“SEEING GOD’S HAND”

3/30/12 “Seeing God’s Hand” is always located on the left side of the blog as my way of continuing to look for those God incidences in life. Since my cancer diagnosis and Bobbie McCarty’s authoritative, earnest and encouraging counsel to watch for God’s hand in every aspect of life, I have done just that!

But this time, God’s hand was so evident in someone else’s life, of which I just played a small part, I had to share it in my blog’s BIG space.

Meet Trey Erwin. 

Erwin family photo

• Daughter Molly first told me about this 15 yr. old young man from Collierville who was diagnosed with an “adult” form of pancreatic cancer. 

I, as many others, began praying.

• Article appeared in Memphis Commercial Appeal giving even more details of this “valiant warrior” who chooses to go into this battle with the Lord at his side.

Age-wise, Trey qualified for St. Jude but an “adult” form of cancer cannot be treated there. But God…..St. Jude is helping foot West Clinic bill for his treatments.

Houston High teacher, Karla R., who had been such a prayer warrior for me during my cancer battle, e-mailed asking if I  had any way to get in touch with Sarah Young (author of Jesus Calling) because Trey used that little book every day as his devotional. She gave me his Caring Bridge site. 

• (3/28 am ) I posted telling Trey that I had sent a link of his story to Sarah Young.

• (3/28 pm email from Sarah Young to me)

Trey is an amazing young man! I just posted something on his Caring Bridge page. I hope it will encourage him. Thank you for telling me about this inspiring boy.  

• (3/28 pm Sarah Young posted)

Trey, this is Sarah Young, writing you from way down under in Perth, Australia. Dotsy wrote me about you and said that my book, Jesus Calling, has been helpful to you. I want you to know that I pray daily, at some length, for all readers. So you have been in my daily prayers. I will also pray for you specifically by name.

I am so inspired by your love for Jesus, and your positive, trusting attitude as you go through this ordeal. I just finished writing a book on hope, which is scheduled to release in October. If you like, I'll ask my publisher to send you a copy as soon as the books are available. You can tell me via Dotsy, if you like.

May Jesus bless you and your family with Peace in His Presence, Sarah Young

• (3/29/am, Trey’s mom Lisa, excitedly posted)

He (Trey) reads his devotional book Jesus Calling every morning and does his quiet time.  I called him this morning and told him you are not going to believe this, but Sarah Young signed your guestbook.  He said how cool because he just got through reading this morning's devotion.

Today's verses are very appropriate for what he is feeling in his frustration of wanting to help and see what God is doing in this world.

John 16:33  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Ecc. 3:1  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;" 

Jesus Calling says ~ "Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.  When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda.  If is isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties."

• 3/29 e-mail received from Trey’s mom

When I saw it (Sarah Young’s CB post) this morning, I called him immediately and said TREY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!  I read her post to him.  He thought that was so cool.  I gave the book (Jesus Calling) to him over a year ago and he reads it over and over, just like I do.  It stays by his pillow on his bed next to his iphone.  Yes! He would love to have her book (soon to be published “Hope” book)  It might be just what he needs.  Thank you very much!

• 3/30/12 Book request info was given to Sarah Young and she contacted her publisher---done deal!--- 

Read 2 comments from others

….. from a Collierville School teacher

Trey, you have been in my prayers daily along with your parents and Collin! I, too, read "Jesus Calling" each day. This book has touched so many lives! I pray this week you will have more strength. 
Camille Valentine

....from folks who don't know Trey
Trey & Family, even though we have never met nor have our paths crossed in anyways. We first heard your story on K-love And it has touched our lives and our Hearts forever. We continue to Pray for our Healing God to make Trey stronger each passing day. His love for our God is so powerful And he has inspired us to begin reading Jesus Calling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you each day. Sincerely, 
Mary & Amber S. 

I see God’s hand all over this young man’s life. A life of one whom I’ve never met and yet a life that blesses me to the core. Thanks, Trey!

Join me in praying God's best for him! 

SINGING AND CLINGING

3/26/12

My meditation for this week is a result of a God turn. (Actually 3 turns) I had considered one passage “but God”……first introduced conviction in this week’s BSF lesson as I once again questioned, “Am I singing (trust songs) and making melody with my (grateful) heart to the Lord?

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)

Next, the Lord took me back in the Psalms---Fearful thoughts were rocking my world so God took me back to the Rock, Psalm 31:1-8. Not only was He giving me His words to cling to; He was giving me Himself.

