Wednesday, September 6, 2017

CHOOSE: A WORTHY READ

Christian authors. Too often, folks in "literary circles" first thoughts of Christian lit are fluffy, ho-hum, even hokey. That's sad. Certainly there are Christian authors out there who's fiction is of the literary sort!! One of those being Michèle Phoenix, a writer of literature, not mass media "fluff."

Her latest book, hit shelves yesterday. Space Between Words, is a work of historical fiction---a story within a story that has a plot twist that will knock your socks off and make you keep reading well into the night and early morning!**
Life is too short to read "unworthy" literature, that's why choosing Phoenix's, "The Space Between Words" is a worthy choice for you as well as me.

6 PM---How appropriate---hubby just reminded me that today is NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY!
Any Michèle Phoenix books would be a good choice!!


Tuesday, September 5, 2017

CHOOSE: HAPPY

This sign is a BIG reminder of the "choice!" Thanks to Nancy E. for sending it to me from somewhere in Nashville.
Sometimes "happy" is a choice but receiving this encouraging picture let's me know someone out there is reading my blog. Intuit way, "happy" found me.
Just after typing this I headed upstairs to put away linens and "happy" found me once more---in the form of encouragement.
My T-Cup travelin' buddies gave me this "happy" bear as I was preparing to leave for Texas (2009) for an unknown # of of cancer surgeries. It even had "my cancer" verse, Psalm 30:11,  embroidered on it. 
To this day overtime I squeeze his little foot and he sings, "Come on Get Happy,"  I smile---and puddle at the same time, as I recall their send-off filled with love, prayers, encouragement and hope!!! God so answered prayers of healing and blessing during that season of suffering. During my surgeries, they took turns coming to Texas to be my "came-giver/nurses! 
Click here to hear the tune---"Come on Get Happy"

Hello world here's a song that we're singing Come on get happy. A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringing We'll make you happy. 
Travelin' along there's a song that we're singin' Come on get happy. A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringin' We'll make you happy We'll make you happy .
We had a dream we'd go travelin' together And spread a little lovin', then we keep moving on Something always happens whenever we're together We get a happy feeling when we're singing a song. 
Maybe I should choose to encourage others so that "happy" can find them.

Monday, September 4, 2017

CHOOSE: FRUITFUL LABOR

Labor Day 2017
The grilling, in which I just enjoy the fruits of another's labor, will have to wait.
First things first. 
Retirees, of which I am one, have relinquished their official work days but much work can still fill their other days.....even on Labor Day when other workers are celebrating a well deserved rest.
The important thing is to Put God first. 
Following a time of praise and prayer, that's what this "mess" on the table is all about. 
I'm petitioning the Master to use this "mess" to bear fruit in the lives of others---that those who are weary in spirit might be refreshed! (2 Corinthians 7:13)
Hopefully that's a labor of love that will bear much fruit.

Friday, September 1, 2017

CHOOSE: CORRECT MULTIPLICAND

In calculation, one gets a "product" (answer ) when one chooses the multiplicand that is to be multiplied. Multiplicand x Multiplier = Product

To me, in my spiritual life, this is somewhat of a warning. Those mathematical terms might be a stretch for all the thoughts that multiply in my head but God is showing me that anxious thoughts multiplied indicate I need more of Him or I will get a quantity obtained by multiplication, which I don't want. (Psalm 94:19)
As Chuck Swindoll states in the "anxiety" chapter 3, Christ at the Crossroads, (my) problems,  "multiply" when I insert "my" solutions, try to work them out by "myself "or allow "my" own "fear" of inadequacy to creep in. The product from the multiplication of those problems is an answer I don't like. I become "afraid."
Clearly the answer for the multiplying of anxious thoughts is fear.  "Fear with inadequacy." 
Multiplying anxious thoughts becomes a deep-seeded fear much too heavy for me to carry around----so I choose thought multiplicands of love & truth, given by God. For He has not given us "fear but power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) I'll take those "products" any day. 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

CHOOSE: TO CALCULATE WITH GOD

Calculation, in beginning mathematics, often includes subtraction. 
In the spiritual life it's a very important component of one's day---when used to subtract "our" additions. Our additions, which are not in right relationship with the Lord's plan for our day, need to be taken away. As my grandson would say, "two take away one is one." Spiritually we need to keep the "ones" which are God's and "take away" others. The terminology, subtract or take away or use of the minus symbol - , doesn't matter. God's formula for our lives is always the right answer. Subtraction often syncs with submission.
However, one subtraction is NEVER a component of a godly relationship.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.(Psalm 25:4-5)
One doesn't ever subtract God from any area of life---whether ordinary and seemingly mundane or crisis. To do so, allows doubt to come in from all sides.

