N---again!

12/31/09 Though “N” sections in the dictionary and the phone book are relatively short compared to the other alphabetical offerings, I have to include another “N” here because it is NECESSARY. That’s it. As 2009 closes out tonight, I would be remiss if I did not remind myself (and you, dear reader) that Jesus is necessary. I have never seen that in my life the way I have this year. He has been absolutely essential and indispensable for the Liles this year as we have faced my (MAC) cancer and ensuing surgeries, Grandaddy’s numerous ICU stays followed by his funeral, Mommar’s increasing “dementia,” a miscarriage, and engagement.

A few years ago I taught Luke 10:38-42 passage both at First Evan and at Germantown Methodist and I came face to face with myself. You probably know the story of the two sisters who welcome Jesus to their home. Mary sits at His feet and listens and Martha. “distracted with all her preparations,” asks the Lord to tell Mary to help her. But God….the Lord tells her that she (Martha) is worried and bothered about too many things, when only one thing is necessary. Can you guess which sister had chosen the one good thing? It wasn’t Martha.

38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. 40But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.(Luke 10:38-42)

I have lived many years as a “Martha”---a “driven” doer, a caretaker and a goal setter. This past year I have had time, thanks to the cancer diagnosis, to be a Mary---a Mary in a Martha world. The world kept going as normal but it was necessary for me to take time out and spend time at the Lord’s feet. He was NECESSARY in my life.

He is still necessary. He is my life!

N is for Nigh

12/30/09 The Lord is as close as our “breath prayers.” He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) So why sometimes does it “feel” as if He’s distant??

A couple of days ago I wrote that I had trouble wrapping my brain around God’s love. After meditating on His love for me, I’ve decided that I can wrap my brain around it; it’s just my heart that has trouble. Sometimes it’s easier for me to figure scripture out theologically and to “spout” it than it is to move those truths a few inches southward to my heart and “feel” it as I live it out. Ever had that problem?

God is near---all the time. Billy Graham once said, one doesn’t feel the heat of the fire when one moves away from it even though the fire is still there." It’s the same in our relationship with the Lord. If we don’t feel the warmth from that relationship---guess who’s moved?

Want the warmth? Want to “feel” His presence? Get back into the Word! “But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that you mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14)
Start with Psalm 73---especially verses 25-28a.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

Extinguish your lights tonight with “Taps” knowing He is indeed nigh.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

M = MERCY ME---

12/29/09 ---or NOT.
 Mercy is definitely not one of my strong suits or spiritual gifts. But mercy is a STRONG enduring attribute of God---

---even Shakespeare recognized this when he wrote The Merchant of Venice. Portia’s begging of mercy from Shylock shows that when we extend mercy we are following God’s example.

• But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
• It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
• It is an attribute of God himself;
• And earthly power doth then show like God's
• When mercy seasons justice.

The bard gives the idea of an edict softened by compassion or circumstances tempered by the spirit of God. They represent justice seasoned with mercy. It’s like the five year-old who said, “I deserved a “whoopin’” but I got a hug.”

God is full of mercy. I’m so grateful that His mercy is unending…………my favorite hymn lyrics affirm this.

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.”

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)

MERCY ME---maybe I need to work on that in 2010!

L ……is for LOVE!

12/28/09 LOVE.....................

One of the hardest of all the attributes of God for me to wrap my brain around is love---unconditional love. I know of His sacrifice and I know scripture tells of the breadth and depth of His love but it’s still hard to comprehend, on a personal level, because I know me. I know that the one who writes this---a blog that sometimes inspire others---spent the day asking forgiveness for impure thoughts arising from impatience, unfulfilled expectations and anger. I wore myself out but I kept at it. Believe me, it was work! I thanked the Lord that He loved me, through the grace of His Son, but…….I didn’t “feel” that “love belief” in my core---it felt more like a mantra. I did repeat it over and over but did I believe it? I had to confess my unbelief. “ …I believe, Lord; help thou my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

The good news is that this unconditional love, which He offers, does not change whether I “feel” worthy of it or not. Even on days like today when my esteem is dragging, His love is constant.
No power on earth or heaven can separate us (even Me) from God's love. Not our (my) sin, not any authority, not any spiritual force. God's love is unshakable and can always be relied upon. That’s Romans 8:38-39 in a nutshell but………….the first 4 words say, “For I am convinced”-----

To convince myself of His love I plan to linger on this passage today----Romans 8:38-39

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

His love is there whether I “feel” worthy of it or not.alpha

K is for…………….

12/25/09....a King is born!…………..KING OF KINGS!

For unto you (and me) a king is born…….

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, ……….. (Zechariah 9:9)

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (1 Timothy 6:15)

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

May the King be crowned anew in our hearts and lives this Christmas Day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

J is for…………….Jehovah

12/24/09
J is for Jehovah-Rophe---The Lord our Healer ---He has been a healer for me in such a BIG way this year not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. First and foremost, in the eyes of others, the Lord has healed my infirmities in miraculous ways with a correct though rare diagnosis, involvement of Dr. Louis Carter visiting from mission field in Africa & teaming up with Dr. Burrus from Memphis to find a “team” for me, my “Dallas team” headed by the incomparable Dr. Richard Ha, and the rest of the story that has taken 240+ blog entries. Yet, before that healing would even begin the Lord began to deal with me spiritually and emotionally. Emotionally I had been “leveled many years before. Try as I might, I could not seem to let go of the hurt and embrace forgiveness---though I kept trying. I so needed to give up a bitterness and hurt that had held me bondage for 20+ years. Sometimes it would spew up like something about to boil over on the back burner. When it did, those nearest and dearest to me could get burned and the anger/resentment had absolutely nothing to do with them----But God……had me accept a church teaching assignment in October '08, because the date was convenient. Then I found out that the topic was, “ Forgiveness.” Because of the anguish of my heart and the fear and trembling that overtook me, I camped out in Psalm 55 and then Psalm 73 because “my heart was embittered and I was pierced within.” But it wasn’t until I came into the sanctuary of God….(v.17) with a broken and contrite heart that He restored completely the joy of my salvation and renewed a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51) Praise to my Jehovah-Rophe for healing me emotionally and spiritually so that 2 ½ months later I could face the physical trauma that lay ahead.

J is for Jehovah -Nissi---Yesterday, I realized that as He is my banner, and I become His banner as well when I name His name as part of my own, thus having Christian as my moniker.
J is for Jehovah-Jireh Christmas is as much about the cross as it is about the manger. According to Hebrew translations, Jehovah-jireh or Yahweh-yireh, can be rendered the LORD will provide", with "LORD" taking the place of…….He is my “substitutionary atonement” ( a Jim Fleming term) taking my sin upon Himself that I might be declared righteousness.

J is for Jehovah -M'Kaddesh---The “Lord who Sanctifies” and sanctifies and sanctifies---this is a continual process in my life and He is not “done” with me yet.
J is for Jehovah-–Shalom-- The Lord our Peace---Tonight is Christmas Eve and because of my Jehovah Shalom, I can “sleep in heavenly peace” knowing that my Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord who is there) is present.

I is for IDENTITY

12/23/09 Organ chords of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing’’ rang out as the choir began to process along the red carpet down the aisle toward the choir loft at the First United Methodist Church in Hopkinsville yesterday. All of this was so familiar to me. Except, there was no Mr. Scruggs, or Mr. Tilley or short lady on the front row with the “big” strawberry red hair now occupying that loft, just Marian Adams looking mostly the same, but now graying.