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? (Psalm 18:31)

Finally, in church yesterday I stood and sang along, making melody in my heart.

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing (Chris Tomlin)

I came home and downloaded it from iTunes---- 

Now I’m singing, clinging, and meditating on my ROCK!

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!         (Psalm 18:46)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Looking Down on God's Creation

A smattering---the aftermath of cherry blossoms

3/25/12 As the Lord gave the pattern for the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25, it's easy to understand why he included the beauty of buds and blossoms of flowers in its design.

8“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

31 “Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.

 

Botanic Gardens ruffled tulips

For my boys: a five-lined skink checks out Shug's new windows

Vestiges of a nosegay

Mother's "pinks"

"FLOWERS, SHUG!" And to think that I saw them as weeds.

"My Molly's Azalea"---a gift from my 1979 Germantown Elementary kindergarten class

Staying "in touch"

3/24/12 “In touch”….a pre-requisite for staying “in tune” with God’s purpose for one’s life. How does one align his/her own will with God’s will if he/she isn’t “in touch”? One has to “tune in” to be in-touch.

 

Some of the basic ways to tune in are obvious........

• Bible Reading 
• Studying God’s word 
• Prayer 
• Singing hymns and praise songs 
• Fellowship with other believers 
• Service in His name

This year, "tuning in" for me, has been spending extra time meditating and journaling through Psalms, looking for beauty and joy in the world around, “POP “ walks, (Prayer of Praise) accepting challenges as “gifts” and bestowing “gifts” that please God.

The more one “tunes in” the more one stays in-touch with the Lord.

“In touch”---a much desired position for believers.

"National Day of Unplugging 2012"

3/23/12 Just heard my Jewish friends have declared to “slow down their lives" and "unplug" by going off-line from sunset tonight through sunset tomorrow----their Shabbat. It’s a tech detox of sorts. I plan to join them.  Who doesn’t need that?

“There’s clearly a social problem when we’re interacting more with digital interfaces than our fellow human beings. Rich, engaging conversations are harder to come by than they were a few years ago. As we voyage deeper into the digital world, our attention spans are silently evaporating. Unplugging on a weekly basis won’t provide a magical solution to these issues, but it’s a start. Adding a modern Sabbath will ideally reward with the same riches this ritual has provided for centuries  – a chance to catch our breaths, replenish our souls and reconnect with the living, breathing people we love.” (Dan Rollman, President of URDB.org)

 Love their premise of taking time to see and enjoy the world and reconnect with the people around you.

Will be back tomorrow with ”Staying in touch……” blog---an entry mosty written but when I decided to join the “no technology” movement, I somehow wiped out that digital interface component.

Shalom, y’all!

 

Pause that refreshes.....

3/22/12 Loved those little 6oz. bottled cokes Mother kept in the back room refrigerator. Even after they were no longer “available”, Daddy was able to get them from an old grocery store down in Guthrie, KY. Not sure where the grocer acquired his stash. As Daddy said, “the pause that refreshes” was better ice cold and straight out of the bottle. Sitting with Daddy on our back porch step with those cold Cokes in hand were certainly refreshing times for me.

Note blank space under cross on left page & 3/8 date in bottom right corner.

These past weeks I have been given “spiritual pause"

Bonhoffer’s book*, 2012 has been my designated “Praying the Psalms” year. March 8, in Texas, using Day’s grandmother’s old Revised Standard Version Bible, I spent time meditating and journaling on Psalm 62. Notations included, “a song of trust” which had me questioning my life songs. My God songs? My trust? 

Sunday, (3/18) I read the Bible verse entry for the Upper Room (once again) Psalm 62:5, 8. “For God alone my soul waits in silence,….. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (NRSV) More time needed to pour out my heart in song and prayer before Him.

 

Yesterday morning 3/21 Jesus Calling’s first line, “Trust Me and don’t be afraid for I am your Strength and Song,” and concluding with …join Me in singing My Song.” All of that meditation on Psalm 62, a psalm /song of trust, flooded my mind. What was God trying to tell me? I “paused” for more time with Him. A time of spiritual refreshment.

Last night at Heart to Heart Bible study, Crickett, our teaching leader, taught “5 Reasons to Cling to the Rock,” from Psalm 62: 5-8, a part of our Day 3 (3/17) lesson.

