Exciting News

6/25/09
Off-line for the next 10 days to 2 weeks---and for great reasons---family and friends.
Headin’ to Ky to visit my dad and brothers and attend my class reunion----Hoptown High Class of ’64. (you do the math.)
For those who aren’t signed up on my son Josh’s site, here’s the rest of the story.

As most of you know, my cancer is so rare that there are only 300 (documented in a study) -500 cases (assumed) in the world. I only know of one other----Michèle P. from Germany, whom my daughter found after lots of internet searching. Needless to say, this beautiful young woman has been an incredible encourager and support to me. She's absolutely delightful and it has been my dream to get to meet her, this side of heaven. We both joked that sharing a banana spit at Serendipity's in NYC would be nice but...........well, next week on June 30, we get to meet!! I just had to share the news and my excitement. It might not be in NYC but in Kentucky, my home state, instead. How 'bout that?! Wonder if quirky Lynn's Paradise Cafe has banana splits?
Just had to share the great news!

Dancin' in the streets with joy, Dotsy.

Not sure when we’ll return---sort of “flying by the seat of our pants” but I’ll be doing a little note taking on Phillip Keller’s, A Gardener’s Look at the Fruits of the Spirit, (1979) while we visit. Larry, who proofs my blogs, thought I was getting a little didactic in my entries so I was thinking I was “all done” with fruit of the Spirit. But God……….as God would have it, I came across that book today as I was clearing more attic clutter---it has to be a God thing---first of all that I’m motivated to clean out the attic and also that I would even attempt it in this heat. So, I’m packing the book and prayers for each of you and hitting the road. Bye-Bye.

Fruit Facts

6/24/09 Today I’m more comfortable with the “facts” label because I consulted Dr. Constable notes on the Galatians 5:22-23 passage.

He states, “Fruit is singular be cause it suggests the unified Christ-like character that the Holy spirit produces.” Constable also divides these qualities:

Mental or God-ward qualities (v.22)
Love (Gr. agape, self-sacrificing affection for others)
Joy (Gr. chara, deep-seated gladness regardless of circumstances
Peace (Gr. eirene, inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances

Interpersonal or other-ward qualities (v.22)
Patience (Gr. makrothymia, forbearance even under provocation)
Kindness (Gr. chrestotes, benvolence and graciousness)
Goodness (Gr. agathosyne, constructive action reaching out to others

General or self-ward qualities (v.22-23)
Faithfulness (Gr. pistis, reliability, trustworthiness)
Gentleness (Gr. praytes, acquiescence to authority and consideration of others)
Self-control (Gr. enkrateria, ability to master oneself

I just included the Greek meanings so that we’re all on the same page with these behaviors as Paul was defining them.

All this to say what??? None of this means a hoot unless these words take life as you read them. Our own “want to” behave this way is not enough. Trust me, I really want to practice kindness---but as Scripture says, the very thing I want to do, I don’t do and that which I don’t want to do, I find myself doing. (a very loose paraphrase of Romans 15:15-17) At least I still have the “want to” mentality. I just need to be continually undergirded with God’s grace---remembering that under grace there is no bondage. Our walk is not just following the law or moral correctness but it is a manifestation of all that we possess because of Him and who He is. He motivates us to do what we know is right (that’s the “want to”) and then He provides the power to do it as we walk in the Spirit.

If reading those definitions reminded you of what is right and you now have the “want to” for any one or all of those behaviors, then it was worth the time it took me to find the info and type it up. Now it’s your turn----you just have to ask the Lord for the power---maybe you should be on your knees when you do it, that way you’ll be looking up and the focus will clearly be on Him and not yourself.

"Fruit Findings"

6/23/09 Further Fruit Facts
Not sure facts is the appropriate title here---just more THOTS from me. I’m still musing and chewing on those 9 qualities (behaviors) of the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy. peace patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Oops when I typed this list from memory, I had left one out----gentleness. Wonder what that means? It probably means that when folks think of me, gentleness doesn’t just pop into their minds ‘cause it sure didn’t pop into mine.

