SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: from my back yard

6/17/12 Just a tour of my regular ole back yard that brings me joy---

Lack of rain has somethings a little droopy but a hubby who sees watering as therapeutic helps. Then as I took some pix a light rain began to fall.

Light and rain drops on my coral bell---a great combo

Flourishing gooseneck, transplanted from KY garden of high school chum, Winslow, a master gardener. Our friendship has flourished for over 55+ years.

Girl reading among the hostas---at any librarian's home, that's a perfect. combo.

Phlox standing tall by my new white fence---so glad I held our for "real" wood!!

Beth's "true for me quote" gift of an outside pillow for my "Me and Thee" chairs---but once the raindrops came, I took it in to my inside prayer chair.

Sad to Glad

6/16/12 Death Anniversary Days can put one in a somber mood, at best. My day started in such a mood---because one year ago today Daddy died. But God…..reminded me that every single day I was with Daddy, he “thanked the good Lord for everyday He gave Him.” He saw life as a gift from God’s hand and I should do the same.

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

My friend, Ashley Bryan, has told me virtually the same thing. Celebrate everyday as a birthday----a birth of a new day! Just last week, our mountain host, Larry Henize, shared that same philosophy. “Everyday is a great day; some are just better than others,” he said. A new lease on life--- daily wisdom from 3 men in their 80s.

"Uncle Larry" celebrating another great day in the mountains---just look at the reflection of those trees in the lake behind him.

Wow…..Do I live that way? Am I daily seizing all of life's moments which the Lord has given me? Does my life reflect such a thankful heart? Those are the questions I began asking myself on this “sad” Saturday.

Guess what? Gladness showed up.

DO YOU TRUST ME???

6/14/12 “Do you trust me?” was the question “Unky” (aka Bill Gurner) would ask my kids as he held them at arms length off the ledge on the deep end of the pool. Of course, he would always let go---that was part of the fun of the game.

But this past year that question has taken on a more significant meaning. It all started when my friend, JoLynn related a tough situation and sensed that the Lord was asking her, Do you trust me in this, JoLynn? 

After that, for me, the word trust began “jumping off the pages” in devotional books, especially Jesus Calling. I began to mark each with a † in the middle of the u---as my reminder of the Lord asking, Do you trust me, Dotsy?

Yesterday, my “last minute call” to join the women’s mission team and leave in 6 days for central Ukraine moved from being willing to trusting. Not long after the wobbly knee-excitement and the unbelievable provision of a cleared calendar, needed RX and funds for a pricey airline ticket began to settle, the need for more trust surfaced. Even after all the clear indicators that my participation was God’s will, I needed more assurance.

Some folks asked hard questions---things I needed to consider, but not as fun as the thought of just going and serving. Even the ticker tape rolling across under the news was foreboding. Strains between Russia and US as military assistance was provided by Russia for Syria. Problems of violence at the Euro Soccer championship esp. between Russians and Poland---right near where we will be.

But God….in His mercy used prayers and provision of others to bring me back. God-centered. Daughter reminded me of how God knows me inside and out and this “last minute” (to me) decision was His way of alleviating weeks of worry (not spiritual, I know) because I have no time to worry----I just need to start packing.

Lots to do. Yes, but today I’m trusting* Him to work out the details.

*Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

WILLING??

6/13/12 “Willing”---that’s all I thought the Lord was asking of me. Are you willing to go? The going was to the Ukraine. The team was established but through some God-ordained circumstances, I had gone to the 2^nd team meeting over a month ago. While I was there, I sensed that God had me there to be “willing” to be a possible sub (a very weak sub) for Shirley W., the teacher for the women at the camp in central Ukraine because Shirley had some health issues. In fact, she was facing a series of tests the following week.

Shirley recovered and returned to her normal, enthusiastic, organized, Bible student, lesson preparer self. Willingness over. Lesson learned---so I thought. But God…..

Yesterday, a phone call alerted me to the fact that Jackie Z., one of the 5 ladies on the team was flying to D.C. to be a caregiver for her mother who had been put under hospice care. Was I still willing? Different scenario but same question of obedience. Prayed, asked hubby to pray.

