. “….My peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)
Tranquil not tetchy!

BTW, the Benedictines do take women.

Joy wrapped in chocolate can quickly melt & leave a mess.

7/10/09
“When economy sours, Tootsie Rolls soothe the soul,” was how the article from March 24, New York Times read. (An adorable picture of Memphian, Piper Gray, who’s in Manhattan on a journalism internship, accompanied the article.) I’m not so sure about that, I think, as I sit typing & munching on chocolate that Michèle brought me from Germany. I’m not a Tootsie roll fan but I so love my chocolate. Sweets can be one of those quick and temporary, and sometimes seemingly necessary fixes to lift our spirits and offer relief. This I “get” because my sweet tooth is often first in line for a “treat” when I’m feeling down----though the relief is temporary and my muffin top is more permanent. I have a friend who keeps Snickers in her freezer for such times. (I know because I’ve shared them with her. That’s what friends are for---right?)
My “down” times usually are a result of “fretting.” Fretting and worrying, as I said yesterday, are the opposites of joy. This worrying can make the “pleasant present” absolutely miserable---until we choose to change our focus. Regrets can do much the same to our psyche. Again, we need to refocus. In most instances much of what we worry about never comes to pass and those regrets that tie us are past issues, in most cases now out of our hands, so we should just leave them there, in the past. These blur our joy. So, do as Michèle has taught me---focus on what you know. Here’s what I know about joy.

• Laughter feels good so I rejoice in having a hubby who makes me laugh.

• Having fun can release me from the bondage of worry so I’m looking forward to a week in Florida with the entire family. Worries are not to be packed and taken with me.

• I enjoy the abunDANCE of grandsons in my life.

• Delighting in the Lord allows him to problem-solve for me.

• Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.

• German chocolate is tasty and okay to eat for the “right” reasons.

• God is the source of all joy.

• Joy is more about Whose I am than who I am or what I have.

• “Joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

• Aligning my life with His will for me gives me great joy.

• Knowing Him, therein lies my joy.

• His joy is eternal.

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)

As I read over the list it almost sounds "pat" or rote like those e-mails I receive. This is my way of helping me refocus today---sometimes just reciting scripture helps me do that. Often I need all the help I can get because for me refocusing can be down right hard.

The more focused I am on what/Who brings me joy, the less I’ll need the chocolate that gives me the 30-60 second lift/boost of spirit and often the miserable after feeling or the urge for more empty calories. Today I know real joy---SWEET!!

Joy Multiplied

7/9/09 Multiply joy; share with others.
There must be something to this pass it on idea----it’s like getting more for your money, more bang for your buck, more blessing for your “bit” of effort. “Double your pleasure----Double your fun"---Double your blessing when all’s said and done.
Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return." Luke 6:38

Maybe if we’re not finding much love or joy coming our way in life, we need to find someone needier than we are and pass on what bit we have. Just reaching out to someone else can be a blessing but often in my life, when I’ve had eyes to see, I’ve seen God return the blessing twofold. Today as Larry and I took some muffins and fruit to welcome a new neighbor to our street, we met delightful Susan, who loves the Lord & preaches the Word. Isn’t God good?

Of course, joy isn’t always easy. Some of the greatest joy comes from the deepest sorrow. It has been said that our portion/cup of joy can only be as deep as our portion/cup of sorrow. Believe it or not, joy really is a gift---unlike temporary happiness that can come when we “buy” ease/comfort or security. We can choose true joy even if the price tag includes pain and suffering/sorrow or endurance and faithfulness that we never new we had. Six months ago today I heard the word biopsy for the very first time. I even heard the word cancer being spoken to me not someone else---though Dr. Schneider thought the tissue removal procedure would rule out that diagnosis. Whatever sadness or fear those words brought to bear, there was and has always been a calm in the midst of that storm. When the diagnosis was positive, there was real acceptance, not a sorrowful resignation. And the blessings began to flow………..I saw the goodness of the Lord in so many of you!! You were my “land of the living” that ministered to me day after day, week after week and month after month and my soul is braver and more joyful that ever before. The sign at my backdoor, where friends enter, declares that my sorrow has been turned into joy! I bet my new neighbor will like it.