Journal jottings: Verses that precede the “good” list cite the behaviors exhibited when controlled by our flesh/self---some sound horrific (sexual immorality, idolatry, and witchcraft} but there are some subtle ones that are just as sinful. (jealousy, outbursts of anger, and envy) These are all acts of our old sin nature.
Verses that follow the “good” list say that those who belong to Christ have put to death the sinful nature and now live by the Spirit. So it is His work/grace. I need to trust Him to continue building these qualities in my life so that my “walk” manifests His selfless outgoing love for all to see. May others taste and see my fruit that comes in 9 different flavors. Right now my fruit bowl must be lacking in gentleness so I’ll trust Him to stir in a little more and then sprinkle on an extra measure of kindness and continue to blend it all together with His love. Can’t do it without Him!

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)

…..let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25b)

Quality Fruit

6/22/09 Happy Birthday, Buddy. Prayed Proverbs 22 for you today---but you probably already knew that.

A few days ago I gave my opinion on the importance quality words (books) being read as a way of avoiding “garbage thoughts.” Today while clearing clutter, I picked up a note pad labeled. “Brent’s Blurbs,” which included some THOTS from 1990. “Everything that goes through your mind leaves a trace” was written at the top of the list.

Since today is Monday and scriptural meditation puts quality traces in our minds, here’s one we can ponder.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Remember to read it in context especially with verses before and after.

My THOTS---Can’t “conjure” up these qualities on my own!!! What’s the goal?
Being spiritual---can’t be that---it would be all about me---
What’s grace got to do with it? EVERYTHING!
No law---v. 18 if led by Spirit, not under law.
Are these qualities outward or inward or both? Peace=inward---patience and kindness=outward, faithfulness, hm-m-m-m.
Would folks who know me well see any of these in me? Where would my family say I need the most “help” ? (Patience) Where would I like others to taste and see the Lord’s goodness in my actions---probably kindness, ‘cause it just doesn’t seem to flow from me like it does from others.

My THOTS. What are yours?

Reading Matters

6/19/09 Matters of Reading
In the world of language arts education, the principle for beginning readers is “it doesn’t matter what they read, it just matters that they read.” I know fully the importance of reading and using what interests a young person is one way to “nudge” them along in the pursuit of books. Even comic books? Depends on the content of the comic book. Of course, today there is the genre of graphic novel to offer visual literature for struggling readers who prefer more pictures and fewer words---think of magazines. But what one reads does matter. “Garbage in, garbage out” holds true in all words especially words from music and reading---preachy, aren’t I?
Two other tenets that I espouse in the area of what matters in reading are:

1. The more you read, the more you know when you read.
2. Without comprehension, there is no reading.

Forgive the educational pedagogy---it’s the only way I know how to make my point. Basically, these beliefs hold true for me because I have experienced them in both personal and spiritual readings, whether reading a novel or the Bible. If a writer makes a reference to a boat name Zephyr, I figure it is easily moved by the wind because of a recollection (though vague) of a Greek myth. When reading in Hebrews about Abraham, I have more understanding if I have read the Genesis account. You get the idea.
With reference to comprehension being the key ingredient to reading, I think about myself trying to read through the legalese of documents or the “how to” of a tech manual---I can call the words but there is no understanding, thus no reading. Again, you get my drift, I’m sure.
How about with Bible study? Last Sunday, our pastor, Cole, preached on II Timothy 3:14-17 with emphasis on verses 16 & 17.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
How does one begin to understand Scripture/God’s Word? You begin by keeping that Bible open. “Keep an open Bible and you keep yourself open to God. (Huffman) This keeps you reading and the more you read……………the more you will understand His wisdom, His way, His will and then you will understand how to be more useful for His purposes. If one truly wants to be adequate/competent/thoroughly equipped for every good work then comprehension is necessary—otherwise it’s just like world calling---you might be able to say all the right things but you don’t really understand it or how it applies to your life.
The April 17 entry in Streams in the Desert calls the Bible the “Wise Old Book.” I think we’d be wise to keep it open and keep reading it asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding Truth.

