Outgoing

11/20/11 A stack of letters caught my attention. Outgoing mail. Many filled with stamps across the envelopes. A philatelist I'm not, though I was a member of the 5th grade "stamp collectors club." But I've always loved stamp art and often choose to buy ones that depict areas of life which I appreciate. Even today I love to personalize letters with appropriate, interesting, and to me, pretty stamps.
Yet, it wasn't the letters so much as the term outgoing that kept coming to mind. Not as fast as e-mail but a way of my love and concern going out to others. The outgoing was just a visible overflow of my inward thoughts and feelings. Hopefully these small gestures "shout" outwardly my inward affection and concern for them. "Shout" was a typo for show, (but I like the idea that my actions shout my love)

What is outgoing from your life? That question is one I've been musing all day. What about other outgoing aspects of my personality. Is the meditation of my heart worthy of visibility? What visible outpouring of care are my hands "about." What about my words? How encouraging our my "outgoing" remarks? "So encourage each other and build each other up...."

If I'm feeling godly emotions why am I not being His hands and feet---and even mouth. Once I get the "outgoing" going out, how do I maintain this?

How do I keep "outgoing" ongoing?

Going a step further this afternoon, I took grandson Owen shopping with me to give to the WRVR toy truck for Porter Leath Children's Home. One little melt down occurred when he realized he wasn't getting the toy himself but only choosing it for another little boy or girl. Sharing is outgoing but for a preschooler it can be a hard, but necessary, lesson to learn.


Today was a beginning as I want my 4 yr. old grandson to experience "outgoing" with me so that it will be ongoing in his life.

Priestly Encouragement

11/29/11 Last night's BSF lesson gave me lots of "meat" for thought. I have to say "meat" because at this point, I need to be on solid food and not milk. Cathy's lecture on our High Priest was so thorough and kept emphasizing the "big idea" of a priest who understands our weaknesses.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 14:15)

Yet, it's two verses before that which, when paired with verse 15, really spoke to me today.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 14:13)

Knowing all there is to know about me (and you) inside and out. From my bad habits and waylaid good intentions to my fears and deep seated hurts, He sees it all. (v. 13) Not only does He understand, but He sympathizes with what He sees and knows. (v. 15)

That's real comfort. He knows me completely---all is laid bare---and yet he empathizes rather than rejecting. That's encouragement of the highest order from my High Priest.

Crying Out to God

11/28/11 At the beginning of his reign, King Asa of Judah did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. When he needed help, he cried out to God. When he faced the multitude he cried out to God. Between now and January 1, I, as many of you, am facing a variety of multitudes. Multitudes that can conquer me if I battle them in my own strength. A multitude of decisions. A multitude of car miles. A multitude of logistical maneuvers. A multitude of packing. How about you? What multitudes are you facing.
Like Asa, believers should cry out to Elhoim. “The Almighty” in the sense of “God” (The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words #410) The Name of strength. Our Lord is a strong tower. (Proverbs 18:10)

And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. (2 Chronicles 14:11)

This week identify the "multitude" you are facing in your life. Cry out to God for help.

Sabbath Snapshots: First Advent '11

11/27/11 ”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Monday---Plan R for rainy day---Bass Pro & my "grands" were only kids there---

Important Christmas letters---













Trains & Remote cars


Crossbow
Shooting Gallery
Racing Cars
Tuesday chili supper for most of Liles crewWednesday Indoor Swim












Finch Center Tour
Finding UM Tiger # 53---(54 out of 100 was our total)"Prep" Day &
Caleb's Rice Krispie Treats in a "6"











Noah stirs up a pumpkin pie for Daddy
ThursdayParade and Wii to begin "Turkey Day"
(Nathan had my camera--have lots of Wii football pix too)
Thanksgiving Dessert---Side Street Steppers "sang" for their supper---
PTL outside play weather on Friday AM
Friday PM--inside and out--Fort Brotherhood, a great tent, compliments of Molly---
S'MORES---

Saturday: AM Sadness---saying good by to the Texans and watching them drive away.
PM CELEBRATION: Perrin & Jim (son of Molly & Nick) a young man for whom I have prayed, on Saturdays, for many a year---
SUNDAY---Advent Gift for the young ones........As a child, I remember playing with our baby Jesus in the makeshift stable that decorated the top of our console TV.

