"Pouring Out ......

6/28/13 What is a life of simplicity? To the Christian, it boils down to "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) How does one "share" that life with others?
For over a month, I scripturally explored such a life in order to "pour out" into the lives of others. Pouring out those truths which the Lord had shown me.  Though the group represented only 

1½ generation span, my desire for each was similar to Paul's for all God's holy people "......you will shine among them like stars in the sky."(Philippians 2:15)

My prayer for the group is "that their life is "played out" before the world-----fully lived and Spirit-filled." Then, others might see folks who love the Lord more, and love others better while blessing Him and benefitting others through God inspired service.

Pouring out a full-bodied pure assam leaf tea from the Brahmaputra Valley of India to promote the  rich,  refreshing  enjoyment of a cuppa and the practice of hospitali-TEA! 

 Service is the "pouring out" (practical application) of one's life to profit others. It flows from the heart.

Simplici-TEASession #4 practicali-TEA w/ generosi-TEA & hospitali-TEA Notes
Fosters's Outward Expressions of Simplicity Notes

WACKY WEDNESDAY

6/26/13 Wacky Wednesday.....it's that time of summer when we head to the art gallery to learn about artists and create our own art that is "similar" to that of the "masters." "My" Molly does a great job co-ordinating the activities for the kids. So.....Shug and Pop-Pop, both like to go to WW with 6 yr. old Owen. Our big day ended w/ everyone going to Theater Memphis for "Singing in the Rain"---a MUST SEE!!! Shug & Pop-Pop went with friends and Molly & Owen had a mommy-son date night.

WACKY WEDNESDAYS----DON"T MISS---FREE ADMISSION --10-12

Aspiring artists see movies & create Claude Monet flowers as they learn about the artist.

This month's activities are co-ordinated with the Carroll Cloar exhibit.

Snaggle-tooth mails his picture postcard at the Carroll Cloar  interactive gallery for kids.

Play with color and light--- important aspects of art 

Art books provided--more inspiration. Owen's fave was Magritte's Marvelous Hat  with 

transparent pages adding another level of surrealism.

Mommy & son "date night" at Theater Memphis. 

GREAT FINALE for a Wacky Wednesday full of "the arts."

Owen "meets" Lydia Hart, the STAR of the show and a friend of his mommy.

Ah-h-h, that we all should have more Wacky Wednesday's in our lives. They're there. Glorious things are hidden in the ordinary days. The more we celebrate those, the more extraordinary they become.
As the Belgium artist, Rene Magritte (1898-1967) said, "Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see."
I say, "Celebrate the ordinary! When we celebrate the ordinary, the extraordinary becomes visible."

Emergency Meditation

6/24/13 Cling to God's Hand. Hold His hand that you might not stumble or fall headlong. But God is the One who holds your hand. (Psalm 34:23-24)

Therefore when phone calls interrupt one's "peace" he/she can remember the One who is actually doing the holding......

My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)

.....even sitting in the emergency room waiting on tests for "my" Molly.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Michèle!!!!!!!!!!

6/23/13 Michèle!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S 10 EXCITEMENTS! (Owen's perfect definition of exclamation points.)
Michèle Phoenix, with whom I share not only the 1 John 1:3 type of believer's fellowship but also the 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 fellowship which is shared by sisters in the faith on the same side of the struggle. Her MAC cancer journey began a year ahead of mine. She lived in Germany at the time, but God....brought us together using daughter Molly's relentless searching on the internet. Michèle even involved her choral students from Black Forest Academy----who "sang" from afar, songs of encouragement to me. We have sent met stateside 4 times and now that her ministry to MKs (missionary kids) has her living in Wheaton, IL I hope He blesses us with lots more meetings.

"Scar to Scar" celebration at Charlie Gitto's "on the hill" in St. Louis with Michèle Phoenix and her mom.

This weekend we met in St. Louis to encourage her as her book "Tangled Ashes," a great novel with a little mystery intertwined, is in the top three finalist for the ICRS (International Christian Retailers Show) "Christy" award. Being a finalist is BIG and I hope she wins----but regardless,  Michèle is the WINNER in my book as she has continued to live out 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 for me.

St. Louis pix for Michèle & Sally.

Saturday Conviction

6/22/13 Saturday Conviction came in the form of a question seen in a store window in St. Charles.

Cute cobblestone town---the question, not so cute?

"Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?

Convicting is a better question descriptor on this Saturday in Missouri.

Night-Watches Note-Taker

6/21/13 Being the time compulsive planner that I am---I have a watch that glows with the pressures of my thumb. No light needed from bedside lamp, thus allowing hubby to sleep, undisturbed.

For as long as I can remember, I have kept a note pad and pen on my bedside table to “jot” down all those thoughts that come in the night----thus, enabling me to return to sleep. However, said notes are written uphill and down hill & are often indecipherable the next morning.

But….recently, Betty Ferrell, a fellow “Revival” prayer warrior, gave me (a night watches note taker / jotter) the perfect gift! A ball point pen with a lighted tip. Just a “quiet” click and I’m in business during the night watches as hubby snores on.

Beasley Law Firm provides a great gift---pens with lighted tips. Now if I can just  find where to order them so I can pass on this gem to all my night owlish note-taking friends.

My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. (Psalm 119: 148, NASB)

When I remember Thee upon my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night-watches. (Psalm 63:6)

For me, night-watches meditation needs to be accompanied by night-watches note taking or I can’t remember when the mornig sun comes up.