5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]

Since my purple journal was in my book bag, I just opened to my notes and there on the left hand page was the perfect space** to incorporate her lecture notes summarizing David’s view of God as His ROCK. It was David’s song of trust. Once again God was helping me learn it.

All of this is probably only significant to me……but God…….continues to meet me at my point of need on trust issues. He’s putting a new song in my mouth and He’s doing it through Psalm 62. He’s doing it as I spend time with Him. He’s giving me a “refresher” course in trust.

“For God alone, My soul waits in silence”(RSV)…………the pause that truly refreshes.

*Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

**Grateful I had taken picture of journal before lecture---an affirmation of "but God"…..meeting my needs ahead of time.

Staying "in tune".......

3/21/12

Everytime I’ve seen my son-in-law, Corey, pick up his guitar or banjo, I’ve watched him begin to strum and twist/tighten a peg or hold the string without “fretting” the string and then turning all those little peg things. (Guess who doesn’t play a guitar/banjo?) It seems he doesn’t just do it once but sometimes stops in the middle of his strumming to re-tune. Possibly the same procedure is needed more frequently on some strings. According to his actions frequent adjusting is pretty much a requirement for staying in tune.

How like our spiritual lives. To stay “in tune” we often need to re-adjust, especially in some areas. Since this is “weeping Wednesday” for me, confession comes to mind, especially with my “fretting.” (No pun intended.) Continuing in God’s Word is another great way to stay “in tune”. Everytime we need an adjustment, following instructions from scripture can enable us to enjoy “harmonious” living because we are ”in tune” with the Lord.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

 Singing hymns and songs of the spirit (with gratitude) are great for staying "in tune" with God.

Spring: Day 1

3/20/12 Many writers speak of springtime as the season that eases in or tiptoes in with scents to tickle our noses and blooms to delight our eyes. A time of no extremes. A time of transition between the chill of winter and the heat of summer.

Weather wise, spring of 2012 entered weeks before its designated calendar day and defied such descriptors. It blew in with gale force winds, tornados, flooding and record-breaking high temps that would then plummet without warning. 

Today’s powerful wind gusts scattered the petals of our "early blooming" cherry tree far and wide---and even into our living room through our pane-less frame. The Window World gal said it was “magical” to see all that pink whirring around. Pink cotton candy. (My thought---it looks like we just had a wedding in here.)

None of this surprises our Creator. As our earth revolves, seasons will continue. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) We just get to enjoy each of them.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, …….... 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 ……….. a time to embrace..... (Ecclesiastes 3:1-5)

 Spring: a favorite season for many----embrace it and enjoy!

But God.....

3/19/12 “But God.” I use that phrase a lot in blogging. This week I decided to use it for meditation. A simple phrase. 6 letters, 2 words. Fitting perfectly with my desire to simplify. Part of my BSF lesson in Ephesians 2. Simply a perfect fit.

Not as simple as I thought. I spent entirely too long on the rabbit trail of deciding if it were a subordinating conjunction or prepositional phrase. But God…..began to teach me some profound truths in those 2 words.

In Ephesians 2:4 “but God” introduces a BIG contrast between the condition of a believer and a non-believer…..from death to life.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

But God…..makes all the difference.

Now it’s your turn. Ask God to impact your thinking with those words. They are important throughout scripture.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: GOD'S HANDIWORK

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)

Daddy's memorial tree is beginning........

.......to bloom!

My cherry tree, a fluff of white froth.......

......whose cotton candyish petals dust the ground as if a bride had just passed by!

"Zoo-erific"

3/17/12 It's been a zoo around here this past week----no phone, no internet. But God.....showered us with 5 kids everyday, 6 kids most days, plus 8 kids somedays and 2 extra cousins at the zoo one day----and that's just family. Throw in a few neighborhood kids and 3 visiting grands of neighbors and one really does have a zoo. Who would have even had time to "talk" on a phone or shoot out an e-mail!

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for "brothers" to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

Our "zoo" went to the zoo.

A slippery slope-----1 girl among 7 boys, total.

Rough & Tumble

When God sends rain, have boat races in the gutter. 

Day is done, gone the sun----but we "party on" with Pop-Pop around the fire!

Meditation Monday, simply

3/12/12 Today's "God Calling" reminds me that "Simplicity is the keynote of the Kingdom. Choose simple things always." In this entry, one is even advised to always choose simple things and to love the simple. Is that why I have no phone or internet access at home. Should I "thank" Comcast instead of berating them.
What are the simple things I should choose. This week it's a houseful of grandboys.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all else will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Now there's a Bible promise for today that is well worth considering.