This church with its large stain glass window above said choir loft (in memory of J. Brownell) stating, “He is not here. He is Risen” is where I began to discover my identity.

I walked that same aisle toward the altar at age 13, during a revival---somewhat unusual for a Methodist church---against my mother’s protestations too, because “we” didn’t express our emotions in public like that. Methodist became my moniker. Oh I had so much to learn. So much grace and knowledge to acquire---still do. (I need to insert an emoticon here but I only know this one---☺---have never created my own.)

Remember, I come from a small town where names like Baby, Bugs, Cookie and Junebug given at a young age still mark the identity of these folks, some of whom are now in their eighth decade. But names/labels do say a lot about who we are.

During this time of year certain names of our Lord resonate throughout church services:
Infant---the babe born in the lowly manger stable.
Incarnate One---“incarnato” Latin for being or taking flesh. He came and dwelt among us that we might have abundant life. “Hail the incarnate deity.”
Identity---“I AM”--- is the personal name for the God of Israel and Judah as revealed to Moses in the Wilderness (Exodus 3:14) In John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was born, “I AM.”

• And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

This verse gives identity to Jesus because He reflects the identity of His Father.

May I find my identity in Him as well---called by God to reflect His Son.
Call me Christian!

HOPE

12/21/09 "Christ in you the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)
Hope within. (Psalm 39:7)
Blessed hope. (Titus 2:13) Living hope. (1 Peter 1:3) Eternal hope. (John 3:16)

Hope you have time to ponder these verses today!

Hope I soon have more WiFi access* to share the one who is THE true Hope.

*Got it with full access to scripture citations!

H is for.............Hand of God

12/19/09 Assignment: Look for it today in your life.
I certainly have seen the hand of God at every turn this year in my cancer journey.

G is for……………Gifts of Grace

12/14/09
Popeye, the comic strip character (which began 80 years ago) gave us lots of food for thought---mainly about spinach. But I also remember him saying, I “yam” what I “yam.” I could say that about myself and the connotation would be derogatory. “I yam what I yam”…..apart from God’s grace, what “I yam” is not a pretty picture. Today "I yam" tired, grumpy and "down." But God......continues to bestow grace on this undeserving old lady.

I learned years ago that grace is "unmerited favor" from God. This gift of grace is a description of the character of God---His gift to humanity. We just have to receive this beautiful gift all tied up with His love---open it up and use it. What a gift----and we can never use it up!

Theologian, J.I. Packer, describes grace this way, “New Testament grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves.”

Here’s a gift of “grace scriptures” for you today---open the scripture that appeals to your heart and use it in your life---that’s what meditation does. Open the Bible, accept the Word and use it for yourself and to bless others.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10 (THOT---the gift does, in fact, go on)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 (THOT---Grace always precedes peace in the salutations (I found 16) of the epistles ----God’s grace must be present in order to experience His real peace.)

Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. (Romans 5:14-16)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8)

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (I Corinthians 15:10)

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (John 1:16)

I hope you chose your gift of grace carefully and prayerfully and will continue to delight in it throughout the week.

G is for GIFT, indescribable

12/11/09 At a recent “Christmas Carol” production, a young boy sitting behind me, who seemed to enjoy kicking my seat, asked his Mommy, “Where are the presents from the ghost of Christmas Present?” His question was typical of the season’s mentality---not where is His Presence but where are my presents!

“On Dasher!” “On Dancer!” “On MasterCard!” “On Visa” was the intro to a Trinity Methodist Church (Denver, CO) sermon message on “Unplugging the Christmas Gift Monster.” So often we are so busy with the peripheries of the holiday that we lose sight of the One whom we celebrate. The One who gave us our greatest gift.

“The Father gave the Son. The Son gave the Spirit. The Spirit gives us life so we can give the Gift of love. And the Gift goes on. And the Gift goes on.”

Those words from Sandi Patti’s song resonate with the truth of Christmas. We have been given a gift. Now it’s our turn to pass it on. Love, His love, is a gift that keeps on giving.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,…(James 1:17)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

F is for Faithful Friend

12/9/09
In Shelby County Schools this month, the “Character Trait of the Month” is "Friendship.” The quote given to us in our Silver Bulletin this week was, “A friend is someone who sings your heart’s song back to you when you have forgotten the words.” (David Coppola P.H.D)

When I returned to work this week, I found friends like that everywhere I turned. They poked their heads in the library, stopped me in the hall, left notes and goodies and basically blessed me beyond measure.

When I was flagging in zeal, they lifted my spirits, especially the “lunch bunch.” Everyone should have a prototype of this HHS “lunch bunch.” We are a diverse group---in age, marital status, stature, interests, etc. We all love to eat so we talk about food (a lot)---- even though someone is always on a diet. Gender is the common denominator since Ben no longer has C lunch. Occasionally Mr. Suchman drops in so we really don’t discriminate. We’ve laughed together, cried together, prayed together, bashed men (only those deserving bashing) together and just enjoyed each other's company.

The entire HHS “bunch” has been with me this year through thick and thin---surrounding me with listening ears, open hearts and open hands. They’ve fed me and my family too many times to list, joined the HHS café with receptions and tea parties to brighten my day and sent me off to Dallas with a friendship quilt, books, pictures, cards, tea cups, tea pots and enough tea (when brewed correctly) to float a battleship.

But I have also known other friends who, in their human frailty, have found it hard to be faithful to a relationship when it no longer suits their needs. I know how devastating that kind of betrayal can be. Conversations with other women have affirmed that. It’s even worse if it comes from someone within the community of faith.

Scripture alludes to this in Psalm 55 when David cries out to the Lord in the anguish of his heart saying that he could bear it if the one who had brought this reproach against him had been an enemy but it wasn’t………………..

13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

So who is a true friend who walks in when the world walks out? Who is always there for you regardless? Who is it that pleads on your behalf before a holy God? Who is this One who is Faithful and True (Revelation 3:14) and calls us friend? (John 15:14-15) Jesus.

What a friend we have in Him!!!

E is for Emmanuel

12/7/09 As we approach the Christmas season that “E” word probably seems like a given---but I didn’t think of it. But God…I sat down to write this blog not having a clue of an “E” word---one that rang clear. I had some alpha bits floating in my head---eternal came to mind but not much else.

Then, I remembered a book that had the names of Jesus in it and I even remembered where it was. GLORY! At the Name of Jesus was on the bottom shelf of the lawyers’ chest in the living room. On the flyleaf I had written: From Allan and Carolyn Bowden on my 40th birthday. This “little” book has ministered to me over the years but especially that year, 1986-87. The underlines and the marginalia are reminders of His very real Presence in my life as I was struggling with two very necessary losses in my life. Naïveté and unreal expectations----those things one often has to give up in order to grow up. Also in the book was a cross-stitched “Dotsy” bookmark given to me by my former Longreen neighbor, Cheryl Mc.--it was stitched by her mother, Nancy G. It too was a reminder of God’s Presence in both our lives during another difficult season.

He was and is my Emmanuel---God with me in all my seasons.

“Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Em-manu-el, which being interpreted is God with us." (Matthew 1:23, KJV)

Ponder that.

