GOD'S WORD!

Be on the lookout!

Keep your eyes open. 

God's Word can show up where you might least expect it. 

A T-shirt in St. Francis surgery waiting room.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

 A garden near ljj.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade 

but the word of our God stands forever."

(Isaiah 40:8)

God's Word stands out.........inside and outside! 

Find it and meditate on it as a way to start your week.

SHARING IS CARING!

Sharing is caring when your motive is right.

It's a kindness action! (Ephesians 4:32)

Mommy Molly was grateful her son was learning these 3 words.

But.....when her 5 year-old quotes it to manipulate Mommy to give him "her" piece of chocolate candy, it's time to go back to the motivation drawing board!

Motivation of the heart is key in helping youngsters understand true sharing puts others first!

SOS!

Almost two weeks ago Israel was attacked by a militant group led by Hamas in a coordinated surprise offensive. A barrage of rockets. 

No warnings.
In Ukraine, warnings seem constant. Air raid sirens regardless time of day. Ukrainian friends certainly understand those SOS signals to take cover. They "hear" warnings. Others see warnings of flashing lights or on road signs. Even signs erected by the ocean can warn of what's coming. 

The full form of SOS is Save Our Souls; aka Save Our Ship. 

A Morse code distress signal to  indicate danger.

These days in our culture there seems danger at every turn. 

Some surprising. Some expected. All can add fear!

I turn to God's WORD for my response---again and again. 

It's where I find the SOS I need.

Strength Of Savior (Isaiah 41:10)

Shelter Of Savior (Psalm 91:1-2)
I appreciate the Sense Of Security God gives when I renew my mind with His Word! (Psalm 23:4)

ETHNODOXOLOGY WOW!

Word Of Week is a Word of Worship. "Ethnodoxology."

Ethno = people  Doxology = praise

Praises 

Of

People

UKRAINIANS' SONGFEST 

Praise of God's people adds a "pop" of cultural relevance, biblically sound worship within the body of Christ.

Ethnodoxology encourages believers to worship in their native language and often times with their heart language of folded or raised hands as they lift their voices in songs of praise.

GOD PROVIDES..........

God provides in many ways. A perfect gift for a specific need.

He is Jehovah-Jireh---the Lord our provider

God hears the calls of those in need,

the souls that trust in Him indeed.

Georg Neumark, 15 C German hymnist 

(source, Julie M., emphasis mine)

Note space of a heart --in need 

To a gift indeed--Jehovah-Jireh is in that space.

SEE THE CROSS!

Do you see it---the cross that is?

 

Keep your FOCUS on the cross! (Hebrews 12:2)

ACRONYMS ABOUND!

Acronyms abound----on jars of jam, no less.

T.O.E. Jam made me laugh!!

Eventually, I realized the acronyms let a customer know contents of the jams.

I liked my THOTS better.

T rust                  T hrow                               T urn

O nly                   O ut                                  O n

E lohim                E expectations (of others)      E encouragement

Stick your toe in the positive "waters of words" to encourage others!

PRAISES FOR THE DAY!

Day of Praise!

Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.....

31 Days of Praise! Shouldn't we have 365 Days of Praise.

LEAN IN!

When life's pace is getting on your last nerve, lean in to the "everlasting arms." At least let that tune fill your mind. 

If that doesn't work maybe the Lord will send you to a friends home to be reminded, by a pillow no less, as you lean back into the comfort of a pillow with  Psalm 46:10 on your mind.

MATURITY!

Mature? Immature?

Physical---look to check growth attributes.

Emotional---look and listen.

Spiritual---compare words with actions.

Didn't think I was too immature until I got to the end of Tyson's list.

Reminder still needed to please God, not man. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

He sees beyond our actions into the motives of our hearts.

We "see" it in our own lives if despair/depression keeps knocking at the door of our mind.

If we compare, we despair. It's up to us to transfer our minds to embrace God's good, pleasing and perfect, will/purpose for our lives.

Paul David Tripp sums it up well. "There is nothing for which we can take credit. All praise, honor, worship, and service go to God and God alone. He sought us. He birthed us. He sustains us. He matures us." (New Morning Mercies, September 24)

That's what maturity looks like......from the inside out!