The best part of waking up is.....

1/10/13 .....! We all know the rest of that jingle---at least Folgers hopes we do. But for me, today the best part of waking up was Bewley's in my cuppa. I love black tea, especially Assam or Darjeeling. Bewley's Irish Breakfast Tea is a combo of the two. Plus, though I usually limit my caffeine intake, I knew the day ahead would require a little. Besides, recent "research" seems to show that caffeine increases memory---that's needed so that I don't forget that "The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;"...(2 Chronicles 6:1)  Caffeine is also effective for easing depression and increasing stamina. Today's schedule warranted it.

Sometimes life can throw a few curve balls not only to one's self but also to those dear to one's heart. 

With cuppa of caffeine in one hand, the verse reminding me that the "LORD is even in the dark cloud" in my head, and Jesus Today in my traveling book bag I headed out to "face" my day. 

But God.....reminded me through entry 10 (Jesus Today, p. 23) to affirm my trust in Him as I wait hopefully......watching and seeing what He will do.

The best part of the day was Him "waking me up" to His Presence in the shadowy darkness.

CUT AND PASTE DOCTRINE

1/9/13 Until this past Sunday’s sermon, (1/13/13) I had never heard of a Thomas Jefferson Bible. According to our pastor, Jefferson created his own gospel theology by removing from his own Bible the parts he didn’t agree with, especially the “miracles.” He obviously used something sharp, maybe scissors, to cut out parts he didn’t agree with and just pasted them on blank paper. It was a pasting up his own account of Christ’s philosophy. Jefferson's own cut and paste theology. It allowed God’s Word to fit Jefferson’s own inclinations. If it didn’t fit, out it went.

As you read with mouth agape, don’t lord yourself as “holier than thou” over Mr. Jefferson. Instead, ask your self how many times you, too, have wanted to “pick and choose” the parts of the Bible that you agree with and then dismiss all the rest.

Jefferson’s version created a God who would never do what Jefferson could not explain, such as a miracle. His cut and paste gave him a god who would not say “no” to Jefferson’s own wants and will.

A cut and paste god is NOT as big as the one true God of the one true Bible. (Psalm 33:4)

VERSE 2013

1/7/12 My first "Meditation Monday" verse for 2013 is the "verse" I hope to hang my hat on throughout the year.  A verse I will seek to ingest as a part of my discipline of "Scripture Intake." The verse I will pray for others. The verse I hope others will pray for me. Ephesians 3:19 is the scripture with the version citation following the verse. Different translations are listed to offer food for thought and to increase one's "appetite" for meditation!

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (NLT)

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV)

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (The Message, MSG)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: READING ALOUD

1/6/13 For years, at least 40, I have espoused the importance of reading aloud! How blessed I was this past week to hear my son reading aloud to 4 of his sons---my precious grands, who all listen in their own way. 

NOAH JOSHUA LILES 1/3/2004

1/3/13 HAPPY 9^TH BIRTHDAY, NOAH!

I prayed “your” Proverbs 3 for you today, especially verses 5-6 & 20-23.

Enjoy your "Wii dance 4“ birthday!

I love you. Shug, your “Dancing Granny” 

6 months

2 years

4 years

7 years

Almost 9

Blog, Under Consideration.....

1/2/12 .....or....Blog, under construction. Along with considering my verse for the year----with leanings toward one in Ephesians, I began to question my blog rationale, design and random posting schedule. Why am I still writing? Should I have exact days to post? Is "Seeing God's Hand" an integral part of the format? Is "Seeing God's Hand" of benefit to readers or is it just a spiritual diary of sorts for me? If so, has it outlived it's purpose since I'm no longer "cancer ridden" and my physical health  update platform is no longer needed?

Sometimes I struggle with that "suppose to be daily" aspect of the blog. It's hard to be relevant for others when it's just my personal stuff. SGH's postings, this past month in particular, have been difficult? Is that a sign to reformat?

As these thoughts whirled, I opened my "God Tube" jottings from last weekend to this sentence.

We can look for God’s hand and miss His heart, but we will never miss His hand when we listen for His heart. (God Tube, 12/29/12)

Conviction was immediate followed by more "spiritual" consideration. Though the answer isn't immediately clear---an action plan of Matthew 6:33 could lead to His conclusion for all my blog questions.

NEW YEAR'S DAY 2013

1/1/13 HAPPY NEW YEAR from all the Liles' boys.....well almost!

There he is!

Out from under the hat.

Last Minute Meditation

12/31/12 Meditation. It's a matter of spiritual nutrition. Have you been feasting with me this year? Have you found His words and eaten them and allowed them to become the joy and delight of your life? Have you tasted His word enough to "see" that He is good?
Tonight as hubby read  the last entry in Tony Dungy's Uncommon Life to me, I was reminded that though I pick and choose bits of scripture for meditation, I often pick verses that "speak" to me, yet, I must always remember, as Dungy says, that the Bible, in its entirety, is God's love story to His creation.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true, and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

Those are my last minute thoughts as these last minutes of 2012 wind down.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Christmas Week 2012

12/30/12 Lots of illness and weather problems prevented all of the Liles/Adams family getting together but for those who came to Memphis, it was fun! A whole week of fun....will continue with Texans until 2013!!! Hooray!!  An E-Christmas (electronic) for everyone......plus outdoor sports, indoor games, Wii  "Just Dance 4," donut making, s'mores around the fire, long-distance calls w/ MA pix and space station sighting 12/30. 

Praises for the privilege of seeing our children's children! (Psalm 128:6)

Lucy Christmas morn in MA 

Lucy Christmas afternoon at MJ and G-Daddy's

Electronics for everyone but John Parker is the numbers king with the clock app!

From iPad's and iPhones to laptops and iPods 

Thumbs as fast as lightning! 

Dance Contest---hard to photograph with so much movement. 

Andrews homemade donut in mouth and in the hair.

Everyone shakes their own donut.

Swing climbing brothers Nathan and Noah

Owen wall climbing with cousins

E-Christmas for adults as well as kids.

Br-r-r----a perfect night for s'mores! 

Birdwatching with the identification chart close at hand.

Caleb, the puzzle pro with a little Mom help

Pop-Pop tracking the space station for us!

Space station sighting accomplished 5:58 pm 12/30/12!! Thanks, Hal for the info! 

A new "do" for Lucy---her first haircut!

"CLIMBING THE WALLS"

12/29/12 "Climbing the walls" is what one might expect in a small house with 7 boys and 1 girl and cold temps with spitting snow........but----sometimes the "perfect" wall is provided by a friend!

THANKS, Stephanie for the wall for the cousins!