Simplici-TEA session 3, Mentali-TEA/Clari-TEA notes, updated 4 pm CST 6/21/13

Dreg of Excessive Planning addendum

6/20/13 Two days ago I posted the "dreg"(sin) in my life. Excessive overplanning. With further research  I "stumbled" on "Over Planners Anonymous." Everything from an "empty blog" and discussion groups---with some like gripe sessions others like funny confessionals (I'm such a super planner that I have to plan time for spontaneity) to thought-provoking devotionals. Funny and convicting. There was even a blog for "Disney trip overplanners." More conviction!

Just naming said dreg as sin was convicting enough for me. But God......didn't leave me there wallowing in  anguish and defeat.

Example of "old school" excessive planning---add to that...electronic calendars w/ audio prompts & emails and piles of post-it notes and you have an idea of the weight of my "dreg."

My blog entry ended with my confession but God began to bring scripture to mind. Reminders for one who trusts in the Lord and not in self from Proverbs 3: 5-6 soothed me with the words of reassurance,  "that as I acknowledge Him, He will direct me, making my paths straight."
Other verses of comfort:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) 

And we know that all things God work for the good of those who know Him.. (Romans 8:28, NIV)

So grateful that God's word always gives hope---even for  "excessive overplanners."

Simplicity group members access to "Overplanners Anonymous."

Hones-TEA

6/19/13 Rummaging through a friend's "fridge" I found a "tea" that I had never seen before. Though I was taken back by this discovery, I loved seeing one more affirmation from the Lord. He continues to teach me in such creative ways---even through word play on "tea."

Our summer refreshment group, dubbed "simplici-TEA," has been doing a lot of that.  Fellowship has occurred in an unusual way as we have been seeking clari-TEA from God's word on living a life of simplicity and devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthinas 11:3). It has become for me a "safe" group. A group which allows its members to be honest with each other. Uni-TEA has resulted in honesTEA!

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

For those "accepting" group members, the links below are for the 2 forms I neglected to pass out last night. Hopefully, 6/18 lecture notes will be added by Friday.

Simplici-TEA Bibliography
Sweet Tea ABC's---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "tea" words come to mind.
Dregs ABCs---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "dreg" words come to mind, even if not ending in "ity or TEA. 

"HOUSE RULES"

6/18/13 Rushing in the door after our simplici-TEA session, I heard "The Voice" blaring from the TV so I knew I had made it home in time to hear the winner announced. This is the first season I've ever watched the show but when 4 singers from Memphis were selected, I was hooked. 

As I dropped my bags on the couch, 4 of the former guys sang "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".....so-o-o-o hubby and I danced. We always do when "our" dancin' song plays. It's the rule---no matter when or where it plays, we dance. We hadn't  heard it in a good long while, but we got our groove back.

Tonight it was a house rule! What a fun rule!


The Voice Update: Danielle Bradbery, a 16 yr. old from Cypress, TX, won. She and the other top 2 contenders also won a car, whic is sort of ironic since she doesn't even have her driver's license. At least she's from another favorite state (5 of my grands live there) and Sarah and Kris, two Memphians were also featured in the finale.

Sarah Simmons was a student at the Visible Music College on Madison Ave., a school that not only trains vocal artists in music, but in discipleship, worship and ministry as well. Kris Thomas grew up singing in his church choir where is father was the preacher. Grateful for the exposure of these two and hope they remain true to their "roots."

DREGS

6/18/13 In previous blog entries I have given a variety of euphemisms to the word "dregs." Dissatisfactions. Disappointments. Leftovers. Remnants. Worthless parts.

Last weeks simplici-TEA assignment /discussion encouraged looking at a specific "dreg" in one's own life. Identifying and dealing with dregs in our lives is one part of the meditation process. This week the focus was to be on that component. Component #3.

Using the Tea with Thee form, to aid in the blending, brewing, steeping and serving of our scripture meditation we were to ask God to show us our hearts....to see if there be any hurtful/wicked/offensive way in us. (Psalm 139:24) Allowing God to investigate/ cross-examine/test us can be so revealing, and even painful. But God....can use it to bring one to the point of crying out to Him, to "create in me a clean heart, O Lord" (Psalm 51:10) which can lead to a renewed Spirit within, i.e. a change in attitude or behavior.

1. Sip---find a verse or passage of scripture and "steep" it in prayer
2. Savor--think on it with prayerful guidance of God's Spirit 
3. Discard the dregs--eliminate the distasteful parts shown in your life
4. Pour out--not only to yourself but share what God has shown you thus benefitting others as well

The dreg, which God brought to my mind, was EXCESSIVE PLANNING. Though difficult to savor (think on) something so "bitter" in one's own life, it is necessary in order for God to teach truth and for change to occur.

I had to ask myself these hard questions:

• What brings on this distasteful "driven" attribute? 
• Am I still desiring  perfection, even though I know that's unattainable? 
• Is it fear based? 
• Is there a root of unbelief?

In Jesus Calling entry 4/25, author Sarah Young states, "fear often manifests itself in excessive planning." Christians know that fear is not from God because He has said, "I will always be with you." (Hebrews 13:5) Do I truly believe that? If I do, then my actions are not showing trust. Certainly a lack of trust can thwart intimacy with Him.

This dreg my friends is nothing but sin. By any other name, it's still sin. 

It's taking God out of the equation of my life's activities and actions.

It's a lack of trust. Lack of trust is rooted in unbelief.

That's not just a bitter dreg. That's sin.