CHOOSE: TO INTERCEDE

Choose to learn from Scripture as you seek to pray for others.

John 17 is called by many as the "High Priestly Prayer." According to Justin Taylor, Desiring God, (10/2/07) this chapter on Jesus' prayer has "only about 650 words, takes only 3 minutes thirty seconds to read aloud but will take an eternity for use to fully understand it."

I, certainly do not fully understand it, but my aim is to learn what God has for me to glean at this season of my life. Reading the scripture in my Ryrie Study Bible gave insight and a few gems.

My goal is to learn from Jesus' intercession for us to aid me in interceding for others.

#1 for me is the Lord Jesus referring to believers as a gift from the Father to Him. Five times this "giving" is repeated. (vs. 2, 6, 6, 9, 24) 

#2 is that Christ is praying for those (believers) given to Him. 

That's enough for me to dwell on for a while. I, as a believer, am a gift from Father God to His Son Jesus, and Jesus prays for me. That's huge to share with others who need encouraging and to pray that  they too live out that truth, as One of His.

Now, I have been offered a "loan" of a book by a local pastor and I look forward to his insights on John 17 as well as other prayers of Jesus as well. 

CHOOSE: VESPERS

Vespers. Vespers around a campfire.

A church camp routine, a least at Camp Loucon in Leitchfield, KY.

Prayers and singing. 

Think, Kum Ba Yah (Come By Here) in the 60's.

For me, knowing God became experiential during vespers at that camp, not just cognitive knowledge. 

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Not just a mountain top or lakeside experience but one that has stayed with me for all these years.

I have not forgotten the experience but somehow the word, "vespers" has been lying dormant in the dim recesses of my mind. I am grateful to have recalled it recently and now choose to introduce it to my "grands" when they come for Thanksgiving. 

Maybe we will even sing "Kum Ba Yah" around our fire pit.

CHOOSE: TO RELAX

Winnie the Pooh. Who doesn't know that silly old bear, created by A.A.Milne.

For anyone who has ever visited Ashdown Forest (aka "100 aker wood") in East Grinstead, Sussex, UK,  or thrown sticks over Pooh Sticks bridge, it will be a  cinematographic walk down memory lane. 

I still remember 4 grown ladies dropping our sticks in the water and then running to the other side to see whose stick would float by first.

Whether you've been there or not anyone who has ever read Winnie the Pooh to a child needs to see the biopic, "Goodby Christopher Robin." Now showing at the Ridgeway Malco. You know, the one with the big comfy seats and food to order.

The Ridgeway movie theatre appeals to seniors because even the trailers for upcoming movies are tame.
Here's a peek. Wonder,  An all time favorite book of mine that is all about kindness opens November 17. The Man Who Invented Christmas, biopic of Charles Dickens Nov. 22.

What a great way to spend a chilly/drizzly afternoon than at the movie with another book lover.

CHOOSE: THY FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING

Fountains can offer quiet tranquil places---places which evoke tranquility even in the midst of hubbub. Water can do that or me----reminding me to relax and be still, that God might speak.

Ask the One who is the source of the Living Water, to teach you that His words might come alive in your life, in spite of all the distractions and chaos. As the psalmist says in Psalm 42:2, "My soul thirsts for God. for the living God." (NIV)

In the Message version of Psalm 42:2, I read words that spoke to my thirsty heart. 

I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God alive. I wonder, 'Will I ever make it--arrive and drink in God's presence?' When can I go and meet with God.

How blessed one is to have God's Word at her fingertips.

"The word of God is alive and active." As Stephen reminded the Sanhedrin, Moses received living words to passion." (Acts 7:38) We need to remember these words as well. 

Words that can be a fount of blessing when we share with others.

CHOOSE: TO DIG FOR GEMS

Avid readers sometimes forget to deeply enjoy a book a long the way and tend to scan over long descriptive narratives. Often, they seem to be just fillers but sometimes one needs to remember to search for the treasures. I found such a treasure as I finished reading To Be Where You Are this week. 

