Senior Moment

11/30/12  This blog had a beginning and a verse from a song that had whirred around in my head.  I even attempted to scratch out the notes on a bedside pad. It was dark and only about 3 letters made the pad. I don't have a clue what they meant. That's why I had to originally post the date as the title----hoping I would soon retrieve those original thoughts. I never did. 
Why would a thought/idea that seemed so important just fade away?
It happens often lately with all those annoying little things like wondering what I came into a room for or where on earth I put my keys, when I try so hard to be diligent and keep up with them. But not this....not a writing idea that seemed to have some "substance to it. Frankly it un-nerved me so much that I tried to find solace in the scriptures.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; (Lamentations 3:22-23a)

My mind might not be totally gone but it's certainly on a downhill slide. So.....I need to focus on what is permanent----God's mercy and compassion and understanding because so much else  seems to be failing.
We all laugh at senior moments but sometimes they are NOT so funny.

"WALK-ALONG-SIDERS"

11/27/12 "WALK-ALONG-SIDERS" I heard that term from a recent Allen Bible Church's, Buddy Liles sermon. It has resonated in my thoughts ever since. We all need such folks in our Christian walk. We also need to be such a person for others.
The Christian life is NOT to be lived in isolation. Relationships in the faith are vital.
Hebrews 3:13 says it well.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

We all need "walk-along-siders!"

Worthy Meditation

11/26/12 A somewhat recent blog comment from Aggie T.(from France) has impacted my thinking for several weeks now. Her comment dealt with living a life of faith and what that looks like to others. She recalls hearing a the comment, "Don't answer questions that people aren't asking you, BUT (emphasis, mine) live in such a way that people will ask you questions (about your faith in, or walk with, God." God's word exhorts us to do that. To live a "worthy" life.

so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls…(I Thessalonians 2:12)

What would such a life look like to you? 

Does your life look like that to others? 

Does anyone every comment or ask about your faith or the hope that is in you?

The verse and the questions are worthy of consideration.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Thanks & giving

11/25/12 Thankful to have time with a grandchild over the weekend and grateful for all the places where one can easily give to St. Jude

THANKS MALCO theaters for supporting St. Jude!

Owen was thankful for a "fun" Pop-Pop who took him to ride a camel!

Admission was giving cans of food to the Memphis Food Bank---thankful for that kind of giving.

Owen met the STAR, Carley, after the performance. She gave a great performance and Owen loved the play!

THANKS AND GIVING

11/22/12 "Give thanks with a grateful heart......"   And what does that look like? According to Marlo Thomas it looks like a donation to St. Jude. I have to agree with her.

Knowing the family of the child (Ingram) whose face graces the billboard in Times Square and in the Martha Stewart magazine along with knowing 5 yr. old Michael B. from Oak Grove, IL, who will return in a month for his quarterly scans, I see St. Jude as an AMAZING place. St. Jude doctors have been diligent in finding just the right meds for these two young men. Their families are ever so grateful for every extra day they have been given. Michael's mom and her sisters helped raise over $360,000 for St. Jude thru their "Dream A Little Dream Fashion Show" & Ingram's two young sisters (elementary age) have raised $200,000 since April in their "Conquer Cancer" campaign. 

If you looked around your Thanksgiving table today and were grateful for your kids or grandkids, how about choosing to give thanks by honoring all St. Jude's neuroblastoma patients, like these two, Super hero Michael (Batman) and Ingram the Conquerer with a donation.

Thank God for your blessings and then you can  click here to donate and thus give a blessing to others.

BUCKET BECKONINGS.....

11/20 12 .....the RED one, that is. 

Michèle Phoenix, my fellow MAC cancer sister, never "bypasses" a RED bucket. She always puts something in! I learned that last year when I met up with her in the "windy city." There are lots of RED buckets in Chicago. As a single gal starting up a new stateside ministry, after years on foreign soil, I'm sure her pockets aren't the deepest. Possibly not giving out of her abundance but out of her need. What an example!

You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

This year I plan to follow suit. Won't you join me?

Let's allow the Salvation Army RED Bucket to beckon us all.

True Meditation

11/19/12 Returning from the mission trip to India, Hickman E. said that MANY in India worship in spirit but NOT in truth. There are many gods, hundreds, if not thousands, of personal gods in the faiths of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. The sacred cow came to my mind.