First Advent Sunday

Saturday Sadness comes ......

11/26/11...like a deep, dense morning fog over our Pickwick dock. It settles. It envelopes. it smothers the good times. Recollection of those intensifies the "hurt." Even the weather reflects my gloom. Dark. Dreary. Rainy.

Things are the same underneath but shrouded and buried deep under that proverbial "heavy blanket." It usually takes a few days for these emotions of melancholy to ease up.

It happens every time family leaves. The grands ask, "Shug, why do you always cry when we leave?" I don't know the exact answer. Love is most of it.

I do know that light dispels darkness. I open all the shutters. Pull up all the blinds. The dreariness of the day doesn't help but I need to do something to dispel my lingering sadness.

I try to remind myself that tomorrow will be better. Acute, raw sadness of separation from family is hardest the first day. As I age it seems to be taking longer to still this emotion. But.....like Frost's poem, "It sits....on silent haunches and then moves on."

Move on, Saturday sadness.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2011!!

11/24/11
Plan R in action---redo all mistakes from time-saving ideas and relishing having a daughter-in-law alongside doing my "dirty" work, a daughter reconstituting gravy from about 3 different parts and a hubby recreating slicing the turkey bird b/c haven't a clue where the rest of the electric knife is. Really grateful because "invited" folks arriving in 45 min. Welcome to our world!Reciting Psalm 100---KJV, of course (assigned by my favorite teacher, Mrs. Alice Munday, in 4th grade at Morningside Elementary, a public school in Hopkinsville, Ky)

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.

Thanks be to God

11/21/11 "Thanks be to God" is a response to God's goodness that I have heard from denominational congregations throughout the years. Though it can be just a rote incantation of sorts, those meaningful words should prompt meditation. As an expression from the heart, it represents an overflow of the gratitude that comes from the realization that all that we have is from Him.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (II Corinthians 9:15)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: ENJOYING THE DAY!

11/20/11

GRANOLA....left at my backdoor......now, I can share with family without making it....I love Aunt Marge's recipe.....what a gift......from JoLynn, who would never "overtoasts" anything she cooks!
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START MY DAY!

SUNDAY TREAT---eating out at Formosa.....Fun & somewhat ironic fortune cookie comment for one who lives in a modify mode---Today alone I'm already to Plan Q----meaning I've quit even trying to plan---just trusting Him to cover all my preparation bases.

PTL for an audio cord----now all 13 versions of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" can ring out from my iPod through my car radio, much to my delight.

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER FOR THE NEXT 6 NIGHTS????

Pillow prizes (animal flashlights) for all who will "dwell" here this week.

"Fix-it" MentaliTEA

11/19/11 "Fix-it" mentaliTEA is a cuppa that I consume far too frequently. Frankly, it wears me out. Basically others, more often than not, don't seem to fully appreciate this "helping" aspect of my personality. Lately my cuppa has been filled to capacity with my "make it all better" philosophy... spilling over and making a mess. Is this really just an ailment, a disease to please and take away pain of others?
I grieve over things I can not fix, especially for loved ones....feeling like I should be able to at least help in some way, more prayer, more $, more time.
This morning as I sipped my cuppa,* I read, "I call on You, O God for You will answer me and hear my prayer." PTL (Praise the Lord) who can take care of everyone and all situations w/o my help/interference. I just need to pray. (my marginalia) A reminder to stop "overhelping" and begin accepting and enjoying.
I need to acknowledge each situation or need without immediately jumping in to "fix-it."

(Conversation with self) Pour out that cuppa of "fix-it" tea. Brew a fresh cup of a milder, decaffienated sensitiviTEA. Stir in a little godly discernment. Step back and allow God to work.
Leave the results to God, Dotsy!

*BTW my morning cuppa (pictured) was pretty good---a St. Dalfour (France) organic darjeeling.

PRAISE PRECEDES........