Mindless in the Mountains

12/4/09 Is it the altitude? Is it age? Is it MAC muddled mind? Why can I not hold on to thoughts? My mind is like….. a sieve? ……a piece of diaphanous fabric. Words flutter in but don’t stay long enough for me to weave them into a coherent thought---much less express it. Having a conversation with me can be a labor of love. Is that why so many are turning away or just tuning me out?

What attribute of God do I need to focus on for help in this area. I don’t care if it starts with Z, I’ll jump right to it---forget my obsession with ABC order. How else do I stop these whirlpools of words that I can’t quite qrip tightly enough or hold long enough in my grasp in order to have a complete thought?

Yesterday’s Jesus Calling’s first sentence caught my attention. “Do not be surprised by the fiery attacks on your mind…………Don’t let discouragement set in……call upon My name……My name, properly used, has unlimited Power.” Wow!

Another “D” word---He is my Defender---my only defense in the battle for my mind

Dippin' Dots (Dots, Nancy Rouse’s nickname for me, is dipping back into the “D” word bank

12/3/09

D is for DELIGHT He is my delight!

“Delight thyself also in the Lord and He will give thee the desires of thy heart.” (Psalm 37:4---Dotsy’s memory version)

Years ago (1978-79) when I was teaching her son Nathan, Carolyn Hughes cross-stitched that verse for me. It was really an answer to prayer because I was struggling trying to memorize scripture and “Voilà !” ---a gift of scripture. This visible reminder did the trick.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that the more I delighted in Him, the more He would change the desires of my heart. Now my heart’s desire is for my life to be so aligned with His---that my delights would be in sync with His delights.

D is for…………

12/2/09…………….DANCING PARTNER! You probably already knew that, but I didn’t. It was revealed to me in the middle of the night. Of course, it has to be that characteristic. It’s the way I‘ve known Him best this year.

The term doesn’t exactly resonate with spirituality but it clearly expresses the year I’ve had in His presence. It’s been a way to celebrate life when it seemed so tenuous. The beauty of dancing with Him is that’s it’s a forever dance and it just gets better---I hope to keep dancing.......as the "gift" sign above our fireplace reminds me.

Last week Larry and I watched a “Dancing with the Stars” recap. What a difference from those first weeks. As the dancers began to know and trust their partners they seem to meld. It took lots of daily contact and hard work. At the end, the top 4 partners (even those who stumbled miserably at first) showed that all that time together, even enduring pain during the practices, paid off---it was as if they were one. Is that the way it is for you? Are you one with Him? Is your time on earth a dance rehearsal for that eternal dance with Him?

It’s not too late to learn. Just turn toward Him. Step out there and take His extended hand. He’ll hold you in His embrace and be with you through those spins and dips and turns that life sends your way. You might get dizzy, or stumble a little but He won’t let you "fall headlong"---and that’s scriptural. (Psalm 37:24)

Each person’s dance is different. Looks different. Feels different. Tempo is different. Steps vary from easy to complex. As in life, we are all at varying levels of knowing Him. But all of our dances have one thing in common---a celebration of life in Him! Let Him whisper in your ear as you dance.

This weekend I hope to be dancing on the mountaintops with Him. How about you? Are you dancing with the Lord?

It’s never too late to begin your dance with God.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;…….and girded me with gladness. (Psalm 30:11)

........I hope you Dance!!!

Counseling Comforter

12/1/09 I like comfort----extraneous comfort is something I DO enjoy!! That’s why I have a stack of squishy down pillows and piles of sheets, light-weight blankets, comforters and coverlets all on the bed at once with my HHS “signed “friendship” quilt (gift) across the foot. At the foot of each bed in the house I have “nap blankies” to pull up and add to my resting comfort depending on where I am when I “hit the wall” each day--- Hoptown chum’s, cross quilt (gift) on the “mud” bed (a Liles term for Tempur-Pedic mattress) my grandmother’s quilt in the guest/Mommar’s room, and my teacups afgan (gift) on the window seat in the computer room. It’s also why I have a BIG prayer chair with wide enough arms to hold my morning “cuppa” and my “gift” prayer shawls. Plus, my closet houses more comfy clothes with pockets and adjustable/expandable waists than “decent” clothes and certainly more than formal attire.

Since MAC (my rare cancer), I have had folks from everywhere ministering to me and offering LOTS of extraneous comfort. I’ve probably brought some “sunshine funds” to the brink of bankruptcy and depleted pantries all over the Mid-South while overusing all my prayer warriors. But God…....He doesn’t go bankrupt, get depleted or overused. I know that. He has been my counselor extraordinaire since diagnosis day, January 13. He knew what was down the road for me. Because He understood my future He was the One who could direct my path. I didn’t have a clue---and neither did most of the medical world---but He did. And that was great comfort to me. As I walked the path set before me, He offered comfort through so many of His children.

Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (II Corinthians 3-4)

He Himself was my Comforter…..and still is.

BREAD OF LIFE

11/30/09 Bread, bread, everywhere bread---at least at our house last week. Everything from hot dog buns and Orowheat round bread (HHS lunch bunch’s favorite find) to cornlight bread, Molly’s wonderful homemade rolls and Mary B.s Tea Biscuits (from Kroger, but the closest I can find to Mother’s “Gigi Biscuits”---her homemade ones, using only Sunflower flour milled in Hoptown.) Five different varieties of sandwich breads were also on hand to allow choice/favorites for lunch and toast for breakfast. Now there’s barely a crumb left.

Isaiah 55:2 says, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

From biblical times to the 21st Century, “bread” has been necessary for sustenance. “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

As we spend time each day with our “Bread of Life” we can eat His Word and be satisfied. Then we are ready to “feed” others---to be broken bread and poured out wine for their nourishment and benefit. Did I feed my children and grandchildren more than bread wrapped in cellophane this past week? Will they remember talking about Thanksgiving being a time to thank God ? Do they know that their Shug feeds on the Bread of Life? Ask yourself those questions.

Here’s some food for thought. Feed on it. Then go forth and be broken bread and poured out wine for someone else.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.” “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

***PS Tears are streaming……………Last night, just as I had finished this blog draft, Noah, who is almost 6, called to tell us that he had asked Jesus in to his heart. He said he whispered it so that he wouldn’t wake Nathan and then he went in to tell his Mommy and Daddy. He was so excited! He too will feed on the Bread of Life. I know no greater joy than this.

Bestower of Blessings

11/23 What a week this should be for focusing on blessings---both the ones received and the One who bestows them. I can think of no better meditation for this period of Thanksgiving than the 100th Psalm.

Psalm 100 (KJV)

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

As my family gathers here this week to cook and care for me in a special way, I want to have time with them. (So I won’t be on-line for awhile.) Together I hope we will focus on our year (& my MAC year) that has been one BIG blessing. Thanks be to God.

ALPHA-BITS

11/22/09 This ABC emphasis was giving me fits and I was only on "A." But God….had my Batesville bud, Carolyn, e-mail me about a youngsters’ choir in Jackson, MS known as the Alpha-Bits. Ah-ha! That was it----I could recap all the A words that flooded my mind with just a little info, if some was pertinent, and still finish within a “reasonable” time frame. Plus, my readers, who really should be bloggers themselves, can offer input on those important words they might have included and give their reasons.

