SILENT RETREAT!

Silent Retreat.

Enough said.

Actually N0THING said aloud....for approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Not sure specifically because I never looked at my watch!

Those who really know me will find that hard to belief.

In quietness and trust is my strength. (Isaiah 3:15)

PREPOSITIONAL PROOF!

Prepositions have purpose in writing!

First grammar info I remember learning about a preposition is never end a sentence with one! Not to worry that rule is now obsolete but I imagine that change would have Miss Rosa Nourse roll over in horror.

Remember those very small words which can show direction, or location. Functional words as Merriam-Webster says most often combining with a noun to make a phrase for modification or prediction.

All of these observations became so clear as I read and re-read yesterday's New Morning Mercies March 27 entry.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Check out the prepositions in the above verse…….each can be important in your understanding of the truth. 

Crucified with Christ---He took our names to the cross on our behalf, a redemptive historical fact.

Christ lives in me---present redemptive reality

I live by faith in the Son who died for me---life shaping result

Proof positive in the life of a Christian.

MONDAY MUSINGS!

Somethings "RING" TRUE.....whether in a Sunday sermon or are echoed in a Monday text from friend, Doris!

It's as if the Spirit of the Lord is saying, "Can you hear me now?"

Loud and clear musings for this last Monday in March.

CARING!

If people could use one word to describe you, what do you think it would be? Given that challenge to describe friend, Crickett, one word kept coming to mind. Caring. 

Think synonymously....Kind. Concerned. Thoughtful. Trustworthy.

My One Word to encompass Crickett Keeth.... "Caring"-- with all the above listed facets.

Crickett has always understood the value of fellowship, knowing how difficult it is to do life alone. She shows this as she blesses lives of many. 

She cares for others in various ways with her time, resources and strengths: 

• devoted to others in love as she honors them above her self. (Romans 12:10) 
• serves others humbly in love (Galatians 5:13c) 
• carries another's burdens, (Galatians 6:2a) 
• trustworthy to keep requested secrecy .... as she looks to the interest of others (Philippians 2:4) 
• In fact, Crickett is known world-wide as a caring encourager who builds up women and spurs them on in a teaching ministry. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

GOD is not unjust; He will not forget your (Crickett's) work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. (Hebrew 6:10) 

Now, that's caring at its best! Think all caps...........

THINK CARING CRICKETT! 

Then.....THANK CRICKETT for listening to the Lord and coming to First Evan 17 1/2 years ago.

HAPPY DANCE DAY!

Today is Happy Dance Day! Who knew?! K-LOVE!

What a blessing to hear others share of God's goodness in their lives.

They know how to "happy dance" with gratitude from their hearts without even moving their feet.

But.....for me I can at least tap my toes knowing the One who has "turned my mourning into dancing, girded me with joy" and gladness and sees my dancing as worshipful gratitude.

MercyMe has a "Happy Dance" praise song! My "Happy Dance" contemporary worship praise song is Sydney Carter's "Lord of the Dance" with the melody of Simple Gifts.

A Happy Dance as K-Love dubs it!

WORLD POETRY DAY

World Poetry Day is always celebrated on March 21.

Yesterday I celebrated it with friends in the creative writing group at McWherter Senior Center in the Sea Isle area as they shared their own haikus, free verse and one with a rhyming scheme, "Vanishing" which  aging folks could easily understand.

What a treat!

I have been camping out this week in Psalms, one of the poetic books of Scripture, as I've been praying for grandson, Nathan, on a mission trip to Panama. (Psalm 9:10-11)

Psalms is one of five poetic books in the Bible along with Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. These books are sometimes referred to as mankind reaching out toward God. Maybe that's why I turn to them so often, especially Psalms.

World Poetry Day 3/21, a way for me to celebrate both poetry readings and God's Word. A great two-fer!

FLABBY FAITH!

I don't want to be flabby in any way---certainly not in my faith. 

I desire to be an overcomer in today's world. More than a conquerer.

How does one leave "flabby faith" (Sowing a Seed Episode 28, Jim Fleming) in the rear view and press on to become a conqueror? 

According to Fleming, we need to continually practice Luke 21:36:

• be alert at all times; 
• keep praying for strength; 
• stand firm before the Son of Man. 

Rise up in His strength to escape what's to come.

Flabby Faith is too weak to win the battle on one's own.

SPRINGTIME IS HERE!

LENTEN ROSES. Bowing their heads at 4:24 CST to welcome spring!

Maybe we should all bow our heads in worship for the Creator. 

He changes time and seasons. (Daniel 2:21, ESV)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV)

Springtime is one of my favorite.

GRACIOUS ME!

Gracious Me!

Goodness Gracious!! 

Gracious Sakes...or gracious sakes alive!

All phrases I heard while growing up in western Kentucky. 

Such phrases were indicative of surprise. "Where has the day gone."

These days I find myself saying those same phrases I heard, especially from my grandmother, Mama Davenport. Often I add "Oh my" to the list. It's surprise with a bit of negativity laced with disappointment. Think, guilt.

Oh my, I can't keep up with ANYTHING. OK, that's an exaggeration but.....iPhone, Laptop, books, white out, things I use often and need to keep up with around the house.

Oh my, notes, are all over the house except the one I need.

Oh my, these days it takes me longer to do less.

Oh my, guilt hangs in my closet far too easy for me to reach & put on. (I know this because a sweet friend in the faith admonished me, in love of this very act,) 

How grateful I am that God's word says, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Gracious me.....how grateful I am for that reminder! I'm pouring my cuppa guilt-TEA down the drain.

IMPORTANT EXERCISE

Exercise is important! 

Exercise can be difficult to incorporate into one's daily schedule.

Exercise with another can be an encouragement.

Exercising with another, aka fellowship, is essential for growth, from physical to spiritual! 

Fellowship, sharing time in God's word laced with prayer and physically coming alongside others in their struggles of life is an important earthly exercise with an eternal result. (Acts 2:42, 44)