Mama………….

7/28/10 ………..that’s all the name she went by when I was growing up. At least it’s what my family all called her, even Daddy, though she was his mother-in-law. Margaret Louise Hooper Davenport would have been 105 ten days ago. I know that because it was Sunday, July 18, and Molly was in the beach house researching her family tree at ancestory.com. She did “dig up” lots of interesting data. A 1930 census showed the ages of everyone in the “farm” household. Aunt Cora Mae Hooper, age 21, was living with them at the time. She even found a copy of my granddaddy’s signed WWI draft card. Dang Dang was 5 years older than she. They married when she was only 14. He was a tall, strapping corker and she was diminutive with a quiet, gentle spirit.

That info wasn’t on ancestory.com but I know it to be true. Compiled data can only give us so much information. That in itself is fascinating. But the real stories come from the hearts of those who know and remember their loved ones.

For sure, Mama was a loved one, especially by me. She was my spiritual mentor---though neither one of us had ever hear of that term. Nowadays it’s described as one mature Christian sharing his life with another in a one-on-one relational experience. The mentor invests, his God-given wisdom and resources of time and energy with the “mentoree” thus empowering him/her to align his life with Christ.
Our relationship wasn’t that formal but she shared much godly wisdom with me as she allowed me to “see” Christ in her, the hope of glory.

She lived Christ and found her joy in Him. I was just blessed to be alongside for all those years, especially during the summer when I got to spend a week at her house. I couldn’t wait to go to Mama’s---just to be with her. Mama might have been short in stature but she was the spiritual giant of my life.

Glimpses of my Meditative Gleanings

7/26/10 My favorite thing about Monday mornings in the summertime is that I get to join the faithful, albeit small, group of prayer warriors in the prayer room at church. Today was my last day to have that privilege. As I’ve told you before the procedure is to have a passage of scripture for meditation prior to praying. This morning it was 3 chapters in II Chronicles---14, 15, & 16. “Too much” was my first thought. But the story of Asa would not have been complete and it’s his story that had such an impact on my meditation.
Chapter 14
v. 2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God (Could that be said about me?)
v. 3 …..he removed the altars of the foreign gods (What false idols need to be removed from my life?)
v. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. (Do I show leadership in encouraging others to seek the Lord?)
v. 6 ….because we have sought the LORD our God (Battles were won, rest and quiet were given b/c of seeking the Lord. 5x rest & quiet were mentioned in first 7 verses)
v. 11 ….in Your name we go against this multitude (Do I face my battles against the world’s way by calling on the Lord’s Hebrew name---Elohim?)
Chapter 15
v. 2 The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; (Wise men seek the Lord and He allows them to find Him.)
v. 4 when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. (Does it take times of trouble to get my attention to cause me to turn to Him?)
v. 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul (AM I seeking the Lord with all my heart and soul?)
v. 17 But the high places (a pagan religious worship area usually located on a natural height/hill) were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was loyal all his days. (A loyal heart for all one’s days---what a testimony. God sees the heart.)
Chapter 16 (Asa’s failure)
v. 7 “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God,…..(In Asa’s later years, he made mistakes/bad choices but God still knew his heart and Asa only needed to cry out to him.)
Dr. Constables notes summed it up.
Asa's heart was right in that he consistently loved God. Nevertheless, like David, his obedience lapsed. He trusted in a foreign alliance and later in physicians more than in Yahweh. This resulted in defeat and death.

"Asa, then, has done a complete volte-face from his earlier faithfulness. It
is as if we meet two altogether different Asas. He appeared first in the
strength of God-reliance, now in the weakness of self-reliance." (McConville, p.174)

v. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (Lord, may I be found faithful even as I age. May others see a heart in me that is loyal to You.)

See how meditation can lead to conviction, confession prayer and even further study!

Beach Bullets

7/25/10 This bulleted list is synergistic. Just combine the parts to get my whole idea of a week at the beach with family, including 1 expectant mom, 4 grandparents, 5 adult kids, 8 kids, ages 8 and under. The scriptures are also just snippets from memory---they literally came to mind while typing and so contextually only have meaning to me and my list, not to their complete scripture references, which are not included anyway. I hope that is not irreverent or even illegal in the writing realm.