Christianity calls one to worship One True God and to worship in "Spirit and in Truth."

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."(John 4:24)

So how does one find truth. John 14: 6 gives that answer. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Meditate on that "truth."

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Sanctuary Revisited

11/18/12 In Genesis 12:8, Abraham built an altar after pitching his tent between Bethel and Ai. Bethel is a symbol for communing with God and Ai is the symbol of the world. That's right where we all live today---between quiet times with God and the clamors of the world. That's why we need a Bethel-type "sanctuary." A place to meet with God.

Inside St. George's sanctuary--seeking to capture His created "light." 

Even our soul can become a sanctuary where we fellowship with the Lord, the God and Father of our universe. Sometimes it just takes pulling away to a quiet place---an outside sanctuary to nurture our soul, an inside sanctuary.

Outside sanctuary--seeking "light" from His Word thru prayer and meditation.

"a spot of tea"

11/17/12 humiliTEA---I still need a few more little sips. 

As I was closing my NIV Bible this morning, I noticed on the frontispiece a "defining" note. Son Buddy's definition for humility, which he called the "key to life."

Humility is a "right" estimation of our life/ self toward God and others. Eyes to see eternal perspective is key to humility. Self turned toward God and others so affirmed what I sensed the Lord started teaching me as I prepared the James chapter 4 lesson. He continues to "show" me that true humility doesn't conclude with a life turned toward God.....but God would have my love and esteem for Him to continue to turn toward others. 

It's a reiteration of my "roots and fruits" musings. A heart "rooted" in humility of love and esteem for the Lord bears the fruit of love and service to others.

"Still sipping on that truth, today."

ANAGRAM ANALOGY

11/16/12 Game icons on my iPad are few---and only 1 of the 6 is mine, and I don't even play it very often. My friend, Ann Martin, introduced me to Whirly Word---an APP for a puzzle game that starts with 6 letters for the player to make as many words from those letters as you can. Accepted words appear as they are entered. Nothing high tech. I don't even keep the sound on. One can play it alone---or with a friend looking over your shoulder, not one out in cyberspace. When you're stuck, you can press whirl and the letters change positions. Sometimes with that simple change of perspective, clarity comes.

 In this game, the first word I saw was "Shug."  In an Urban Dictionary, shug is short for sugar. My Daddy's nickname for me was Sugar so that's exactly why my "grands" call me "Shug." Whirly Word wouldn't accept it.

A recent revelation came from a "new" similar game. The letters were
e t  s  l  n i. 
There were five 6-letter words listed as possibilities on that grid. "Listen" came easily. Enlist. Inlets. I needed to whirl.
A "whirl" could give me a new perspective.

I moved those letters around. SILENT jumped out at me. Silent---the adjective that describes a person on one side of a conversation. If I indeed listen attentively, with the purpose of hearing, during my prayer conversations with the Lord, I need to be silent.

Anne Graham Lotz said it well when describing how we "hear" God's voice. "We "silently" listen with our eyes open on the page of our Bible." (my paraphrase)

VISIBLE CONVICTIONS

11/14/12 CONVICTIONS! Do you have any? Are they visible to others?

Sweet friend, Kathi Wright, came by a set of convictions the "hard way." Having lost nephew, Kyle Kiihnl, as a result of a somnolent student driver. (Both students at Houston High & a great tragedy for both families.)

Kathi has been standing firm on her conviction to save lives by creating an awareness of the consequences of driving while drowsy. Fund raising thru the “Eye Opener 5k” has raised funds for a memorial scholarship in Kyle’s name for an “exceptional” wrestling student at the school. They also provide literature with statistics to increase awareness of the tragic results of driver fatigue. Kathi is boldly "standing up" for her heartfelt conviction.

While traveling I-40 recently, I saw evidence of Kathi’s conviction. A blinking message. A reminder that if folks don’t drive while drowsy, then falling asleep at the wheel won’t result in a death.

Growing up I always heard that “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. With that memory, the flashing sign on I-40 and a weekend message on “My Heart’s Cry for MORE Courage in My Convictions” coupled with yesterdays jury duty time, I began to ask myself about my spiritual convictions.  
Am I standing up and standing out in the world with my spiritual convictions? Or….do I have a case of “spiritual anemia” and I’m just blending in with the world around me?