This morning hubby said he was not comfortable with me going/flying that far alone. It seemed that most flights to that area were already overbooked because of the Euro 2012 Soccer Championship. So…door closed, I assumed.

But God.....Phone call revealed that a seat was indeed available. More prayer. Discussions ensued. God’s hand began showing mightily. (That’s a whole “nother” blog.)

Around 4:30 today, seat was booked. Willing became action---“uttermost parts of the earth” became Cherkassy, Ukraine. (Acts 1:8)

Happy 5th Birthday , Owen!

Children's children are a crown to the aged,...(Proverbs 17:6)

"His Way" for Meditation

6/11/12 The Red Sea Rules---a great little read with BIG truths. Today, Jamie S. recommended it to me during a summer refreshment book study. I bought it on the way home. I’ve already read most of it, but will read it again and again I’m sure. As our leader, Margie Andrews commented, “Everytime I find a great book, I want everyone to read it.” I so understand what she is saying.

Nestled in this book are also some gems of scripture that are worthy of meditation. Verses that remind one that God’s way is the only way through all the difficulties that life can seemingly throw our way. His way might be refuge or His way might be deliverance.

When you pray, keep alert and be thankful. Be sure to pray that God will make a way. (Colossians 4:2-3)

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. (Psalm 50:15)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: A Mountain Journey, from treetops to rivers below

6/10/12 Trekking "from the treetops to the rivers below" with a friendly bunch of sisters in the faith is a great eye-opener to the hand of God in every facet of life. 

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. (Proverbs 18:24, The Message)

Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
 Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel.  (Isaiah 44:23)

Flame azaleas growing wild

A Day Lily for my "Day Lilies" a common mispronunciation

Henize Pavilion at Buzzard Rock---what a view!

Mountain rhododendron, often confused with mountain laurel, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains

Clingman's Dome viewed from a zip-line platform 85' up with 12 folks on a zip-line platform built for 4!

Though we were the oldest in the treetops, we had the most fun on all 13 zips.

Isaiah 43:2 came to mind on the Nantahala raft trip. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." We might have been the oldest on the river, but that could have been the reason we had the most fun in 48° water or at least the reason we made the most noise.

Cullasaja Falls on Hwy 64 outside Franklin, North Carolina

Methodist Church in The Highlands. Our host was a retired Methodist pastor and his wife.

Saturday Question

Okay, I know it’s Sunday. But…..I was too tired to post when I got home last night from a glorious “get-a-way” with girlfriends….but God has had me querying myself thru the week,  and a BIG question came forth for consideration.

Am I hammering homiletics?

Answer: Yes, sad to say, too often I do.

In other words, am I always just “preaching” at friends and family or am I living the “gospel life”? As all folks know, actions indeed speak louder than words. If I am just viewing others thru legalistic lens, the lifestyle I reflect would be more of hammering and very little of grace. “Hammering” might easily be construed as disdain rather than love. 

If God views me thru the love lens of grace, shouldn’t I extend that to others as well?

Answer: Yes. A resounding YES!  I need to testify in actions as well as words to the “good news of God’s grace.” (Acts: 20:24)

THIS BLOG’S FOR YOU!

6/5/12 Yes, blogs are a cheap form of self-publishing. Yes, most blogs are read by the bloggers themselves. Yes, most of my blogs are God’s way of teaching me as I separate and simplify His truths. But, today this blog’s for you----a blog that might turn you on your ear. Just hope you can still “hear”. Actually this blog has been  “just for me” these last few days so I can now share the  Lord's truths which I gleaned.

Psalm 5 is David’s individual lament; 

• Asking God to hear his prayer, 
• Acknowledging God’s hatred of sin and evil people, 
• Requesting guidance, 
• Securing God’s protection and blessing. 

Not exactly a “sweet” read with my morning cuppa. But God….used it to show me an appropriate response to suffering.