• Tennessee & Texas convene for 8th consecutive year at “Big Water” a Liles moniker for Seagrove Beach ---New Yorkers honeymooned in Bali instead. (The sea is His for He made it.)
• BIG crashing waves = fearless kids & fearful “on-watch” grandmothers, Shug & YaYa. (God has not given us a spirit of fear but power and love and a sound mind)
• Visits from other in Liles clan (12) beach year-rounders & visitors. (Be hospitable to one another)
• 1,000+ digital pictures among us---I just want 1 perfect (everyone looking) glossy of all the grands to hold in my hand. (May you see your children's children)
• "9 hole" and Bananagrams®---too late and too tired for Scrabble® & Boggle® this year (they they wait upon the Lord.....they shall walk and not faint or become tired/weary.)
• Beach read, latest “Tea Shop mystery” book, The Teaberry Strangler, goes virtually unread (excessive devotion to books is wearying)---and I thought it would be relaxing
• Disappointment = opportunity---non-working spray/splash fountain for kids at Seacrest/Rosemary led us to sledding in Costco boxes in grass bowl at Alys Beach--we shared out boxes with many on-lookers. (He called the dry land earth.)
• Corey, resident fix-it man---cars, AC, bikes and dishwashers and locator of “grass bowl” (by the sweat of your brow)
• Intracoastal Waterway boat ride for the “boys” with Captain Doug (cousin) allowing them at the helm (A generous man will himself be blessed,)
• Sandcastle building with cousins Grace and Anna---yes, there are some females in the Liles family, just not ours (He created them male and female and blessed them.)
• Eating out at a seafood restaurant---adults orders included grouper and flounder---kids orders included hot dogs and chicken nuggets (let them rule over the fish of the sea)
• Washer runs, dishwasher runs, kids run----constantly--(His bones are filled with youthful energy)
• Sleep is deep after hours of sun and water (He gives to His beloved even in their sleep)
• Red Bar for young adults with grouper (the best yet) and crab cakes plus Jay Liles on stage (the main draw) (Children are a gift from the Lord.)
• It takes a village---cooking, cleaning, feeding, diapering, sunscreening, monitoring swimming pool feats and ocean wave riding, de-sanding, biking, crafting in the morning, painting by the sea at twilight and crabbing at night, bubble bathing, storytelling, praying and singing to sleep, etc. etc. etc. (Serve one another.)

“It’s worth the drive.” 500 miles in 10 hrs. for Tennesseans and 800 miles in 15+ hrs. for Texans We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:1---I looked this one up.

Best Part of the trip comments---
Adults---time with family, seeing kids grow, building memories (Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness)
Kids---“I got a Coke Zero on the boat.” “We have a TV in our room.” “We do too!” “Ice Age DVD.”

Hmm-m-m---looks like a bullet list of our memories are generationally different.

Heartfelt Meditation

7/19/10 Yesterday's Allen Bible Church psalm for pondering had me considering meditation and wondering how I could post a blog for Monday's meditation. Then, "wa-lah" Molly picks up WiFi.

Psalm 5:1-3 ¹ Give ear to my words, O LORD,

Consider my meditation. ² Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. ³ My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Meditation on God's word renews our mind. It is a spiritual act of worship. It's more than just checking off an entry on our spiritual "to-do" list---much more than just "knowledge in" and "knowledge out." It requires engaging of the mind.

Last Sunday, First Evan's Pastor Jeremy reminded us of the importance of the following aspects of the Christian walk:

1. Fill your heart with God's values. (not values of our culture)
2. Engage your mind with God's Word. (meditation)
3. Do the next right thing. (love your neighbor, serve others, esp. the poor)

Today's ABC psalm seemed to sum it up for me.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart. Psalm 26:2
I'm asking the Lord to examine me---I want my heart to be aligned with His heart and His values and my mind filled with His word so that my life might prove and reflect that which is His good and perfect will----loving and serving others.

Gracious One….