11/18/11 God desires praise not perfection. Written in the frontispiece of my old NAS Bible---long forgotten by me, until the reminder this morning from Ann V.'s blog. "Praise, not Perfection . He wants my praise not my perfection..." is how she puts it.
This week has been one of falling back into old habits---the "perfection pursuit" mode. This malady usually occurs when company is coming or an event is planned at 1152. I know things won't be perfect but it seems like I want to make it just right---as right as I can make it---so all my bases are covered. My goal is "a good time had by all." Hm-m-m. If I'm in a dither, I know of one person who won't be having a good time.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss's "Power and Practice of Praise" teaches about the process of praise and the preparation of our hearts as we praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. (Israel) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. "Praise is God's address."

Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness....
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD. (Psalm 150:1, 2 & 6)

PREPARATION (for any event in my life) SHOULD FOLLOW PRAISE--NOT PRECEDE IT!

"Don’tcha" just love ___________?

11/16/11 "Don’tcha" just love___________?
A rainy day. If you thought I had a spiritual answer for the "fill in the blank" you would be somewhat correct---though at first thought, my answer didn't seem very spiritual. You see, I do love a rainy day. I love to hear the rain---especially on a tin roof---like at 2211, my childhood home. I even like to hear it whooshing out the downspout of our gutters. I love to feel the rain. As a child I would lean my head back with mouth wide open to catch the drops as I played in the rain. To this day I love to walk in the rain and more often than not, I don't "fiddle" with an umbrella---which I'd probably lose anyway. I love the smell of rain soaked leaves and sometimes I feel like I can even smell rain coming.

Rain doesn't sound spiritual and many folks would see it as one of life's interruptions as it hampers their errands or other endeavors on their "list." The reason I love a rainy day isn't spiritual in and of itself---it's mostly self serving---a good excuse to take a break with a "cuppa" and a daily crossword and to hunker down. But even that enjoyment can be spiritual---another manifestation of the truth that "God has given us all things to richly enjoy."

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. (I Timothy 6:17)

Our Prayer for Revival group meditated on Psalm 147 yesterday, reminding us to praise and then providing the reasons for that praise---

Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain.....(Psalm 147:7-8a)

Today I'm praising Him for that rain just because I like it. Thankful, too, that my recently transplanted snowball bushes are drinking it in.

As the "Preacher" in Ecclesiastes, I see more and more aspects of life as gifts from Him---even a chilly, rainy day. "This too, I see, is from the hand of God."

The rain has somewhat diminished and the wind has blown wet leaves all over the patio. This could be a signal that I need to rake up the wet mess---but, I don't "do" leaves, especially wet ones. I just like to smell them, not clean them up. Don'tcha just love the way I pick and choose the elements of rain that are "useful" to me?
Don'tcha just love the way God loves us (me) regardless of our (my) propensity toward spiritual rationalization?

Meditative Moments

11/14/11 Our Lord had times of meditation alone and times of quiet conversations with His disciples. He knew the importance of pulling apart from the whirlwind of life for them and for Himself as well. It would behoove us to follow that example.
In our busyness there is often little time amid all the turmoil of daily responsibilities to pull apart for reading and reflection. How does one "work in" a quiet thought or the opening of God's word's for prayer and meditation? That's what Monday's are all about. That's why I always blog on Monday. Even if it's just a taste of scripture for us to chew on all week, it's essential to our spiritual well-being. In your secret/quiet place for communing with the Lord, look to Him for refuge and strength. Trust Him. Remember His love.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:20-22)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Around UM & the East End of Town

11/13/11 Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! (I Chronicles 16:9)

"To Him all majesty ascribe and crown Him Lord of all!"

INTERNATIONAL MARKET ---Providing a way for women and children to sustain their freedom through learning a skill and supporting themselves financially.
Products hand-crafted by the poor...
the vulnerable....
&......survivors of human trafficking
Micro-loans for India---rumor has it that one of last year's donors to India named his water buffalo "WAR EAGLE"!!

Buying clean water.

A little help goes a long way.
Remembering sacrifice is honorable.
Greentrees Assoc. flags line Kirby parkway.

Ginkgos on Goodlett---
Ginkgos on Grandview---