CHOOSE: PRAISE

Signs of God's creation have a way of making my heart leap in praise. Such was the case this past weekend in Brentwood when God's sunset had me in awe!

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. (Psalm 65:8)

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

CHOOSE: FLEXIBILITY

"Nora's Day" is Thursday---at least it has been for the last 6 years!

For many years it was every Monday-Friday. Once Molly started kindergarten we only had her once a month and it was always on Thursday. She would spoil us on those days with the BEST fried chicken and pound cake or carrot cake for Larry. 

But....when I retired, those Thursdays became Elnora's Day. A "treat" day for her after 30+ years of her "treating" us! 

Then, this week a schedule snafu had us changing to Monday. What a laughing, eating, (Freddy's w/ Nancy) hugging (w/Margie) visiting, (at KDS nursing home) more laughing time----with laughter that even followed us from the movie, "Going in Style," all the way back home!!

God's Word says "there is a time for everything"---so grateful that our choice of flexibility allowed us a time to LAUGH! (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

CHOOSE: NEW EQUATION

New mug at brother Bobby's for my morning cuppa says it all as I begin the day and share "tea" with him, a fellow hot tea aficionado. A morning ritual  carry over from childhood days at 2211 in Hoptown!

Start the day grounded in faith (Colossians 2:7) and filled with hope (Colossians 1:23) to give joy for one's self that it might be poured out into the lives of others to bolster their faith. (Ephesians 3:17)

Equation of the heart: Rooted and grounded in faith + gospel hope = joy and love poured in to one's heart and then out to others!

Choose this equation daily!

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE

A Liles wedding.

There's nothing quite like them.
Sacred ceremonies. Vows before God and man. 
Then the dancing begins!
Tonight's wedding dance of Michael and Megan began with dancing down the aisle as the recessional music was played for these newlyweds----celebrating their new life together.

Dancing continued at the Old Natchez Country Club for all of us.
For them, the beauty of this new season in their lives is that from this time forth there is a new dance---regardless of the "music" life throws their way, that they will dance it together, led by the Lord.
How easy it is to choose to celebrate with Megan and Michael Liles.

CHOOSE: TO REMEMBER

More later but here's a hint.

CHOOSE: THE WAY

Choosing the Way of the Cross in last week's VBS was a way for children to begin to understand the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)

Focusing on the "way" means to choose to do what God's word tells us to do or say. Following His way is easier when one understands, God loves us, God is for us and God is always with us.

Be kind. (Ephesians 4:32) Just two simple words---easy to say but sometimes hard for little ones to remember to do, especially to siblings. It's hard for all of us to choose the right way at certain times.

It's easier to choose the "right" way when our focus is on the cross----a great reminder for adults created by the hands of young children.

CHOOSE: accorDANCE

More often than not, I'm a rule follower. Years ago in a friendly game, participants described each other with adjectives that began with the same letter as one's name. Example--pretty Patricia.

If Siri had been playing, she would have named me "ditsy" Dotsy. I would have gladly settled for that or delightful or dancing....but the consensus for me was diligent. 

Diligent. How boring! 

Yet, as aging has set in, it is a trait that I tend to admire in others. Too many seem to see themselves beyond the rules---as if "rules" are for others, not them. They are a member of the "terminally unique." Think those who litter, park in handicap spaces, keep their phones on in theaters, or text while driving.

They don't "dance" according to the rules. Rules are for others. They are the exception.

Maybe young people need diligent rule following adults in their lives as good examples.

This young lady chose to "model" the "quiet" rule at the St. Jude golf-tournament recently---not just in accordance with this respectful rule but by encouraging others to do the same.

I, the diligent one, choose accorDANCE---to waltz through life in accordance with the rules set out in God's word, even though sometimes I do "trip" up. 

The good news is that when I stumble in my accorDANCE, God is there. (Psalm 37:24)

CHOOSE: FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST

First Evan's weekend "Gals and Galleries Tour " was a "scent-sational" exhibit. 

Dixon Gallery and Gardens' "Scent and Symbolism Exhibit" explored the world of fragrance in art and nature, displaying antique perfume bottles (140 from 17th -20th centuries) and fragrant flowering plants in the garden. 

Jenna Fergus, our G & G guide for our summer tours, emphasized the way painters through the ages explored the sense of smell in paintings, engravings, lithographs and even porcelain pieces. Prior to the tour, she sent us a link to Bible verses about fragrances, aromas and spices in the Bible. What a great way to "SPICE" up our tour. Jenna always gives us a way of looking at art from a "new" direction.

The engraving, "Smell: The Five Senses" (series#11,1736) caught my attention. It had a "story" that spoke to me. My story was a little different from the one with the display, but I was grateful for the info included by the museum.

 A rustic gardener, smelling a dianthus. (One of the flowers Mother had throughout her garden) Certainly the man is an employee of the owner of the formal gardens which he tends, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying "his" moment as he "sniffs" the dianthus.

Following the tour, Jenna reminded us that our actions can be a sweet aroma to the Lord and others but we can also "stink" it up. What an eye-opening exhibit to keep us focused on God's word about fragrances.

But thanks be to God, who always leads up in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

May I continue to choose to be a fragrance of Christ to others.

CHOOSE: SHARING GOD'S TRUTH

One is never to old to share truth from God's Word. I know because I have watched Miss Jean do it for the last 2 years and she is 20 years older than I. But.....what an inspiration she is to so many of us!

How special it is to share truth with young people through God's word, skits, sign language, crafts, games, music, art, science and puppets........

.....and even trading cards!

• God made you. (Psalm 139:14)
• God is for you. (Romans 8:31)
• God is always with you. (Joshua 1:9)
• God will always love you. (Psalm 89:2)
• God made you for a reason. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Choosing to share God's truth was important, meaningful and altogether FUN.

CHOOSE: LISTENING

At our home, the "S" word is not allowed---never has been since the children were old enough to talk. "Shut-up" is our "S" word. "We" don't see it as a kind word. So...we don't say it. That's the Liles' rule!

However, we acknowledge that there are times when all of us need to close our mouths in order to listen. When silence is necessary to get another's attention, we say HUSH!

Somedays I need to tell the world to "HUSH!" so that I can "hear" from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:29) Yet, sometimes even when I close out the world and am alone, I still have "noises" in my mind that whirr and drown out God's still small voice. Then, I need to open my Bible and tell my mind to "hush." His word is His voice---and it's the best way to listen to Him. Then, I need to heed what I hear.

"Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." (Psalm 34:11)

More often, listening as to hear  and heed is more of a heart problem than an ear problem.

Choosing to listen needs to become the antecedent for choosing "heartfelt" action.