LEAN IN!

When life's pace is getting on your last nerve, lean in to the "everlasting arms." At least let that tune fill your mind. 

If that doesn't work maybe the Lord will send you to a friends home to be reminded, by a pillow no less, as you lean back into the comfort of a pillow with  Psalm 46:10 on your mind.

MATURITY!

Mature? Immature?

Physical---look to check growth attributes.

Emotional---look and listen.

Spiritual---compare words with actions.

Didn't think I was too immature until I got to the end of Tyson's list.

Reminder still needed to please God, not man. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

He sees beyond our actions into the motives of our hearts.

We "see" it in our own lives if despair/depression keeps knocking at the door of our mind.

If we compare, we despair. It's up to us to transfer our minds to embrace God's good, pleasing and perfect, will/purpose for our lives.

Paul David Tripp sums it up well. "There is nothing for which we can take credit. All praise, honor, worship, and service go to God and God alone. He sought us. He birthed us. He sustains us. He matures us." (New Morning Mercies, September 24)

That's what maturity looks like......from the inside out! 

RABBIT HOLES!

I live in "rabbit holes"............or at least, I'm a frequent visitor.

Positive or negative experiences---both are distractions for me. The last  week, matters seem to have gotten worse after a great relaxing 4 days with family.

Focus seemed "ungraspable." 

DISTRACTION in all caps!

CONFUSION clatters.

THOUGHTS scatter.

May these distractions from the world not keep me from hearing the voice of God!

I need soul shepherding. God's word says He will "counsel me with His loving eye on me." (Psalm 32:8) Maybe this time, I need to spend less time seeking additional clarity and lean in and trust Him on what I already know.

He is my God. He will always be with me. He loves me even when I am distractible.

 

Today, may I take one faith step at a time and watch out for rabbit holes of distraction.

IDIOSYNCRASY!

Idiosyncrasy could easily be a Word Of Week on any Wednesday for me. 

Wednesday PM is a note-taking time for H2H Bible Study. 

Peculiar. Unique. Maybe tending a little toward weird.

I write. When I write I vary colored pens with varying point sizes.

Pencils are necessary, especially for note-taking. NOT mechanical.

#2 lead. Ticonderoga comes to mind.

It's not so much the brand as the sharpness of the pencil. At least I don't have a Montblanc compulsion.

But God.....allows me my uniqueness. A note in my travel Bible reminded me. 

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil....it has no point."

Life is worth nothing without testifying to the good news of God's grace. (Acts 20:24) 

That my friends is my idiosyncrasy!

You can write it in pencil as long as the point is sharp!

MEDITATION MADE SIMPLE

Hear/ Read God's Word in the morning!

In the morning, bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 43:8)

Ponder!

SATURDAY SHORT!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.

(isaiah 40:8)

The Scripture cannot be broken. (John 10:35)

Nothing can annul God's eternal truth. (Knowing God, p.79)

Ponder this truth the rest of the weekend.

FRIDAY FUNNY NEEDED!

Life is full of ups and downs. Certainly I have been on an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks as I have mourned the death of two dear friends and been saddened by new diagnosis of others. Sad news can pull the rug out from under me even tho I know God is good.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us of all those contrasting ups and downs we go through----there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 1:1)---even times of laughter. Ecclesiastes !:4

A bit of "Ferrell Funny" that is "spot on" reality---

This funny has tears streaming from laughter which I greatly needed. 

PRAISE POSTURES!

How does one express praise to the Lord?

Is there more that one way?

Positionally? Stand up and praise the LORD your God? (Nehemiah 9:5)

With lifted hands? In your name, I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4) 

O, Clap your hands all people; (Psalm 47:1a)

With voice? Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 63:45)

Volume? Shout to God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 47:1b)

Singing or talking?  Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him. (Psalm 28:5, & 105:1)

In dance? Young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. (Jeremiah 31:13)

A cantate domino calls for praises from God's chosen people as they sing to the LORD a new song. (Psalm 98:1)

In combination?  Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrels and harp. (Psalm 149:3)

No matter your position of choice, continue to praise the LORD and bring glory to His name!

MEDITATIVE MEANDERINGS!

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof....(Psalm 24:1) 

See how the flowers of the field grow. (Matthew 6:28)

Carolina Snailseed found in Texas

Trumpet bush/Yellow Bells

Common Sunflower---to bright to be labeled common

Goldenrod--so familiar to Kentucky folks

Creation is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our/my eyes. (Psalm 118:23) 

🎶For the wonder of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale and tree and flower

sun and moon and stars of light. {Refrain}

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise,

this our hymn of grateful praise.🎶

Words of Scripture and lyrics from hymn, "For the Beauty of the Earth" have enhanced this meditative Monday.

SATURDAY SHORT!

Concise but Complete.

JESUS

Your only way to God

AR I-30W just before Exit 3.............in the middle of a field.

5 words say it all! (John 14:16)