• “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing….. and girded me with gladness,”(Psalm 30:11)

JOY

7/8/09
JOY! JOY! JOY! Pass it on!
Journal Jottings---Sitting at Methodist Breast Center awaiting my turn, I realize that the opposite of joy is worry. The faces sitting across from me are not exactly radiating joy either. But God……has taught me through my MAC Dance that joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not to be confused with happiness because the “source” is different. The source of happiness comes from the people, events and happenings in my life. Those happenings = happiness or sadness. Joy, on the other hand, (God’s Hand) is a quality of the Spirit filled life that transcends those “happenings.” Philip Keller says, “Joy is a divine dimension of living.”
Jesus first.
Others second.
Yourself last!
How true that acronym is for me---the greatest joy comes when I am focusing on the Lord and others, not my condition or my circumstances. Want to “feel” better? Do something for someone else---something that will bring him/her enjoyment. Feelings indeed follow actions. Don’t wait to feel like it before you take action.

Written by Two Listeners in the 1930s, God Calling’s June 30th entry had this to say about joy---fruit facet #2.

• Take joy wherever you go. You have been much blessed. You are being much blessed………..Pass every blessing on.

• Love can and does go round the world, passed on the God-currents from one to the other. (A lot like what I learned yesterday---His love in us given to others.)

• Be transmitters these days. (Am I transmitting joy and blessing to others?)

As always, Jesus Calling is right on target with my “circumstances.” “I am ….in all; your communion with Me transcends both time and circumstances. Be prepared to be blessed bountifully by My Presence. When your Joy in Me meets My joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy.”
Now that’s JOY!

Love that Corn

7/7/09
Fresh corn in the summertime. Mmmm, mmmm, mmm----yum, yum! Nothing better. Fresh picked “sweet” corn eaten on the cob isn’t quite as easy to maneuver with my new mouth so I spent the morning cutting it off the cob for “fried corn” as my grandmother, Mama Davenport, taught me. The first slice is carefully done so that only the tips of the kernels are removed. Slice #2 gets the middle of the kernel and #3 goes a little deeper. Then, you “milk it” by pulling the knife backwards up the cob. For me this is an outside job, a real labor of love, because the corn “juice/milk” splatters everywhere and it takes time to get a skillet full---20-24 ears.

Maybe all that work got to me because I pictured the corn on the cob as an analogy of the fruit of the Spirit. Each ear had kernels from the same source and yet some were different in size and “condition”---from full and plump to sort of shriveled. That’s just like the facets/qualities/characteristics of the fruit of God’s Spirit in me. Some days my kernels of peace and joy might look like big ripe kernels---mature and “tasty” for the watching world to see. On the other hand, my “patience” kernels are near the end of the stalk, not as mature and a little farther from the source. Those kernels look a little dried out. There’s probably not much flavor. It’s hard to imagine the taste of fresh corn. Folks aren’t drawn to choose corn where most of the kernels are shriveled because they know it’s probably not very “tasty.”

How about me? Am I walking in the Spirit? Can people see the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Can others taste and see the goodness of the Lord by observing my actions, especially in the area of patience?

THOTS---How about my source? I know Galatians 5:22,23 list 9 qualities of the fruit of the Spirit. I also know that love is listed first. Yet, I’m still meditating on this because, to me, that first quality seems to be the “source” for all of the others. Because of His love, the other qualities of joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. can be present in my life. God is love and it is His love that reproduces the fruit of His life in me---that love that I can show to others---a reflection of Him. Hmmm---that quality of love that I can show to others. Maybe that’s it----maybe I’ve found the answer to my own ponderings.

Fruit Facet #1---LOVE

7/6/09 Love is the First Fruit.

LOVE…..bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (I Corinthian’s 13:7, KJV) was posted above the check-in counter as I went this morning to pick-up my mammogram films (again) from the Women’s Health Center, I had planned on meditating today on, 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”----mainly because of my middle of the night fears about today’s upcoming mammogram. But God……had a deeper verse for me and He had it in LARGE letters where I couldn’t miss it. So, I’ve been reading several translations. The New Living Translation has given me “food for thought” and that’s just what meditation is all about.

• Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (The New Living Translation)

• Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (Amplified Bible)

• Puts up with anything,Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. (The Message)

Thinking on these things (Philipians 4:8)----translations of (I Corinthian’s 13:7), I’m headed out the door for the mammogram.

FIREWORKS

7/4/09
Wasn’t planning on “blogging” until Monday-----but God……………..was planning on writing about fruit of the spirit---but God…………..so now I’m here typing about “ugly stuff”---my tendency to have a “come apart” just because not one, but two of my pencils quit on me in the middle of my prayer/quiet time----I’m also polishing off a 15 stick pack of Extra gum, “Classic Bubble” flavor. Why? I haven’t a clue----okay, maybe I do a little bit. I have just had a glorious week of reconnecting with family and old friends and connecting with a very special “new” friend and yet somewhere along the way I haven’t felt connected to Him as I returned home. Oh I know I’m connected---because He never lets go. But……….Home is reality----there’s no escaping, which can be my path of choice sometimes. Thank goodness I had lunch with a dear friend yesterday and dinner with more dear friends last night or I might have really chosen to ESCAPE by hiding out.
I have been “fretting” and “stewing” in my mind for weeks now mostly over stuff I cannot control and it’s taking its toll. Circumstances can do that when they become your focus.
But God………….used My Utmost for His Highest entry today to remind me that I need to “Fret not.” (Psalm 37) My marginalia showed PTP (Practice Thy Presence) Today I added Praise, Thank, Praise! I have so many notes, asterisks** and BOLD underlines on this one entry that I decided to let you read it for yourself---make your own notes—-& maybe have your own heart convicted.

ONE OF GOD”S GREAT DON’TS

"Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil doing." Psalm 37:8 (R.V.)

• Fretting means getting out at elbows mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say "Fret not," but a very different thing to have such a disposition that you find yourself able not to fret. It sounds so easy to talk about "resting in the Lord" and "waiting patiently for Him" until the nest is upset - until we live, as so many are doing, in tumult and anguish, is it possible then to rest in the Lord? If this "don't" does not work there, it will work nowhere. This "don't" must work in days of perplexity as well as in days of peace, or it never will work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work in anyone else's case. Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances at all, but on your relationship to God Himself. (emphasis mine)

• Fussing always ends in sin. We imagine that a little anxiety and worry are an indication of how really wise we are; it is much more an indication of how really wicked we are. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and He was never anxious, because He was not "out" to realize His own ideas; He was "out" to realize God's ideas. Fretting is wicked if you are a child of God.

• Have you been bolstering up that stupid soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God? Put all "supposing" on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing. All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.

Wynellen had also reminded me weeks ago of the June 1 entry in Streams in the Desert, which focused on worry/fretting. “What possible use does your worrying serve?” (I know the correct answer here---sometimes I just don’t live like I know it.) “…yet you worry as if you were the captain of the vessel.” (This vessel called life.) “….implore you to not (emphasis mine) give in to despair. Hopelessness constricts and withers the heart, rendering it unable to sense God’s blessings and grace.” “………….causes you to exaggerate the burdens of life and makes your burdens seem too heavy for you to bear. “ (Madame Guyon)

Happy 4th If you hear “fireworks coming from my way, it could be because I’ve been fretting instead of abiding, and repressing feelings instead of giving them to the Lord. All of that is “calculating without God” and could easily cause an explosion. But God………….He loves me and so (today) I choose not to fret and not to give in to despair. I have to do this one day at a time because I know I’m just one “fret” away from calculating without Him.
May my fireworks (today) be a declaration of the freedom and grace I have in Him.

Exciting News

6/25/09
Off-line for the next 10 days to 2 weeks---and for great reasons---family and friends.
Headin’ to Ky to visit my dad and brothers and attend my class reunion----Hoptown High Class of ’64. (you do the math.)
For those who aren’t signed up on my son Josh’s site, here’s the rest of the story.

As most of you know, my cancer is so rare that there are only 300 (documented in a study) -500 cases (assumed) in the world. I only know of one other----Michèle P. from Germany, whom my daughter found after lots of internet searching. Needless to say, this beautiful young woman has been an incredible encourager and support to me. She's absolutely delightful and it has been my dream to get to meet her, this side of heaven. We both joked that sharing a banana spit at Serendipity's in NYC would be nice but...........well, next week on June 30, we get to meet!! I just had to share the news and my excitement. It might not be in NYC but in Kentucky, my home state, instead. How 'bout that?! Wonder if quirky Lynn's Paradise Cafe has banana splits?
Just had to share the great news!