7/16/10…..who gets my attention in such tangible ways has been using Psalms this summer to do just that. This morning both Allen Bible Church and Jesus Calling referenced Psalm 42. That really gets my attention. Here some snippets of the psalm.

1As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2a My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior

8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Because verse 5 and 11 are the same that’s where my attention will be today. I am thirsting for more of him and directing my hope toward a gracious God who is worthy of my praise---Who calls my attention to what I need for the day/moment.

Wearisome Words

7/15/10 Too verbose on blog. Succinct is the answer. Will try for terse verse, not burdensome blogs. Won’t resort to texting shortcuts---don’t know them anyway. S. Young has the pithy grabber prose (saying the most with the fewest words) down pat in today’s Jesus Calling. Here’s my take on her notes:

• Command=do not worry.
• God gives manageable portions.
• His grace sufficient one day at a time.
• A heap of worry staggers you.
• Thrust of trust is answer to meandering, crisscrossing, anxious thoughts.
• Let those shackels fall. Enjoy Him.

::poof:: (Text 4 I'm gone.)

Worry can be wearisome!

A succinct sign for the day!

Notetaker

7/14/10 I’ve been called lots of things in my day and one of the most common is notetaker. (“Spellcheck” doesn’t like that I’ve made this a compound word, but to me it is just that.) A compound word is made when two words are joined to form a new word. One who takes notes is joined with the notes she takes just by the “doing” ---the action that so defines her. I’m sure that “spellcheck” would let me get away with it if I added a hyphen but I’m in a stubborn mood today and don’t feel like being hyphenated.

Notetaking seems to come naturally to me. I leave my marks everywhere---even in my devotional books and Bible. My grandmother Gena would have considered marking a Bible a travesty, if not sacrilegious but my grandmother, Mama Davenport was at least brave enough to underline in hers. I know, because I use her Bible often---those underlines have given me great insight into her life---which feels like a great privilege to me.

Marginalia in favorite books, from “self-help” and “how-to” to inspirational books and Bible study guides and resource books, is where much of my notetaking occurs.
My calendar looks like one big notepad. This week as I’ve been packing for an upcoming trip I’ve referred to “Big Water” notes from ’07, ’08 and ’09 calendars. It’s the way I know to bring 3 nightlights, not to buy Sam’s potato salad because not many folks ate it, or to be sure and pack a Sharpie® so that those water bottles, that the kids only take a few sips from, can be labeled and refrigerated for later use. (I don’t like that kind of waste----I know because I “noted” that in a journal one time!)
Even atlases and maps have my notes on them----everything from date & “our” time and distances of travel to places to eat along the way, followed by a rating once we eat there.

As many of you know, I often try to color code may notetaking or at least keep it in some kind of order----not on torn off slips of paper that end up here, there and yon. Lately that does not have the order that I like and I’m spending way too much time looking for my “notes.”

I think I’ve gotten more obsessive about notetaking as I have aged---I feel as if it helps me to hold on to the memory that I seem to be losing. I’m sure it gives me some semblance of control---now that’s a real joke.
Sometimes I feel as if I can’t function without my notes and that’s when I know I’ve gone to the extreme. I think I need to branch out and really wing it. Nah---not yet. Nevertheless, I do need to learn to give myself permission not to always have everything together (which I don’t ---I just keep trying) Maybe a blank sheet with none of my notes/directions would allow the Lord to more fully direct my steps. Of course, then I’d probably have to write down His agenda for future reference----you know, just in case I need it.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says that "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might"----(I guess notetaking could fit there.) Though later in chapter 12 it says that too many words and writing is vanity and wearying to the body.

I think the real answer is in I Corinthians 10:13, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Even notetaking can be taken to the extreme and have nothing to do with Him----so how do I temper this? Any suggestions from a godly notetaker? This notetaker would love to hear from you.

Waiting Rooms

7/13/10 We have all been in different periods of waiting in our lives---sometimes in actual rooms. Waiting rooms in labor and delivery are fun places to be. Not so much so in an ICU waiting room. Today’s trip to West Clinic to wait for info on Mommar was somewhere in between those beginning and ending extremes.