Disclaimer---I am somewhat of a nomenclator---I create my own terms---but blog readers already know that; i.e. decaDANCE, (misspelled according to grammarians but used by me to make a point) or Answerer (11/19 entry) as a way of personifying the noun. BTW, spell check doesn’t like nomenclator but I didn’t make that one up--- I’m sure it’s at least in an unabridged dictionary. Humor me. Maybe even share some of your own.

“Answerer” addition---Ann P., a student in one of the university classes that I taught in the 80s would write Jer. 33:3 at the top of each of her exam papers. Though I know it by memory now, I had to look it up at that time. “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” (KJV) I wrote “in red” on her paper that I hope she at least did her part by studying her notes rather than relying on these weekly “answer” miracles. She indeed knew the Answerer. She accepted my joke and we built on that spiritual connection. She actually was a good student and we have kept in touch via others for several years. She even honored me by “placing” a brick in my honor at the “main” city of Memphis library.
Awesome—alluded to in praise chorus of first “A” blog
All in All---You’re my strength when I am weak. You’re the treasure that I seek. You’re my “all in all.”(Thanks Sam & Lo for partial lyrics from this Point of Grace song.)
Ephesians 1:23…the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Alpha and Omega---omitted at this time because I’ll probably end with that one.
Anchor---The night before my first surgery my brother, whose daughter, Allyson, died in a car accident, called me to touch base and tearfully told me that he wished he had my faith. I reminded him that he did. He just had to hold on to it. It’s the only anchor that holds. I’ve never known pain like his but in the pain I have known, it’s been my faith that has anchored me. The "author and finisher" of that faith is Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)

All of us know pain---it’s universal, whether physical, mental, spiritual or emotional. But not everyone has an anchor.
Even in times of my deepest emotional pain the Lord anchored me. He was my hope when the world seemed dark as if the very windows of my soul were tinted with a blackness.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

Alpha Bits---sounds like a cereal that would be good for the soul if you considered one of the Lord's attributes each morning with your “cuppa” praise.

Aunt Ada

11/21/09 Not biblical but it does start with “A” and my great Aunt Ada was a positive influence in my life---a real part of my spiritual heritage. She accepted me as I was and I loved her dearly.

This “assigned” piece was one that I wrote when attending the Governor’s Writing Academy in 1992. I sat under the tutelage of Harvard’s, Dr. Richard Marius. What an experience! We were to write about something unique to us and naturally I started with A. Subsequent pieces were titles with “B” and “C”----but then you already guessed that, I’m sure.

I’m including this on the blog partly for my children and grandchildren. This true story was eventually published and I just came across a tattered copy. Not big time publishing but its appearance in the “Kentucky New Era” gave Mother bragging rights at “The Tuesday Club” (bridge) for an entire summer.

Avocado Summer

Richard Marius said it well, “thoughts come from associations.” Since I spend a great deal of time eating, many of my thoughts are naturally food-related. Take for example, an avocado, that pear-shaped fruit from California. In the 90’s, Angie Dickinson promoted them and promoted them well, but no one personally promoted them for me as effectively as my great Aunt Ada did the summer of 1954.

The days were long and the afternoons were especially hot that summer. My only respite would come on Tuesday afternoons when at the age of 7, almost 8, I would walk, unaccompanied, down the sidewalk past the Southalls, and across Alumni Avenue until I came to 2113 South Virginia Street.

As I reached the front porch, Aunt Ada would open wide the big, wooden screen door and in a gentle embrace remind me to be quiet so that I wouldn’t awaken Mr. Mabry who was napping in his chair. (He was Uncle Mabry to me but she always called him Mr. Mabry.) Following her through the house I would make my way to the kitchen.

There the two of us would begin the ritual of slicing a large, perfectly ripened avocado, removing the large wooden looking seed and exposing the soft, yellow pulp with the green edges. Each half would be placed on a fine bone china plate ringed with delicate pink flowers. These plates were then placed on the carrying tray that had been laid with a linen cloth. (Aunt Ada always “laid” linen and tea.) I would then be given the honor of drizzling our delicacies, ever so lightly, with oil.

When I finished my part of the ritual, Aunt Ada would remove her organdy apron and place a spoon---her Louisiana sterling ones---on each of our plates. We would then carry them to the back porch where both our iced water with a twist of lemon and a linen napkin with the drawn hemstitched border would be waiting on the small, round metal table. She would add our plates to that arrangement, straighten our stemmed crystal glasses and then we would both sit down on the big white painted glider.

After we were seated, she would pull the table up between us and most of the time would commence our little teatime extolling the virtues of the avocado---for the way it looked and tasted, for its vitamin content and for all the things it was going to do for my skin. Other than that, very little was said but much was felt. That summer I acquired a life long love of avocados.

Sweet story, nice ending. Right? Wrong! The FDA, the National Health Council, author of the T-factor diet as well as my own doctor have told me that “at my age” I have to cut back on my fat intake. Thirty grams of fat a day is the “max” they say. Well, that stinks! One avocado has thirty-two grams of fat.

Here it is summer and the only good thing that this Memphis heat does for me is conjure up those fond memories of Aunt Ada and her avocados---the ones drizzled with oil, no less. So, what is one to do? How does one resolve the dilemma without tarnishing a memory or getting fat? Do I allow visions of fat grams to negate the treasured recollections of those summer afternoons in Kentucky? Do I give up the memory of that time when eating an avocado on a back porch with a much loved great aunt had been such a pleasant thing to do?

Aunt Ada is probably “up there” smiling down on me saying, “Let her eat fat; it will make her skin glow.” So, as an act of rebellion against the “powers that be” and as a tribute to on little old lady’s love of avocados, I made Ellen's avocado dip using twelve avocados. I ate the whole thing! After all, Aunt Ada lived a slim and trim life for 89 years---feasting all the while on avocados. Even as they closed the coffin everyone still marveled at the glow of her skin.

Today as I recall that event, I’m grateful for a childless aunt who took me under her wing and always treated me like a young lady---what acceptance. Serving water to a 7 year-old in a crystal goblet. Imagine that! Her silver flatware was a gift from her Aunt Anna Barr, aka "Stockade Annie" & Uncle Mabry’s sister. The silver was a gift to Mrs. Barr as a welcoming gift from the congregation of the parish in Louisiana her young husband, John Barr, was called to pastor. That silver is now mine and I think I’ll get it out this week and treat my grand boys to a tea party---but we’ll use sippy cups instead of crystal---for a few more years, at least. I might even add some avocado because my skin is so dry and drawn from 4 surgeries that I could use a little oil. I could certainly use the "glow." Maybe I'll just rub it on my face!

Do you feel accepted in the beloved? Accepted by the brethren? Do you accept all of those God ordains to cross your path?

Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)

A is for ACCEPTANCE. He is our “Acceptor.” (bill of exchange)

ANSWERS………..