Ordinary Day

6/18/09 Ordinary Things
Today I went to the dentist and I ironed pillow cases---just ordinary things to do. Well actually for me, ironing is more extraordinary than ordinary---I rarely iron. Embarrassingly enough, daughter Molly missed an “obvious” picture on her pre-school vocabulary test because she couldn’t identify an ironing board. I guess you have to actually see one in use to know what it is and probably all she had seen was me using the edge of the bed for ironing before I ran out the door. Otherwise, Elnora ironed on Thursdays and that was Molly’s CBS nursery day, so she never saw an expert ironer at work either---one who actually uses a board.

Though ironing is not my forte I do love freshly ironed linens. I grew up with freshly ironed everything, especially the linen napkins and pillow slips as my mother called them. In fact my brothers and I teased Mother that she ironed Daddy’s underwear--- she probably did. In later years when Dorothy came to help with the ironing, Mother usually ended up re-doing it just to make sure the creases were right. For me, I’m not that particular. Ironing can be a chore but it can also be mindless and that can be a good thing. These past few months I’ve missed mindless and ordinary---to me there can be great comfort in ordinary things. Today I’m real thankful for a “routine” day.

Oswald Chambers says that even the common stuff of ordinary life should exhibit the marvel of the grace of God. This common stuff he describes as times (of) no thrill…just the daily round, the common task. “Routine is God’s way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling moments, but learn to live in the domain of the drudgery by the power of God.”

Maybe it’s because this week I’ve been meditating on, “in everything give thanks,” that I am actually enjoying this unremarkable, run of the mill, kind of ordinary day. No doldrums, just rejoicing in these mundane moments. Routine is rare in the Liles household so I’m cherishing every dull minute. This weekend when Mommar (a grieving widow) comes to stay for 3 nights (probably under some duress) circumstances will change once more---but God…by His power can help us all rejoice during this new but hard season of life. Obedience in honoring our parents is one of the Ten Commandments. Each tiny step one takes toward obedience is honored by God. God engineers all circumstances so that all things work together for good. His grace is there and one can be empowered by His strength for every task whether ordinary or difficult.

Rejoicing as this ordinary day ends and joyfully expectant of an extra measure of God’s grace for the not so ordinary weekend ahead!

Bibliophile Buddies

6/17/09
For an avid reader and lover of books, there are no better folks to know than other bibliophiles or bookworms, especially if they can nose out a good book for you because they know what you’ll like or appreciate, even if it stretches you a bit. I have two such women in my life, Marge H. in Franklin, North Carolina (who has a reading room at the library there named in her honor) and Marie J. in Franklin, TN., who was recently honored for 7 decades of service by her public library. Their combined years give me 150+ years of reading experience to rely on. Every time I “unwrap” one of their finds----my word for checking out the table of contents or the first chapter of the recommended books, I am grateful for knowing women who share with me those gems that I might never find, apart from them. You see, there are LOTS of books published each year and I barely have time to read the reviews---so, they do it for me. “So Many Books, So Little Time” is the perfect adage for a working woman, especially a research & reference librarian----my stacks/shelves are not exactly bedtime reading. Plus, there are so many books not worth my time.

Visiting Marie recently with friends at her big, beautiful old home on Murfreesboro Road, I had a garden tour, yummy puddin’ cake and great book talks. She also shared a trove of books with me as a way of continuing to encourage me. One was a novel written in 1951---a delightful read about a Baptist preacher. It almost reads like historical fiction now though one of the paragraphs about the problems the church faced sounded like 2009. “The real problems here…..how to practice charity in a world of greed. How to turn the cheek in a world of war. And how to love a neighbor when your impulse is to slap him down.” I also noticed Book Club Edition stamped in red on the inside of the jacket. I imagine that she, like I and many other readers, once belonged to the Doubleday Book-of-the-Month Club. Remember the magazine ads where for only 99¢ you could choose 4 or 5 books and then only had to purchase four more during the year?