Sabbath Snapshots: Looking up

3/11/12 What a view-----always "looking up"to see what His hands hath wrought.

"Praise the Lord! 

Praise God in His sanctuary; 

Praise Him in His mighty expanse."

(Psalm 150:1)

A Texas sunrise that keeps growing......

....and glowing

A cloudy Arkansas (Hwy 70) sky anchored by goldenrod and bare trees.

A waxing moon-----can you see it on the right???

Pink Blooms and Blue Skies

A Tennessee sunset---Longreen view.

BEAUCOUPS OF BLESSINGS

3/8/12
I’ve written mine down for the day----You might want to do the same. Result could be a thankful heart which could result in a grateful spirit. Which could make your entire day one of blessing. Beaucoups of them.
1.     Time with precious Mary Flo, who picked me up at the airport. She certainly knows her way around Love Field. Plus lunch at Celebrity Café & Bakery in Highland Park village---what great memories came flooding back.
2.    My favorite “little" Texans awaiting my arrival.
3.    Buddy and Day
4.    Travel mercies with turbulence induced prayer time on plane
5.    So much to look forward to---book fairs for the boys, (be still my heart) lunch dates at an elementary school and reading aloud to my favorite age groups.

Simplici-TEA

3/7/12 Sometimes it’s good to ease up on the accelerator in life. (1,000 words, Commercial Appeal 2/26/12)

Hearkening to those words, after my “retreating” has me hankering to do just that.

It’s the “cuppa” I hope to drink great draughts from this month, especially in my blog. May it be good medicine for my soul and yours as well.

Saying more with fewer words. Slowing down to consider big ideas from small portions of passages, etc.

Simply tea---though a stronger tea for energy

Flying to Texas today. The next 10 days will be spent with all my Texans in Allen, TX and then driving with them back to Memphis on Saturday. They will be here for Spring Break so-o-o today is probably a great time to start. I also hope to plan more moments of solitude and to find a quiet place where I can focus on God. In the past, sitting with one of the little Texans in my lap during my quiet time has given me a great focus and understanding of the simplici-TEA of His love. A love, that when fully accepted, overlows to others.

TEA WITH THEE.....

3/6/12….in Psalm ninety. (nine-TEA) Nothing much better than a morning with the psalms and a cuppa---both tend to soothe the soul.

Psalm 90 is where I found myself as I am trying to “steep” myself in the Psalms this year. Reading through it the first time, the “tea” elements jumped off the page. There was much to “sip-on”---eterni-TEA, (v.1-2) frail-TEA, (v. 3) gravi-TEA (v.7-8 ) of our iniqui-TEAs, etc.  When I got to brevi-TEA, (v.10-22)I thought what a hard cuppa to swallow for those who don’t know the Lord. Perfect "cuppa" (v.17) is a believer's cup of tea.....favor of the Lord our God, resting upon us and establishing the work of our hands.

Tea with the Lord and my cuppa satisfied.  The simplici-TEA of it all---God’s unfailing love, as shown in His word, satisfies. (Psalm 90:14)

MEDITATION MONDAY: A STERLING IDEA

3/5/12 Having been up to my elbows in silver polish for the last week, I readily understood our BSF leader, Cathy’s, analogy about our spiritual lives being like silver. When company comes, our moms always got out the silver and polished it carefully as a way of welcoming and esteeming our guests. Polished silver reflected the best we had to offer

As part of her teaching on Ephesians 1, Cathy reminded us that as God's children, we are chosen by Him for the "praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:12) Our lives should clearly reflect Him---just like my piece of recently polished silver reflected me, the polisher.

Cathy Crowe's BSF principle, 
“God’s children are chosen to bring Him glory.”

But…..the hard part of the lesson came in the realization that, just like the silver, we can easily tarnish. We too often let circumstances or listening to gossip of others, have us reflecting the world and NOT the glory of God. “Polishing” by God is required. In order for “polishing to take place, we must be in His word. Daily exposure to God’s truth can give us such a shine that once again we reflect Him and His glory.

 “Meditation Monday”  = Time for reflection in His word.

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe..... (Ephesians 1:16-19a)

Her question, “Are there any tarnished places in your life?” Her suggestion, “Ask God to use His word to polish them. What a sterling idea!!