11/19/09…………….to your questions.
How are you feeling?
Today--the answer is tired.
After the 4th & last surgery—the answer was relief. (a favorite emotion of mine)
Why no more surgeries? Two more would be required to give just 10% improvement in the nose/mouth area. Larry and I didn’t even need time for that decision. Enough is enough. I’m in my 6th decade and being put to sleep can take it’s toll, not to mention lots of sick days. Eventually I would end up in sick bank and I think those days need to go to those in critical need.
What’s ahead?
This week—rest, appointment with Memphis doc and continuing hassle trying to schedule with infectious disease.
Next week—family comes for Thanksgiving to cook & care for me---YEA!!
Next year---??? I do hope to get new glasses---my eyesight has changed
Biggest surprise? Dr. Saporito saying he needed to Biopsy my new ”too suspicious” spot. MRSA diagnosis was a close 2nd—didn’t know what it was---still not sure of appropriate regimen for me because I can’t get in to see the doctor.
Biggest challenge? My MAC-muddled mind!
Biggest blessing? That prayers continued from around the world---BFA in Germany, Holland, France, India, Mexico, and all over the good ole USA---folks didn’t quit praying.
First soft food?---Mary Flo’s mashed potatoes
Biggest disappointment?—Still haven’t gotten to meet Kari S. from Park Cities Pres. who was instrumental in introducing us to the Ridleys. I’ll be forever grateful.
How do you really feel about your face? Grateful to have one that is pretty recognizable---though the crooked smile still takes some getting used to.
Life lesson learned? So many---I just need to remember them and not resort to “my” status quo of self-reliance, self- protection----just too much self in general.

The answer to all of life’s questions is God. We serve an awesome God.
Remember the praise chorus:

Our God is an awesome God.
He reigns from heaven above,
With wisdom, power and love.
Our God is an awesome God.

Cole’s summer sermon reminded me that “the Bible is not the answer book. The Bible introduces us to the ANSWERER!!”

A is for...... our ANSWERER!

Associations and Alphabetical Offerings

11/18/09 All the years that I was in the field of early childhood, I color coded everything, at work and at home----right down to laundry baskets, hangars and tooth brushes. I took some of that with me to the library and for years all receipts of book orders with barcode ranges were filed in a certain red notebook type folder. (Red = receipts w/ ranges.) When that red folder was no longer available and I had to use a green one, I still labeled the spine in bold red letters declaring it the “red folder.” I know you’re probably confused but it works for me. In a recent “Dearest Dorothy” book, her son couldn’t understand why her Christmas stuff was stored in a Del Monte cardboard box. “D” is for Del Monte and “d” is for decorations.” He groaned at her comment but it made perfect sense to me.

There’s just something about the orderliness of alphabetizing things that is intriguing. Being a librarian appeals to that part of me---it’s a semblance of control that I have in an otherwise cluttered life. Canned veggies are arranged from asparagus to zucchini on my pantry shelf. Catchall objects are stored in an old card catalog in my computer room in ABC order---even though sometimes those labeled drawers are empty, i.e. misplaced---not put back by folks who don’t know the importance of this ploy. Those 26 letters have become my association tactics. At this point in life, I need all the help I can get.

Awakening in the middle of the night, I often pray God’s attributes in alphabetical order----praising Him as Almighty, Bestower of Blessings, Creator, Defender, Eternal Elohim, Faithful Father, God of Goodness…..etc.

All this to say, I plan to focus these next several weeks on one word for each of the 26 letters in the alphabet. Actually, the idea has been “brewing” awhile as I’ve savored my morning “cuppa.” It just seems so orderly. Of course, I could start it tomorrow and then take off on an “A” rabbit trail. Who knows? It took me months to actually write about the qualities of the “fruit of the Spirit,” and there are only 9 of those. Hm-m-m--These are my plans, we’ll see how God directs my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

But everything should be done in a fitting (properly) and orderly way. (I Corinthians 14:40)

I definitely need to hang my hat here on this verse because this is a problem for me. Reading the preceding paragraphs might have given you a real misconception about my “decently and in order” life. It’s one of my biggest struggles---from sentimental clutter and “just in case clutter” to stacks of flagged books and pages of “blog bite” scribbles and “unanswered e-mails. Compound all of this with retrieval glitches in my MAC-muddled brain and a family and lots of deserving friends---and I’m not even back at work yet! YIKES!

I know I can't eat this “clutter elephant” in one bite but I’m going to work on it one bite at a time, starting with this blog.

A is for ___________???

Music Prompts

11/17/09
Without Music Life Would B♭---that’s what the t-shirt said in my latest “Wireless” catalog. Flat, indeed. It certainly rings true to me, even though I don’t stay “plugged in” like the teens at Houston High. I don’t even have my new iPod Touch (free) synced with my new iMac (not free) computer yet. Both are sources of frustration that could prompt me to tears.
I don’t always have music playing in the car or at home as many folks do. I do have my new "Tenors’ Christmas" CD playing now because this blog “prompted” me to put it in my iTunes. I also have it as loud as it will go because, in my opinion, opera should be played with VOLUME!

Music is a part of the life of the Lord, creator of all music. His delight in me can prompt Him to sing as well. According to Zephaniah 3:15 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Music often prompts tears for me. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is my favorite hymn and it always puts a knot in my throat and, more often than not, tears in my eyes. It was “my” song for seating as “mother of the bride”---so I had a special hanky handy. Special church services often include it as well, so I try to “gear up” but…….but if Peggy catches my eye from the choir loft and smiles, I “puddle.”
Music can prompt tears.

Church seems to turn over the Liles “tickle boxes,” as Daddy labeled my giggling fits of childhood, especially if we’re suppose to be quiet and somber. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is my favorite Christmas Carol and that causes no problems--- but let us sing “We Three Kings” and we all tend to fall apart. At least, we look askance at Larry who sings it loud and clear and in his “own key,” ---if there is such. It’s our family thing---an inside joke that happened each year during our Advent time (#3). It was shared with friends and even our Jewish neighbors who had heard about it.
Music can prompt laughter.

Whenever the Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” plays, Larry and I dance---regardless of where we are! He thinks I’ll probably try to rise up for one last dance, if he has it played at my funeral.
I also admit to doing a little toe tapping in church whenever I hear, "Lord of the Dance.”
Music can prompt dancing.

Whether on a praise walk or cleaning the house, a little music can help me to pick up the pace. Volume seems to help here as well.
Music can prompt energy.

Larry’s new “cash for clunkers” jeep came with a year’s subscription (free) to Sirius XM satellite radio. I don’t have that feature in my “old lady Cadillac,” so if I don’t have an audio book for travel, I choose his car. That way I can select the "60s on 6" channel and listen to music that I know the words to or can at least “understand” the lyrics.
Singing along favorite hymns or praise choruses brings an element of fellowship that is rich. However, I rarely sing out at church because I don’t have that gift. But I’ll “sing in the shower” or sing along with iTunes. I have numerous versions of “Come Thou Fount” and when I get to verse 3, I can belt it out---it rings so true, ..........................

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.

Music can prompt singing along.

Everyone knows that a quiet lullaby can help soothe a baby to sleep, unless his name is Josh Liles. With him, Larry turned the car radio on and drove him around (sometimes at midnight) just so I could sleep. I have friends who keep music going at bedtime to dispel the quiet and ease them into slumber.
Music can prompt rest/sleep.

Music is the international language. I have heard the melody of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” sung by children at a zoo in Venezuela and recognized it even before the E-I—E-I—Os. I heard Silent Night in German and knew the English version because of years of singing it with my family. Music sticks with us and both melody and lyrics can trigger memories.
Music lingers and prompts our thoughts .

My friend, Carol Newman, sent this e-mail message to me. “The God who created music has songs for resting, songs for dancing, and songs of rejoicing over you!"