Another book she shared was a book of quotes. I love it because it has her underlines and margin notes that are such treasures. Allow me to share of few of the “nuggets” with you.
“A friend is a sanctuary. A friend is a smile. …..A friend is a hand that is always holding yours….no matter how close or far apart you may be..…A friend is a feeling of forever in your heart.“ (Pagels)

By this one MJ had jotted, “great.”

Won’t you come into my garden?
I would like my roses to see you. (Sheridan)

Sadly, I had to postpone a June visit to the mountains to see my other bookworm buddy. I long for the next visit to see her and have her share new titles with me. She’s the one who encouraged me to read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress----we both were drawn to the cover. At her home we sit by the fire or at the table long after the plates have been cleared and we talk---about real things---and books, of course. Sometimes her husband, a retired Methodist pastor reads aloud to us—be still my heart!

These ladies are my spiritual sisters with literary leanings----how special is that!!!!!!!!!! How grateful I am!

I have called you friends. (John 15:15)

Attitude of Gratitude

6/16/09 Attitude of Gratitude vs. Entitlement
Life is a gift and what we do with it is our gift back to God. Our experiences in this game of life can have meaning, can impact others for good, or can be self-serving in an “all about me” kind of way. Folks who are rich toward God might not necessarily be rich in the world’s way, with all the right toys, but they are usually generous to a fault. I have been the recipient of the generous hearts of God’s people and those are the folks I want to emulate.

I think those generous ones have hearts full to overflowing with gratitude. I also think it is that gratitude that keeps envy, dissatisfaction, whining and complaining at bay. A thankful heart keeps us from taking what we have for granted and stops us from always wanting just a little (yea, right) bit more! That’s an illusion---thinking gratitude will come as soon as the stuff desired is a part of life.

Our society teaches us that we are “entitled” to a big home, a vacation with the family and even good health or at least adequate insurance. So what happens if some of those “things” are missing. Misery? Bitterness? Self-pity? Certainly self-preoccupation can imprison us with those chains of anger and resentment, that entangle us when our expectations are not met. What if the life your living right now is as good as it’s gonna get this side of heaven? What if it gets worse? Can you find blessing and gratitude in the struggle? You can if your life “counts” for other people.

As I’ve mentioned before, one of our family pastimes is playing all kinds of games together, including board games. We have boxes of those and look forward to new ones each year while cherishing old favorites. But regardless of the game, when it’s over it all goes back in the box. I remembered that from J. Ortberg’s book, When the Game is Over.

As I searched this book out, I was taken with the synopsis on the book jacket---a very sobering reminder—a time will come when the game of life comes to an end. Then what?

• No more game cubes or cards.

• No more tokens.

• No more promotions, financial planning, vacation homes or big toys.

• Game over.

If your life has been filled with the love of the Lord and has overflowed with gratitude and thanksgiving to Him and others, you will have been “rich” and your eternal reward will be great. People matter. A relationship with the Lord matters. As Ortberg says, fill every square on the game board of life with what matters most and be thankful. What ever we do for God and others does not go back in the box---it lasts throughout eternity.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Luke 10:27)

WITHOUT COMPLAINT..........

6/15/09 Without Complaint
That’s just another way of saying, “no whining” or no pity parties. It’s a choice---an attitude of gratitude. That phrase encapsulates Larry’s mother----our Mommar. Year after year I have watched her endure what ever comes her way without raising her voice or allowing negative words to flow forth. We all loved Grandaddy, Robert Thomas Liles, and he will be sorely missed but he was a corker---Mommar was the “saint without complaint.”
I wish that could be said about me. How ‘bout you? Will others see you as one who counted your blessings or as one who not only wallowed in self-pity and suffering but also gave a complete account of all the misery?
For three days I was hacking, sneezing, dripping mucus uncontrollably----because I couldn’t feel it coming out of my new nostril----my throat was raw, my body ached with fever, I was too tired to read and too miserable to sleep. See how easily I can blather and drivel about my own misery. FINALLY, I began to thank God that this was a cold, it wasn’t cancer. I could breathe through my mouth this time and that’s a big praise. Then, I was so grateful for the timing of this infirmity---after the surgeries, after hospital visits, after Grandaddy’s final days.
I have so much to be thankful for and so do you. Gratitude is seeing life as a gift.
Today’s meditation is from I Thessalonians 5:16-18. I was only going to include verse 18 and then I saw how they all tie together. In order to rejoice, there’s going to have to be some focused prayer and gratitude. Prayer holds the two together---with prayer we can be thankful, when we’re thankful we can praise easily and that increases our prayers which results in an overflowing of joy. That’s the way I see it. Let me know what you see….because tomorrow I’m going to start meddlin’ about having a grateful spirit.