I’m not sure what I expected---maybe a sterile environment with people slumped in chairs under a spell of self-pity, dwelling on their own sorrow or disappointment. Would there be tears of despondency? I knew there would be tears from brother-in-law Bill. He had cried yesterday during her birthday celebration.

There were lots of different waiting rooms at West clinic---somewhat warm and inviting, especially considering the circumstances. But the room that I saw that seemed to be filled with the most smiles was the one full of the folks in the recliners waiting for the completion of their chemo treatment. Maybe it was because these people had hope that their treatment would give them more tomorrows.

Not only does our sovereign Lord not leave us during a time of suffering, He gives us hope for “better tomorrows.” He gives us a course of action, a place to turn---toward Him. The invitation of Hebrews 4:16 is open to all who are in God’s waiting room. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." If you are there, in a period of waiting, boldy approach the One who is the Giver of grace and mercy. You will find it in your time of need even as you “wait.”

CARTOGRAPHERS OF THE OLD FASHION VARIETY

7/12/10………okay, I’m not a map maker but I am a map lover. Hubby Larry thinks my affinity for maps is a little over the top. I love maps and atlases. They offer so many possibilities. Even at our Christmas “bag game” parties, if there’s an updated atlas in the mix, I’m right in there, (usually with the men) jockeying for that ultimate prize.

During past travels in the English countryside, the first place I would go would be the TI. (Tourist Information Center) A wealth of brochures with area maps---right up my alley. US roadside Welcome Centers are a must for me when traveling stateside. Texas has BIG ones. Mississippi has hospitable ones----they serve coke with a smile and a syrupy Southern accent. This summer the Tennessee facility had, along with clean restrooms, a 2010 map!! Yea---first “new” map in two years that I’ve found. Plus, TN must realize that “Baby Boomers” are the only folks using maps anymore because the 2010 publication is like a "large print" edition.

This past weekend, Michèle found us using her recent eBay purchase of a Garmin. It just stuck on her windshield. She said it talked her through the trip down from Canada. Larry told her he had his own GPS and he stuck “her” in the front seat (shotgun position) right beside him---usually with an open atlas, road map or MapQuest sheet in her lap. His GPS also “talked” the entire trip. (Not true----said GPS also naps, once on a familiar course.)

Hubby also asked Michèle if her Garmin called her stupid if she got off-course. Stupid is the “S” word at our house & not allowed. She said the GPS word for “stupid” was “recalculating.”
Recalculating (or Plan B) is always necessary for this GPS woman---it allows for new paths, byways and, as yet, undiscovered back roads. With a “local’s” suggestion, rather that a detailed topographical map, we found a great scenic road when coming home from Doris and Tom’s Full Circle Ranch in Lewisburg, TN---a road less traveled by others and one never traveled before by us. One just needs to be open to possibilities----

It’s Monday and we have several options/possibilities for meditating on God’s word. Choose the one that fits the road you are on today. Allow Him to be your GPS.

• This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17)

• The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

• The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

With the Lord there are infinite possibilities.

Fireworks Revisited

7/11/10 Last night grandson, Owen, “called” us from the Redbirds game to tell us that he was seeing BIG fireworks and that people kept saying ooh and ahh. I was a little surprised that the noise didn’t scare him but he was saying, “Look.” (We actually could see a little--thanks to the cell phone pic that arrived.) Then we heard Owen oohing and ahhing.
Tonight he called from his B.B. and Poppy’s house because he was getting to see more fireworks---really loud ones too. What joy in his voice as his dad and granddad and Memphis neighbor, Derrick, offered fireworks just for Owen. It was obvious that they delighted in delighting him.

Last Thursday, Jesus Calling mentioned fireworks. “When your Joy in Me meets My Joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy.” This weekend I think the Lord was oohing and aahing as He heard us (Michèle and Dotsy) joyfully celebrating seeing each other. Our joy is a result that comes from all we have in Him---a true fellowship of two believers on the same side of a MAC struggle. Celebrating life & turned toward Him.
That’s like double ecstasy---really loud oohing and aahing coming forth. Real fireworks----that will continue throughout eternity!! Heavenly ecstasy!!