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42

“His song” is music to my ears and prompts praise from my heart.

Manner of Meditating

11/16/09
A full measure of the Word and prayer each day (especially Monday for me) gives a healthy and powerful life." --Andrew Murray

Years ago, Nancy Stephenson introduced me to Madame Guyon (1647-1717) through Guyon’s autobiography written while she was being held at the infamous Bastille. Guyon advocated time alone in prayer and meditation. She also taught the Reformation principles of sola gracia (grace alone) and sola fide. (faith alone)

Centuries ago, Guyon espoused the same idea which we have been using each “Meditating Monday.” It’s just encouraging to read it from someone who had a real handle on a timeless truth. (Spiritual Progress
or Instructions in the Divine Life of the Soul 
from the French of Fenelon and Madame Guyon"; 
Printed in 1853; Chapter 2)

Here’s what Madame Guyon had to say:

Meditative reading is the choosing (of) some important practical or speculative truth, always preferring the practical, and proceeding thus: whatever truth you have chosen, read only a small portion of it, endeavoring to taste and digest it, to extract the essence and substance of it, and proceed no farther while any savor or relish remains in the passage: then take up your book again, and proceed as before, seldom reading more than half a page at a time.

It is not the quantity that is read, but the manner of reading, that yields us profit. (Guyon, p.3)

Her “manner of meditating” leads to prayer or prayerful consideration. (My THOTS, exactly---Trusting Him On This Scripture)

When by an act of lively faith, you are placed in the presence of God, read some truth wherein there is substance; pause gently thereon, not to employ the reason, but merely to fix the mind; observing that the principal exercise should ever be the presence of God, and that the subject, therefore, should rather serve to stay the mind, than exercise it in reasoning.

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13, NASB)

Let’s go directly to Him, our Source, for our refreshment. Quit turning to self. Put down those shovels. We’re digging ourselves into a hole. Our cisterns, based on our work, relationships, prestige/credentials, pseudo-power/control and our own strength are so “leaky.” Cisterns of “self” won’t even hold water.

"Come all ye that are athirst to the living waters, nor lose your precious moments in hewing out cisterns that will hold no water.”

Today let’s meditate as Guyon and those faithful ones of past centuries did ---Come ye famishing souls, who find nought to satisfy you; come, and ye shall be filled!

Prayer Proddings

11/13/09 Prayer.....what does it really take to get you moving in this area? I had to ask myself this question? Some of the prompts mentioned earlier seem like prods---cattle prods. You know, the ones that shock you into action. Visible clues. Verbal requests. Pray ‘til you feel like praying is an answer/prod that is often given.

Is it the place that is needed? Anywhere will do. Is it the time? Anytime is good. Is it the position? You can always kneel (bow) in your heart.

Is there a right or wrong way to pray? Is it inadequacy in word choice? “Lord all my desire is before Thee.” (Psalm 38:9) What do words matter if He has the desire of my heart!

Maybe it’s the definition of prayer. Simply put, prayer is an “application of your heart to God.” (A Short & Very Easy
Method of Prayer p.1)

Maybe it’s the viewpoint. View it as a privilege or an opportunity rather than just a command.

Prayers are more than petitions for our “horizontal” lives. Prayers are vertical---upward. Prayers are onward---continual. Prayers are God-ward---for His glory.

“To Him who is everywhere, men come, not by traveling but by loving.” (St. Augustine)

My prayer for you is that your praying will become a blessed practice that continues even when you’re not speaking or listening but applying your heart to His in true communion.

No more external prodding will be needed.

PRAYER PROMPTS... on your agenda

11/12/09 Those e-mails said folks I’ve never met in Germany, Holland and France were praying for me. What prompted those prayers? God’s Spirit? Fellowship with other believers? Hearing a siren yesterday, I prayed---for both the injured/ill one and for his/her loved ones as well. God can certainly use both people and circumstances to prompt prayers. Someone stopping us, in a hallway or at the grocery, and requesting prayer can be a big prompt. Often I have to pray right then or say that I will pray as God leads so that I don’t give a false hope---as this old mind doesn’t hold on to requests as it once did. I know what it’s like to count on others to fervently and earnestly pray. I also know that prayer is so-o-o-o much more than petitions. Yet, I can trust Him enough to pour out my heart, my sorrows and my burdens for others and allow Him to work these according to good.

Michèle’s recent blog, “The Problem with Prayer” states, “It’s a topic I both love and hate to discuss, mostly because it’s so nebulous. And yet…it’s also powerful and life-altering and sanity-preserving.”

There is indeed a deep mystery to prayer. Even knowing that prayer is the span that links us to a holy God can be overwhelming. But what a privilege! Devote yourselves to prayer…” (Colossians 4:2) ”pray for one another.” (James 5:16b) These sound more intentional than just running into people or hearing a siren.

What about intentional prayer prompts? My “agenda” prayer prompts for intercession (praying for others), as many know, are scheduled by day---my former prayer group people are prayed for on the weekday that I was assigned for each of them back in the mid-80s---others have been added to these days, often alliteratively. I keep this list with me in my calendar. I have committed to pray for Sarah Young’s health and her prayer prompt is in my lap each time I read her Jesus Calling book. My Weeping Wednesdays prompt me to pray prayers of confession. My 7:00 Saturday morning is my church prayer time that extends in to prayer for children and grandchildren of friends. My big old prayer chair is a very visible prompt that it's time to pray!

When we have had scheduled prayer times with Him, preceded by being quiet and worshipping God in His glory----then we can, as François Fénelon recommended, “Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation -- speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be.”


Without set times of prayer, the spirit of prayer will be dull and feeble. Without the continual prayerfulness, the set times will not avail.--Andrew Murray This sounds like a juxtaposition of planned and unplanned prayers to me.

Spur-of-the-moment prayer prompts. Are you alert to them?
Intentional prayer prompts. What will yours be?

PRAYER PROMPTS

11/11/09 Prayer is to be on-going----“pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) So how does one do that? What prompts one to pray?

Years ago Mother was on a plane from Nashville to New York and at take-off the passengers were advised that there was a problem and to please assume crash position. The plane then turned sharply heading back to the airport. Immediately Mother began to pray.

Crisis is a great prayer prompt.

Mother said that she felt a real sense of peace as she prayed and was assured that I would take care of Daddy. She lived many years after that chaotic landing. Since her death it has been my brother, Bobby, who is Daddy’s main caregiver. Just remembering that, fills me with gratitude and I begin to pray for Bobby.

Gratitude is also a great prayer prompt.

Today is Veteran’s Day. I am reminded to pray for Daddy and lift praises for my favorite “purple heart” vet.

Holidays and celebrations are great prayer/praise prompts.

The biopsy was positive, your spouse has walked out, the injury resulted in paralysis. (Psalm 119:71)

Affliction is a great prayer prompt.

Amy Carmichael said, “Do we ever bring His own words to Him and find that He turns away? Never.” (Edges of His Ways, p. 204)

Scripture is a great prayer prompt.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) theologian said, “The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer.”

God’s Spirit is a great prayer prompt.

Panic prayers, grateful prayers, fearful prayers, and breath prayers are all links that connect us to God day in and day out. But what about those times when we don’t know how to pray? What to pray? Prompt without the purpose.

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Perfect prayer from the Perfect Prompter.