• v. 16 Rejoice always;

• v. 17 Pray without ceasing;

• v. 18 In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

No Whining

6/13/09
2nd day of ailing---sick as a dog—body must have just worn out--typing in a drug-induced stupor-- today’s “My Utmost” entry said, “no whine” so I’m going to bed—actually that’s where I’ve been all day. Maybe tomorrow I can give you beaucoup medical facts that don’t sound like whining--

Who is 2? What heritage do we give him?

6/12/09 Heritage Builders
Happy Birthday, Owen!! “2”
Storm brewing---Channel 3 says could be a repeat of '03 Hurricane Elvis---more later---getting off-line.

EE--emotional exhaustion

6/10/09 Emotional Depletion
What is it? How do you handle it today? How can you recover?
These questions came to mind today as early this morning we put Josh and his fiancé, Megan, on a United Airways plane for NYC and then loaded all six Texans in the big Suburban to return to their home in Allen. At 8:30 a.m. we were spent---I guess that is emotional depletion. How did we handle it? We started with a 2-hour nap.
How will we ever recover---with all that lies ahead with Mommar’s care as well as handling financial affairs that require close following a death. Today’s “Jesus Calling” entry said, “Rest in Me…Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually.” Well there’s the answer. That little devotional book continues to have the BIG answers for right where I am in life.
So…………more prayer it is---and I feel a second nap coming on.

Robert Thomas Liles

6/6/09

Robert Thomas Liles
“Grandaddy”
November 6, 1926 – June 6, 2009

Husband of Mary Black Liles---they would have celebrated 65 years July 21.

Father of Robert T. Liles, Jr “Bobby” (Carolyn)
Grandaddy of Robby, Cody, René (Terry), Brent (Amber)
Great grandfather of Nate, Addy and Caleb

Father of Lawrence E. Liles “Larry” (Dotsy)
Grandaddy of Buddy, (Day) Josh, Molly Kennedy (Corey)
Great grandfather of Nathan, Noah, Caleb, John Parker and Owen

Father of Susan Liles McCullough (Bobby)
Grandaddy of Ashley Davis (Eddie) and Brandon
Great grandfather of Olive

Father of William Edward Liles “Bill”

Son of the late Jack and Anna (Douglas) Liles
Brother of Jack D. Liles (Doris Ann) and Mary Ann Thompson

• Hard worker at Tri-State Armature and Electric for 45 years
• World War II veteran
• A self-proclaimed “Crankshaft”
• Dubbed “tough old bird” by his doctors---and he’s had lots
• Adored by the nurses on the 5th floor at St. Francis Hospital and the 3rd floor ICU crew
• The lollipop man at both Highland Heights Presbyterian and Cordova Presbyterian
• Electrician, woodworker, and builder of Pickwick cabin and Christmas displays
• Purveyor of everything from junk to antiques found at flea markets and garage sales

So loved by so many-----now at rest in the arms of his Lord and humming, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

GRACE MEDS

6/1/09 Grace Meds----medicine for the soul
Here’s my meditation verses on grace--- verses 11 & 12 from chapter 2 of Titus. In context, I like the next verse that reminds me that I am to live this way as I am awaiting the "blessed hope."

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

“‘Tis grace hath brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home.”