So...I chose to begin my day prayerfully calculating with Him---and it's a good thing I used an erasable pen!

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

CHOOSE: TO HEED

Pray and Obey. Pithy with a punch. It even rhymes!  A great reminder to heed.
The Lord has been revealing much to me in His word this week as I have chosen to "pray" scripture.
Now....it's up to me. Will I obey the truth I have been shown? 
Some obedience is much easier than others. But God.....wants it all.
Taking every thought captive seems to me a besetting sin. (2 Corinthians 10:5,) i.e. worry. (Philippians 4:6)
Marginalia to the rescue. Chuck Swindoll notes, from the anxiety chapter 3 of Christ at the Crossroads, reminded me:
I worry when...
ADD--- something else to my already FULL agenda
          ---my reputation/pride to a situation
          ---someone else's expectation of  me ..........& then I become angry.

I worry when I calculate without God....considering consequences of "addition without him" seems a good beginning point for lots of needed heeding.

Now, I need to choose to heed, but I think I'll just focus on inappropriate addition---that seems doable today. I certainly don't need to add frustration or anger to my life, which Swindoll sees as a result of too much addition.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

CHOOSE: TO FILL HEART WITH GOOD THINGS

Choosing to fill a heart with good things boils down to filling it with truth. God's word is truth. When words pour forth from a heart filled with his word, those words are seasoned with Scripture. Think "salt." (Matthew 15:13)
Worthy Words. Words that honor His name.
The story is told of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, who said it was "hearing a group of women talk about the things of God and the work of God in their hearts," which brought about his own conversion. Bunyan certainly "took notes" of their words and then acted on what he heard.

Matthew 12:34 says , "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."


A good choice, to fill one's heart with good things because one never knows who might listening.

Monday, August 28, 2017

CHOOSE: "REAL" GOOD NEWS

These days its often hard to discern "fake" news from real news and frankly none of the news seems to be of the "good" variety!
But God....blessed my heart yesterday when I opened Sunday's Commercial Appeal business section to "GOOD" news!
Plan on heading that way soon to patronize our "new" novel.---our locally owned bookstore.
My "Dove" message sealed the deal---at least, it made me smile and enhanced the chocolate treat.
It's fun to choose "real good news" one day followed by choosing some dark chocolate a day later that reinforced my decision to "shop local." Not that I ever need too much nudging to visit a bookstore or library.

Friday, August 25, 2017

CHOOSE: PEACE WITH YOUR PAST

Don't come to your present moments encumbered with "if only" regrets from your past!
Sip a cuppa amnes-TEA with your past. Sweeten it with acceptance. 
Otherwise you might squander the "present" and never find lasting peace.
"Only in acceptance lies peace." Elisabeth Elliott, (my NIV marginalia)
I choose Christ in Me---the One who gives me peace in the present but also enables me to come to terms with my past, so that His peace might reign there as well.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

CHOOSE: CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

On a recent morning "cousin" walk on Cedarwood in Nashville, I came across a bird church. 
For some reason that woodland anomaly of sorts, spoke volumes.
A quiet place. A gathering spot for the flock. A place for feeding.  A place under the cross as if they to are atune to the one who feeds the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:25)
A bird church---not unlike my own church or the church at the end of Cedarwood.
A place for God’s flock, although we’re more like stubborn sheep at times, to gather. That Monday, the Cedarwood congregation came to view the eclipse together and even invited us to join.
God’s church. A place to go and be fed. Often times it’s a place of quiet prayer. Other times, especially Wednesday nights and “fellowship Sundays,” it’s a place of “chowing down” for physical sustenance.
On Sundays, church is a place for spiritual sustenance as we come together to “feast” on God’s word and be nourished by it, just as the early church did.
Continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching  (their words came straight from God Himself) and to fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
For me, church is the wise choice. It nourishes me spiritually and relationally with both God and man. I know “some” folks don’t feel that way. God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-25, says, “….not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
I don’t want to be one of the “some” because I not only want to encourage others but I am so  blessed by the encouragement I receive as well.


I am grateful for the little bird church in the woods which reminded me to choose church!