PRAYER PONDERINGS

11/10/09
Because of technical difficulties with my Word program---probably me---today’s blog just got changed to what I can control by cutting and pasting with minimal typing. Hopefully, “Prayer Prompts” will follow tomorrow.
I have included some prayer quotes by scholars/theologians,---mainly from authors whose writings I have read.

Let me know if any speak to your heart! Or share a new one with me that is meaningful to you. Ponder away…….

• Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. --Andrew Murray

• Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? --Corrie Ten Boom

• We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. --Oswald Chambers

• To pray is to listen to the One who calls you "my beloved daughter," "my beloved son," "my beloved child." To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being. --Henri Nouwen

• When we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship.……We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. --A.W. Tozer

• In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. --John Bunyan

• There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. --Brother Lawrence
  

3M

11/9/09……… Monday’s meditation musings
“When He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything.” A Streams in the Desert entry that I read while in Dallas, encouraged the practice of being alone. Sometimes this involves dismissing the crowd just as Jesus did. (See Matt. 14:22.) Even well-meaning people can be a distraction when we’re trying to be alone with Him---seeking more of His dust. (“….until only Jesus was left with the woman still standing there.” John 8:8)

May our (my) soul yearn for, and practice that kind of solitude in times of meditation with Him. May we (I) practice dismissing the crowd. May we (I) “Be still and know”---He is God; (Psa. 46:10)

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us,
There is none to compare with You
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count

6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.

7 Then I said, "Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart."

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You know.

10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

11 You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
(Psalm 40:5-11)

May I practice Thy Presence today---within my practice of solitude---just Me and Thee---heart to heart, beating as one.

GLORY BUMPS

“GLORY BUMPS”
11/8/09 Glory bumps……………an ljj e-mail informed me of this pithy term---2 short words with a big connotation. It’s similar to the goose bumpy feeling that one gets when reading a Hallmark card or a story that touches the heart. But “glory bumps” are more than that. Glory bumps are precipitated by an awareness of a “God thing” --- those incidences in our lives with a spiritual connection. God incidences--not coincidences! Glory bumps might result from seeing a miracle or a moving of God’s hand or just from experiencing the grand sense of LIFE that is beyond our comprehension/understanding.

That term, “Glory bumps,” has given me “pause to ponder” today. I have had more than my share of glory bumps these past 11 months. Here are a few of the earthly unexplainable incidences that come to mind and keep me all “a shiver” to the depths of my being.

MAC GLORY BUMPS

1. Michèle---a fellow MAC cancer survivor found by “my” Molly’s tireless “google” search before I even knew much more that the name of my very rare cancer---certainly not the extent of it. Meeting her stateside was a lifetime of glory bumps—one giganic glory bump in and of itself.

2. The Ridleys---Mary Flo and Dave who opened their home and their hearts to me in Dallas before God even completely secured my team there. (Thanks to Sally Klinke, a 1st Evan friend, and her “best friend” connection to Kari S. at Park Cities Pres in Dallas, who knows Mary Flo very well) The Ridleys continued to open their home for each subsequent surgery and for my bevy of nurses that accompanied me. I now call them friends---dear, dear friends.

3. My Team---only God leading Dr. Louis Carter from Africa and Dr. George Burruss from Memphis to a team in Dallas that went full circle from an original recommendation from Dr. Jay Burns (son Buddy’s friend in Dallas) to UT Medical, to Methodist Germantown, to St. Louis, Houston, Dallas Southwestern, and back to Dallas Baylor and Dr. Richard Ha at Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, office of Dr. Fritz Barton, Dr. Rod Rohrich, (friends of Dr. Carter) and their colleague, Dr. Burns---Buddy’s friend! What a full circle---one that truly reflects the hand of God!

4. Jesus Calling---the little devotional book by Sarah Young that has kept so many of my family, friends, and cyberspace acquaintances on the “same page.” My family tried, unsuccessfully, to find info about this special author on-line, but to no avail. But God………..through a forwarded e-mail from friend, Beth, located her for me. We have since been in touch (from Memphis to Nashville to Overland, KS and to Perth, Australia) Sarah has become a prayer partner and encourager. I hope I have become the same for her.

5. dotsydetails.blogspot.com---Last January, I didn’t even know what a blog was ---but God…………has used it as a way to connect with so-o-o many folks, both known and unknown to me. The blog has allowed others to view “my Dance” with all my missteps and challenges and to learn with me along the way.

6. Prayer---from the first one I prayed on January 10, 2009 after reading the Jesus Calling entry from that day. “Lord, if it doesn’t matter for eternity, may the storm that’s coming into my life not be cancer.” (It was very much cancer--a very rare cancer--so I knew it mattered.)

• Jeff White, pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian in Dallas, during staff prayer time “chose” my name and realized that he in fact, knew that name because Larry Liles had been his racquetball coach at UM. I now know what it feels like to be “be lifted up in prayer”---like a calm after the “glory bumps.”

• Surgery Day prayers at First Evan

• My name above Dr. Albritton's desk to remind him to pray.
  

• Muslim student telling me that she had never seen faith like mine.

• Worldwide prayer warriors---it would take pages to explain the breadth and depth.

• Brother Buddy and Charlotte being baptized Easter “09---it has mattered for eternity and that’s all that really matters.

7. Connections and Reconnections---distant family, my 4th grade teacher, life long friends, high school chums, college roomies, Rawls Hall folks, Pi Phis, former students (and their parents and grandparents) HHS faculty and staff, 42 years of education colleagues and new cyberspace acquaintances-----to name a few.

8. BEST possible outcomes for each surgery. The first prognosis was so grim that Larry asked the docs about tattooing me so that he would know for sure that he would be taking home his wife. I am indeed a “walking miracle” as Ann E. dubbed me. “The most astonishing thing about miracles is that they do happen.” G.K. Chesterton

9. Insurance coming through at just the right time on several occasions-----11th hour took on new meaning!

10. “Puddle Experiences”---a result of too many glory bumps at once—which reduce me to tears! The surprise from friends who lined the end of my street in March with balloons and posters to send me off on the first surgical part of my MAC journey, immediately comes to mind.

GLORY BUMPS, INDEED!!

MY REMINDERS OF GOD’S GOODNESS! I TREASURE EACH ONE OF THEM---THOUGH THE NUMBERS ARE TOO HIGH TO COUNT!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Stay Abed Day

11/7/09
Somehow the 8+ hour trip from Dallas to Memphis seems to have taken its toll----and I don’t mean $$. I am wiped out! This is definitely a “stay abed” kind of day.

Now all I have to do is grant myself permission for this endeavor. It feels inactive. Inactivity is what I need. So----what’s the problem? I need to legitimize “staying abed” or otherwise, guilt will have me up and groping around and trying to look productive. Or, if I “stay abed” with my mind in a “stew” because of the guilt, I’ll further compound the issue.
Scripture is the “legitimate” answer.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31)

I think I’ll have Larry resurrect Cathy Hasting’s recipe for “Stay-Abed Stew.” That’s a legitimate 7 hours of cooking with the added benefit of a sweet aroma. Sweet aroma of stew and scripture---the perfect/legitimate way to spend the day.