Dancin' in the streets with joy, Dotsy.

Not sure when we’ll return---sort of “flying by the seat of our pants” but I’ll be doing a little note taking on Phillip Keller’s, A Gardener’s Look at the Fruits of the Spirit, (1979) while we visit. Larry, who proofs my blogs, thought I was getting a little didactic in my entries so I was thinking I was “all done” with fruit of the Spirit. But God……….as God would have it, I came across that book today as I was clearing more attic clutter---it has to be a God thing---first of all that I’m motivated to clean out the attic and also that I would even attempt it in this heat. So, I’m packing the book and prayers for each of you and hitting the road. Bye-Bye.

Fruit Facts

6/24/09 Today I’m more comfortable with the “facts” label because I consulted Dr. Constable notes on the Galatians 5:22-23 passage.

He states, “Fruit is singular be cause it suggests the unified Christ-like character that the Holy spirit produces.” Constable also divides these qualities:

Mental or God-ward qualities (v.22)
Love (Gr. agape, self-sacrificing affection for others)
Joy (Gr. chara, deep-seated gladness regardless of circumstances
Peace (Gr. eirene, inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances

Interpersonal or other-ward qualities (v.22)
Patience (Gr. makrothymia, forbearance even under provocation)
Kindness (Gr. chrestotes, benvolence and graciousness)
Goodness (Gr. agathosyne, constructive action reaching out to others

General or self-ward qualities (v.22-23)
Faithfulness (Gr. pistis, reliability, trustworthiness)
Gentleness (Gr. praytes, acquiescence to authority and consideration of others)
Self-control (Gr. enkrateria, ability to master oneself

I just included the Greek meanings so that we’re all on the same page with these behaviors as Paul was defining them.

All this to say what??? None of this means a hoot unless these words take life as you read them. Our own “want to” behave this way is not enough. Trust me, I really want to practice kindness---but as Scripture says, the very thing I want to do, I don’t do and that which I don’t want to do, I find myself doing. (a very loose paraphrase of Romans 15:15-17) At least I still have the “want to” mentality. I just need to be continually undergirded with God’s grace---remembering that under grace there is no bondage. Our walk is not just following the law or moral correctness but it is a manifestation of all that we possess because of Him and who He is. He motivates us to do what we know is right (that’s the “want to”) and then He provides the power to do it as we walk in the Spirit.

If reading those definitions reminded you of what is right and you now have the “want to” for any one or all of those behaviors, then it was worth the time it took me to find the info and type it up. Now it’s your turn----you just have to ask the Lord for the power---maybe you should be on your knees when you do it, that way you’ll be looking up and the focus will clearly be on Him and not yourself.

"Fruit Findings"

6/23/09 Further Fruit Facts
Not sure facts is the appropriate title here---just more THOTS from me. I’m still musing and chewing on those 9 qualities (behaviors) of the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy. peace patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Oops when I typed this list from memory, I had left one out----gentleness. Wonder what that means? It probably means that when folks think of me, gentleness doesn’t just pop into their minds ‘cause it sure didn’t pop into mine.

Journal jottings: Verses that precede the “good” list cite the behaviors exhibited when controlled by our flesh/self---some sound horrific (sexual immorality, idolatry, and witchcraft} but there are some subtle ones that are just as sinful. (jealousy, outbursts of anger, and envy) These are all acts of our old sin nature.
Verses that follow the “good” list say that those who belong to Christ have put to death the sinful nature and now live by the Spirit. So it is His work/grace. I need to trust Him to continue building these qualities in my life so that my “walk” manifests His selfless outgoing love for all to see. May others taste and see my fruit that comes in 9 different flavors. Right now my fruit bowl must be lacking in gentleness so I’ll trust Him to stir in a little more and then sprinkle on an extra measure of kindness and continue to blend it all together with His love. Can’t do it without Him!

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)

…..let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25b)