WOW Factor in Meditation

3/25/13 Just finished Anne Lamott's, Help, Thanks, Wow--the three essentials of prayers and though I don't always agree with her "theology," that gal has a way with words. Pastor Cole alluded to her book title in yesterday's Palm Sunday message during our "Festival of Praise." He concludes that "praise" is the "wow" of prayer. He quoted C.S. Lewis, definition of praise. Praise is inner health made audible.
So.....this week's meditation will be on "praise" verses. Verses which for me are easy to find in my "old" Bible because they are marked in purple, per Kay Arthur's instruction in the first Bible Study I ever attended.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150:6, KJV)

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:1-5, NIV)

In KJV, word "bless," translation is used---but as applied to God, bless means to praise, implying a strong love & affection for him as well as a sense of gratitude. It's the chosen translation for "10,000 Reasons" song (Matt Redman) so naturally I love that version too!

A Mom and her special needs son join in the WOW of worship

Sing to the Lord a new song,.....for he has done marvelous things; Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (Psalm 98:1 & 4, KJV)

The entire service was full of the WOW of praise---from scripture readings to songs. A "wow" factor that has me continuing to meditate praise worthy scriptures.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: FLORIDA FLORALS

3/24/13 Florals.....along with some topiaries and live oaks "dripping" with Spanish moss. It was the 20th year of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. A visual feast for us at Disney World.

SO SOUTHERN!

Disney's favorite couple w/ Goofy holding the 20th (floral) cake.

My favorite couple! 

WHAT COLOR!!!

TWININGS---MY KIND OF GARDEN.

A reminder of Beth, who has a "knack" for creative gardening.

Who doesn't love Lady and Tramp!

"MATER"--the boys favorite floral design!

All things bright and beautiful.......,

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, .....

The river running by,.............

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one..............

The tall trees in the greenwood,

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
(Excerpts from Maker of Heaven and Earth by Cecil F. Alexander)

Pie Day Confession

3/22/13 "Pie Day".......not Pi Day 3/14 or National Pie Day 1/23)---not even  like the Thursdays of old when Molly and I baked pies to take to folks who could use a lift. No....this is an I could "eat a whole pie" kind of day. I'm a pie kind of gal. I do like a good caramel cake (for the icing) and a coconut cake but given my "druthers," I would choose pie. Today was filled with a few self imposed deadlines as well as calorie counting for hubby and trying to "eat" well for both of us. That's all it takes---thinking I'm going to be deprived, I crave something sweet to eat----hence the desire to eat an entire pie.

Last week's drive home from Disney World had us stopping in New Albany, MS at Sugarees Bakery---to buy a chocolate meringue pie, made with 1 lb. of pastry, 3 lbs. of chocolate filling and 1 lb. of meringue. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

A pie you can sink your entire mouth into---while "sinking" your entire weight plan. But....they also have a smaller one. Hm-m-m- is it worth the drive??  Probably not---but the memory is sure "sweet."

This entry is in no way spiritual unless the old adage, "confession is good for the soul" is true in a bakery!

HOOP-DEE-DOO!

3/20/13 HOOP-DEE-DOO--great words to describe our time at Disney World last week. Thanks to YaYa & Poppy for the ONLY picture that has all of us in it. Such a happy bunch!

No greater joy ---I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4) Living it out in their daily walk, practicing patience and kindness throughout a whirlwind vacation!

  

FAST PASSES---N/A

3/19/13 Fast Passes were available for us at all the "biggie" rides at Disney World last week. They enabled us to avoid waiting, to skip the unpleasantness of long lines, which are so undesirable when you have young children in tow. Too bad such passes aren't available for us as we navigate thru life. At least in our "human" thinking that seems desirable. But God.....is more concerned with our character than our comfort. 

Streams in the Desert's entry (3/19*) clearly points out the "necessity of waiting" in the spiritual realm.  

Many hours of waiting  were necessary to enrich
David's harp with song. And hours of waiting in the
wilderness will provide us with psalms of
"thanksgiving, and the sound of singing," (Isaiah 51:3)
The hearts of the discouraged here below will be lifted
and joy will be brought to our Father's heavenly home.

Waiting---whether in a line or in another unpleasant or hard discouraging place can be an "exercise" in dependence on Him.  Waiting and discomfort can increase both our capacity for "suffering" and sensitivities to others.

No fast passes needed---just Him.

*Thanks to JoLynn for the "Streams" rec this morn--
 On-line entry is 8/27 & underlines are mine.

Purpose of Meditation

3/18/13 Putting God's words in my mind is the purpose of meditation for me. When I have His words  at the forefront of my "thinking," spiritual understanding begins to not only take root but begins to dispel those other thoughts. The inappropriate ones.

In my January BSF notes I had jotted down Charlie Brown's resolution, 'to only "dread"one day at a time.' I can relate to good ole Charlie Brown, because throughout my life, I have had to fight that ugly monster of dread. It used to rear its ugly head way too often. Being retired has helped me as retirement has provided more time for meditation. In the book of Joshua (verse 8) "meditating day and night" on the book of the law is encouraged. That is not without reason. Meditation helps quell the "dread."----at least for me it does. 

Discouragement can be a seedbed for dread. Thus, this weeks verse is a reminder for my thoughts not to linger there. I don't want any new "dread" popping up.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)

That's my purpose for this week's meditation. What's yours?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: DISNEY WORLD 2013

 3/17/13 How does one choose photos to reflect a week's worth of wonder? 

Cousin Love

"Characters"---all of them! Ck out all those autograph books....forget eating!

ALMOST HOME

3/16/13 From the rising of the sun at Port Orleans Riverside---which was 2 hours earlier than we were used to in Central Standard Time coupled with Daylight Saving Time---to the setting of the sun in the parks, each day was a treasure trove of memories.

Sunrise over the lake at Port Orleans Riverside in Alligator Bayou.

Sunset at Epcot

I am so-o-o grateful of all the blessings and memories that were bestowed upon us! We had fun even in the snafus, wet rides, spilt milk, delayed flights and cat lurking on the balcony!
Great trip for all!

LAST DAY URGENCY

3/14/13 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON----& IT'S IN HOURS NOW........
Though the goal of the trip has been to enjoy the moments and the rides and shows we see rather than trying to do it all, today the "push" seems great to catch the ones we missed earlier in the week---Indiana Jones, Lights! Motors! Action! car stunts show. Re-do for favorites like Rock"n" Roller coaster for the big guys and Toy Story for everyone also became part of "our" plan.
It was a good thing that we remembered our original goal because as we grandmothers rushed thru the gate with little ones in the stroller and another tagging alongside, to Toy Story, we got there in time to be told that the ride was broken. The verse that came to my mind was Proverbs 16:9. A reminder of who is in charge.

”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” 

Disappointing and difficult to explain to little ones. Life lessons can be hard but can also offer great opportunities for modeling. So, we got fast passes---just in case the ride was fixed before our time at the park was over.  Then, we got our faces painted bright red on our last day! 

"Mouse Moments" Meditation

3/11/13 Disney World is good at teaching you to savor each moment. Scripture also teaches us to savor our moments because life is fleeting. As Ecclesiastes 6:12 reminds us---we pass through life "like a shadow." So....make the most of those moments that God gives.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

My "Mouse Moments"this week---reflecting on the week with family as a gift from God---and enjoying each of those moments to the fullest.