(2 Corinthians 2:14)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (--even the bed)

Clutter control

11/6/09 ……………….is needed in my life. Too many options. Too many “just in case” locations for items---even though they might be color coded according to the room or drawer where they "should be" found. This random organizing is understood only by me and lately, even I have trouble remembering where things are, or "should be". Retrieval is most difficult, if not impossible. I’ve been to enough “organizing seminars to know that “organized clutter is still clutter.” Where is that simplicity in my life that I yearn for and try so hard to attain. Aging and a MAC muddled mind are my excuses………….but God.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

For this I need preparation. Returning home from the final surgery as a true MAC survivor, my reentry needs to be purposeful, even as I convalesce. I need to de-clutter my mind before I run around reorganizing, yet again. Rearranging “stuff” is only a pseudo act ---a pretense of control. Mine is a mind game. Only He has the answer for me. The answer is to “Philippians 4:8 everything”, as Kay Arthur taught me. In other words, give Him control in my mind and allow my actions to follow thoughts received from Him.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

“……..A mind stayed on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3) will take care of all the “clutter” in my life because there is only one option---the Lord Himself!

Expect the Unexpected---Fruit Facet #9

11/5/09 Yesterday’s ordinary day was in fact an extraordinary day. Why? An ordinary day in my life is not really a ho-hum, mundane kind of day. That would be a “new ordinary” for me, and one that I think I could get used to quite easily. My ordinary days are usually scheduled with work, tyrannies of the urgent and lots of agendas----both mine and others. Yesterday, in my terms, was extraordinary. Extraordinary because it was both “agenda-less” and rare. Maybe I need to find some middle ground between the ordinary (hectic panicky) and the extraordinary (easygoing peaceful). Hm-m-m, that sounds like moderation. And moderation sounds like self-control. And self- control is the final facet of the “Fruit of the Spirit.” (And you thought I’d never get there.) Actually it was unexpected for me as well. But God…………had me thinking about my life yesterday---a life that too easily swings from one end of the pendulum to the other---somewhere between chaos and calm---never quite finding the moderation of the middle---at least not for very long.

This fruit quality might be last on the list but it is an important aspect---one that too many folks try to handle on their own. As with all the fruit facets, the underlying point of reference of self-control must be Spirit led. To grin and bear it is the world’s way. In our own strength (flesh), self-control can often be tempered for a while---but when a goal is blocked or that irregular person reappears in our life, then words can fly like sweet and salt water from the same fountain. (James 3:11-15) Instead of that sweet fruit of the vine (John 15) we produce those bitter berries and wild brambles.

“In the Spirit” is key for this “fruit that comes in nine different flavors.” Thus the lifestyle of the Christian “reflects the selfless and outgoing life of God himself.” (“Dr. Constable’s Notes on Galatians”, p.62) My desire is to give up those acts of my sinful nature and to “keep in step” with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25, sums up the lifestyle evidenced by these 9 unified qualities that are one fruit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by Spirit."

I hope mine looks like a dance!!

EMBRACE THE ORDINARY

11/4/09 Nothing much to say. That's what I, this too often verbose “blogger,” thought as I opened my laptop. Why? For the last few weeks, I have seemingly been caught up in one crisis after another. Crying out to God in fear, panic or pain. Today, none of that looms---just an ordinary day. What does one “do” with an ordinary day? Admission:---I haven’t even opened my Bible or Jesus Calling yet. Warning---Self-reliance can be so subtle!

Daddy’s mantra is “ I thank the good Lord for every day I have.” His days seem ordinary, to me---certainly routine. Yet, there is thankfulness in his everyday existence. In the midst of my MAC (cancer) crisis, I have been focused on seeing God’s hand. Will His hand be as easy to see when my days revert to the ordinary again? Will I only focus on being grateful on “Thankful Thursdays?”

Last week at Baylor Medical, a small card, labeled ΑΩ, was placed on one of my scrumptious “clear liquid” trays. The scripture (Psalm 118:24) read, “This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (NRSV) The prayer to the God of all Faithfulness ended with ….be empowered to live well this day.” As I pray this now, I ask God’s power and His strength as I begin this new day. I don’t even want to think of facing any day, even an ordinary one, without Him.

Most of life occurs somewhere between the pit of chaos/despair and the mountaintop of celebration. That’s where the commonplace is. That’s where I am today. That’s where God is. A recent e-mail from Michèle reminded me that she prays for me to have a renewed understanding of the beauty of life “that comes from simply being ALIVE and turned toward Him.”

May I embrace that prayer, today. May I embrace the ordinary. May I embrace Him.

Strawless in Dallas

11/3/09 The call came from the doctor’s office late yesterday afternoon---food allowed albeit with restrictions. Soft foods are best. Eat others with caution and care because remaining mouth stitches have not dissolved. Continue to swish and spit with antibacterial rinse but bottom teeth may be carefully brushed with my tiny “Elmo” toothbrush and “sensitive” gel. All of this was good news and Mary Flo prepared some luscious Yukon gold mashed potatoes, “Neiman Marcus style,” in celebration. Delish!

Today we have to go to pick up a prescription “redo” in Allen, TX where Buddy and Day live so we plan to take them to lunch. Larry and I have become consumed with all the available options! We have planned to treat loved ones to lunch---God is directing our steps. A great idea came---simply lunch, with a simple Memphis connection.

Recently, my friend Katherine and I went to the movie, “Julie and Julia.” There were some life lessons in that movie as a young Julie sought to cook her way through Julia Child’s, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, (524 recipes) in one year and to “blog” about her culinary adventure. Her first attempt, “Potage Parmentier,” had been described by Julia as “simplicity itself to make.” Simplicity! Isn’t that what we all crave? Don’t we all need to pare down---not just in cooking and eating, but in life? What is essential?

Sometimes less is better. Too many options can weigh us down. I can wear myself out trying to decide what is best. Simplicity of “straw dining” has had its benefits. Potato-leek soup from Short Stop in Snider Plaza was one—it must have been made the Julia Child way with heavy cream. It went easily through my straw, tasted yummy and filled my tummy. Nothing else was needed.

Paring down keeps life simpler and that can be a good thing. Sometimes there’s way too much on my plate. Today I desire only God’s requisite essentials for my life.

“He has told you, O man, what is good.: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Essentials. Simply put. All I need for today!

Communion of the Heart

11/2/09
Unity, spiritual union, close association, relationship. All these are results of an open heart communing with God’s heart through His word.
Last night as I was “communing with God” upon my bed, I selected Psalm 4, another psalm of David’s. Subtitle: Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

Psalm 4 (NASB) (notations, mine)

Answer me when I call O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress. (Amen!)

O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? [Selah
Remember Selah denotes pause. Ponderings from my pause: What am I loving in my life that is useless or of no real significance---Is it robbing me of time and energy of that which is truly valuable. Help me, O Lord to discern.

But know the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself: The Lord hears when I call to Him. (What a comfort to know that the Lord hears even me.)

Tremble and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still. [Selah (I can tell You this fear that I am facing tomorrow, and in turning it over to You, I do not sin.)

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord. (Sacrifices that are righteous before Him---a broken and contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17) Trust Him not myself---Thee not me!)

Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! (THOT: Is it salvation that is the shining of His face upon us?)

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. (Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing….and girded me with gladness. Psalm 30:7)

In peace, I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety. (My peace comes from Thee, and Thee alone!)

Today, choose one of these verses that speaks to your heart and meditate on it throughout the day. Tonight, meditate upon your bed and be still as you lie down to sleep in His peace.