Suffering is everywhere. It’s easy to spot. Globally, it makes the evening news as it beams across one's flat screens. Individually, it takes the sparkling beam out of one’s eyes. In this psalm, the arrogant ones, the ones who are living a life of lies and deceit appear to cause David’s suffering. Suffering can come when one trusts in mankind. Yet, all too often a man’s words cannot be trusted because words are an overflow of the heart and a man’s heart is filled with destruction. (v.9) David further describes the wicked ones who are causing the suffering as dangerous, with deceit and flattery on their tongues, saying what they think one wants to hear to attain their own goals ----all signs of rebelliousness against God. David even prays that the intrigues of the wicked will be their downfall and they will be caught in their own traps. How intense must have been David’s suffering to bring such petitions before the Lord.

Now that I’ve “rained on your life’s parade”, don’t stop reading here & don’t do as I did and eat 3 large slices of fresh baked pull-apart cheese bread slathered in real butter (is there any other kind) We all assuage pain and suffering in different ways. Some medicate or take to “drink”, I take to “butter” even if my suffering is mainly over someone else’s pain. As warm and comforting and distracting as “butter” (or your choice of poison) appears to be, that’s NOT the answer. Rather reread verses 1-3.

These first three verses include David’s response to suffering. Even in the midst of suffering, He still seeks to be led by the Lord’s righteousness. He approaches the Lord in a worshipful way, with mind and heart engaged, asking Him to pay attention/ to consider his (David’s) sighing/lament/groaning/meditation. (all words offered in parallel versions of verse 1)

Resolve to spend time in the word with the Lord as David did. That’s a needed discipline, which David alluded to twice, (“in the morning”, v.3) as the time when he articulates His condition. My words, v 1. Voice of my cry, v 2. My voice, v 3.  Then, David waited expectantly. Eagerly watching and waiting to see what the Lord would do on His behalf.

Ah, that one would follow David’s method: 

• Disciplined time in the Lord’s Presence,
• Willingness to articulate again and again his needs as he/she suffers, 
• Expectancy of the Lord’s answer whether it’s relief or assurance of God’s Presence, 
• Acceptance of God as the only Refuge who will be both a protector and a defense

David sums up well for us as he finds rejoicing and singing of joy for those who love the name of the Lord---for the LORD will bless the godly and surround them with His love even in the midst of suffering.

If this blog is for you…..blessed are you when you take refuge in the Lord and allow Him to surround you with His love. (v.12)

FIRST LOVE

6/4/12  A recent Pinterest You-Tube showed 5+ minutes of 60 lip-syncing friends and dancers helping a young man propose to his girlfriend in a BIG way. It was showy, sweet and entertaining. It’s gotten lots of hits. But….the real question for the young couple would be, “After the “hype” of the proposal, The BIG wedding and honeymoon to follow, what path will your marriage take?”

The “Big” productions will be over and the marriage will settle down to the ordinary, the mundane, the “day-to-day-ness of loving another person.” (Mead p, 17) Will they continue to be there for each other---listening, caring and “doing well by doing good” for their spouse? I suspect they will be wanting an “abiding in the trenches” kind of intimate love, not the You-Tube love song version that the entire world has seen.

Similarly, new Christians can ask themselves the same questions. Accepting Jesus as Savior, becoming the “bride of Christ” and receiving God’s grace can be a “heady” experience. But….as the years pass and the “hoopla” and exhilaration wane, it will take discipline and commitment to still be spending time in His Presence, being alone with Him, listening to Him, obeying His commands and loving Him well.  If not, the “slide away” can begin, excuses can take over and fellowship with the Beloved One loses its intensity. But God….will remind them of their faithlessness just as he did in the time of the prophets as He spoke to His people through Ezekiel.

31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. (Ezekiel 33:31-32)

What does a Christian gather from meditating on this? God wants us, not our words, or our bits and pieces of time thrown His way to appease our guilty consciences. He wants undivided devotion that He might remain our first Love.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4)

As Carol Mead so eloquently expressed in Practically Holy, God doesn’t care about BIG events, “God wants to speak of our Beloved”…….that we might not forget our First Love!