CHOOSE: THANKFUL THURSDAY

How easy it is to "choose" to be thankful when one is recipient of "reading gifts" from others. Gifts which show they know me well.

Yet, God's word reminds us to give thanks in everything---even sadness.

Sipping my cuppa gra-TEA-tude this morning has me choosing to do just that---remembering those who have passed in to eternity the past 2 weeks and to be grateful for the time I had with each of them, even though it still hurts.

CHOOSE: STRESS RELIEF

Ah-h-h-h, wouldn't it be nice just to open a bar of stress relief soap and be able to use it to "scrub" out all the anxious thoughts in your head? It can be a real war in there. Lye soap type cleaning needed----though eucalyptus spearmint sounds more soothing for this much needed palliative care.

I know, in my head, that those thoughts need to be brought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:15)

I try---I really do. 

I know that God's word says, be anxious for nothing....(Philippians 4:6)

I continually focus on filling my mind with gratitude.

Maybe that's my problem. Focus. An "incorrect focus.
Don't focus on "doing." Focus on "being"---His, no less.

Just maybe, the problem is a "heart one," for out of the heart flows the issues of the heart. (Proverbs 4:23)

CHOOSE: THE LORD OF THE DANCE AS YOUR PARTNER

CHOOSE: THE LORD OF THE DANCE AS YOUR PARTNER

Thanks to my friend, JH who sent me this picture. 

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He.

Some verse of scripture "sing out " to me of dance positions with the Lord of the dance.

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. (Psalm 73:23)

Even when I stumble in my life dance with Him, His words from Psalm 37:24 comfort me. 
If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. (NCV)

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Psalm 41:13)

Who wouldn't want to dance through life with the One who holds you close and calms your fears.

That's why I choose the "Lord of the Dance" to lead me.

CHOOSE: RSVP

I don't remember what all the fancy french words are for that acronym---I just understand what it means. In southern speak, it means just let us know whether or not you are coming.

This morning as I was checking an invite, my eyes were open to "see" more than that. To see what my widow ladies seem to invite me to do weekly, more so when homebound.

Reach Someone Very Personally. 

They are that someone and they want more than my baked goodies, phone call or card.
They want my time. They want me. In the flesh.

Isn't that what we all want from friends? Especially when we are lonely.

Today, may I do that as God leads. It is more than ministry, it's a privilege. (James 1:27)

CHOOSE: FRIDAY FUN WITH FRIENDS!!!

CHOOSE: TO PASS THE "LOVE" TEST

Most all of us know the answers to the "love' test......but it takes enact of the will to live them.

Spiritual telepathy from Katherine Abraham----the perfect LOVE card to be a title for the "test."

Deuteronomy 13:3 says that "God gives us tests." 

The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

LOVE TEST--Pray and proceed.

1. Do you know Jesus? The answer can be found in John 3:16 & 1 John 5:1.
2. How is your walk? Does it reflect your love of the LORD?The answer can be found in Galatians 5:16 & & Ephesians 5:8.
3. Do you worship Him and Him only?The answer can be found in Deuteronomy 5:7, Psalm 16:2 & Psalm 27:4.
4. Do you have fellowship with other believers? The answer can be found in Psalm 55:14, Acts 4:42, 1 John 1:7 & Hebrews 10:25.
5. Is all your joy in Him? The answer can be found in Nehemiah 8:10 & Psalm 16:11 & John 15:11.
6. Is the LORD your refuge? The answer can be found in Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:8 & Psalm 91:2.
7. Is the LORD your hope? The answer can be found in  & Romans 15:13 .

Why 7 questions you ask. See what God's word says the number 7 represents.

I choose to pass the test and hope that's your choice as well.

CHOOSE: AN (ART) FORM OF WORSHIP

Nothing like falling in love with a piece of sculpture and having the one you love,  buy it for you. Add to that, the delivery by the sculptor herself (Heidi Walter) and you have the perfect anniversary gift.

"LEAN"---HEIDI WALTER,  Mixed Media Conceptual Sculptor
I wanted to create a contrast that illustrates people's posture in life, or on issues. People usually find what they are looking for. You can lean way in , or away. Some are eager to look and others, refuse. What are you looking for? 

YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. (JEREMIAH 29:13)

L

Every time I walk by it, I am drawn to it in a new way. Scripture floods my mind. 

On this our 48th anniversary, I see those magnifying glasses and am grateful to share Psalm 34:3 with hubby.

MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME FOREVER!

Sliding Rock-Brevard, NC Lucy, age 5, follows Mommy into icy plunge!

CHOOSE: SLOWING

Choosing slowing is easier for me to type than for me to do. Obviously. Busyness and slowing have been topics in several Dotsy Details blog entries.

I will slow down; set limits on my commitments and work; And make certain that those whom I love remain first in my life. 

That sounded like such a good idea when I read it. So, I brewed a cuppa intentionali-TEA and wrote "slow down" post-it notes to place throughout the house.
Then "my  plan" fell apart.
I "lost" the book before I could get citation info for the blog. I know that's a big literary publishing no-no....so a lawsuit could be in my future. I certainly don't have time for that.

I should have put a slow down post-it in my car since his afternoon I hurried through a light that went from yellow to red. I don't have court time or money for that either--if those lights still operate.
DING! Calendar reminders popped up that reminded me of pre-scheduled events. Then, 2 of the post it notes lost adhesive and "bit the dust."

So....did I give up? No. Once again I just needed to change my focus.

Seek Him first.
...make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim and then these things shall all be given you in addition. (Weymouth New Testament)

I choose to allow Him to choose my best schedules or pare appointments as needed,and am joyfully expectant to see how He will work this out in my life.

CHOOSE: WORTHWHILE VISUALS

Choosing what we "see" is just that----a choice. From TV and movies, to books and FB or Twitter posts. Godly wisdom and discipline are paramount in these choices.

...Set no worthless thing before your eyes; (Psalm 101:3)

Hopefully the bride and groom will long remember this visual of the last "decorated" pew in their walk down the aisle and out the door to a life as Mr. and Mrs.

May such a memory keep their married life focused on the One who is "the Rose of Sharon."