For one thing, I found the title reference mid-stream and then as I was finishing up, I found a gem. 

Author, Jan Karon, uses Father Tim, her protagonist (a retired Episcopal priest) to pass along wisdom to his adopted son, who has wisely decided to take a little time off work to be with family just as Father Tim has done with "his" Cynthia.

So glad I chose to read deeply and not skip over this gem.

Karon says it well---sometimes we need to let go of all the cares and concerns which tie us down to time consuming routines which bind us to work rather than others. A light heart, that comes from trusting God and giving thanks, allows one to "regroup"  and gather in for herself and in turn pour out to others.

CHOOSE: MVP

Last night the Houston Astro’s became the World Series champs for the first time! What an uplifting moment for that Texas city which has endured so much hardship since hurricane Harvey. Hubby even came to bed late because he wanted to see who won the MVP. In the baseball world a World Series MVP is pretty important! Of course, can I even remember the name of the person who was awarded MVP last night? No.

But God reminded me how important “MVP” is in one’s spiritual life, especially concerning Scripture meditation.

I know, because  my Joshua 1:8 marginalia showed Robert Morgan‘s three necessary steps in Bible study from that one verse.
1) Read it. 2) Keep on reading God's Word aloud. 3) Don't stop reading and repeating it.

Reading, reading aloud and meditation are all on-going.
Meditate on it day and night. As Morgan states in All to Jesus, “Meditation is the missing link in getting the words from the page of the Bible into her bloodstream.” (Day 302)

The Bill Gothard seminar (1975) emphasized the MVP method of meditation; Memorizing, Visualizing and Personalizing. 

 It’s when one personalizes scripture that they bring in obedience that leads to applying truth to their own lives.  Just knowing more scripture is worthless unless it is applied to one's spiritual walk. 

Memorizing and visualizing are both good but personalizing is key.
When you choose MVP, choose the whole package. 

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SEE BEAUTY IN THEMSELVES

Why is it so hard for women to believe they are beautiful? Is it because they are measuring only their outer beauty and using the world's notions as their measuring stick. Maybe women compare their inside with everyone else's outsides. Or others' perfect family portraying FaceBooks posts.

The caption led me to buy the noosa yoghurt---but the yummy, creamy key lime taste will have me buying it again.

God"s word says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
God said it. (Psalm 139:14)
That makes it true. Why don't we believe it? 

Repeat after me is what I said to my recent class.
"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

God's word is good to have in our arsenal for fighting inferiority.
Isn't our disbelief an affront to our Creator?

2 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
 Let's unite as women to help each other, as God's creation, to see beauty in ourselves and others. 

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE THE REFORMATION

On this date 500 years ago (1517),  Martin Luther nailed his "95 " theses for all to see.

On this 500th anniversary of the Reformation some truths, nailed to that All-Saints' door in Wittenberg, stand out to me!

I am not justified by "my" works but my justification is a result of God's grace through the righteousness of Christ, who knew no sin, and died for mine. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24)

1. By Scripture alone
2. Through faith alone
3. In Christ alone
4. To the glory of God alone

Today I choose to celebrate Reformation Day as a reminder to "RETURN TO THE GOSPEL!

CHOOSE: A COZY READ

Temps have dropped. Tomorrow's lesson done. Supper in crockpot.

FINALLY----time to read. Not just any book. I've read so many gut wrenching WWII books lately that I think a "gentle" read is in order. 

A cuppa, Jan Karon's latest book about Father Tim and the residents of Mitford coupled with a full-size quilt and a quiet house beckon me to read. It's sort of like going back home---sometimes you just need to do it to be replenished.

CHOOSE: TO SHARE

Choose to share the secret of joy. 

REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN. (LUKE 10:20)

AMEN. Choose Him and have a great weekend!