Jesus is God. He is NOT God jr…. but fully man, fully God and He gave His life for my (your) sin. May my blog never slur the integrity of that truth.

Ask yourself, “How visible are my spiritual convictions? Are they so evident they appear to be flashing as on an interstate message board?”

Meditating to Hear from God

11/12/12 I so-o-o agree with a recent post of Cole Huffman about what makes a great Bible teacher. In describing a great teacher, Cole says, “When I think of John Hannah (DTS prof) in particular, I’m drawn to want more of God — the best thing that can be said of any teacher. Listening to him pray before each class was a clinic in how to step into Heaven.”

This weekend I heard great Bible teaching from Anne Graham Lotz---she even went to preaching! Her daddy, Billy Graham, describes her as the BEST teacher in the family. Her goal for the weekend was for each participant to discover an intensely personal relationship with the God who is wholeheartedly pursuing more of you.

Friday night’s session, “My Heart’s Cry for MORE of HIS Voice in My Ear,” was taken from John 10:1-10

1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech,but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As you meditate on this ask yourself: 

• Who are the sheep? 
• Who are the thieves and robbers? 
• Who is the Shepherd? 
• What is the sheep pen? 
• Who is the gatekeeper/watchman? 
• What is the door? 
• What is a full life and who gives it?

We, as His sheep, want to “hear” from God. How will we know when the voice is authentic? What do we do once we hear?

My Jottings that stood out: 

• An authentic voice is Biblical, personal and powerful. 
• When I hear His voice, I need to heed His voice. 
• LISTEN for God’s voice with your eyes on the page of your Bible. 
• It is from Him that I have life in abunDANCE! 
• A life of abunDANCE is both life-saving & life changing because it comes from my Good Shepherd.

By Cole's definition, Anne Graham Lotz (for me) is a great teacher because I’m drawn to want more of God when I sit under hear instructions from God's Word.

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: A MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE

11/11/12 These pics will probably speak for themselves of the beauty of His creation and the importance of worshipping together with those in "the household of faith."

Lake Junaluska, NC---Carolyn Ferrell will recognize---from ? (1963, CMF)

Memorial Chapel at UMC Conference and Retreat Center at Lake Junaluska

Pilgrim Inn at Billy Graham Training Center at "The Cove" in Ashville, NC

The Chatlos Memorial Chapel at The Cove---a mountain sanctuary nestled under a canopy of colorful autumn trees with antique pews from the Royal London Society for the Blind, and chandeliers of handcrafted wrought iron

Drawn to kneel in prayer as I "lifted mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

PROCLAIMING FROM THE MOUNTAINTOPS...

11/9/12 So much to share---so little time and virtually no service---and that seems to be a "good" thing.
Anne Graham Lotz is so-o-o inspiring. Can't wait to share.
To prepare, read Luke 24:27-35 and ask the Lord to speak to your heart. Use the "formula" we've used for meditation.

• What does the passage say? (just the facts)
• What does it mean? 
• What does it mean to me?
• What am I going to do with what I have learned? (Record and date the part to hold self accountable)

It's all part of the process of learning to hear the authentic voice of God?

Do you hear me, Dotsy?

"In pursuit...."

11/8/12  Walking out the door to join dear friend and prayer buddy, JoLynn (& later w/ Wynellen ) as we begin our long awaited trip to "The Cove." (Billy Graham Training Institue in Asheville, North Carolina) We are attending an Anne Graham Lotz seminar to "discover an intensely personal relationship with the God who is wholeheartedly pursuing more of you."

Isn't that comforting---when we're in pursuit of more of Him, we realize He is whole (not 1/2) heartedly pursuing us. 

Will be in pursuit of "hot spots" while there in order to share all that God shows me----or not, it will depend on His leading. I might just spend lots of time with Him "lifting up mine eyes unto the hills." All who know me know I am a mountain girl and I love those mountains of North Carolina!

Would appreciate "in pursuit " prayers from all my readers.

Time Concept

11/7/12 Sweet "faith friend" Sally Klinke told me that as a young person her mom was always telling her that she had NO concept of time. I, on the other hand, have been told by my family members that I am time compulsive. We are both "working" on these areas.

In recent years it seems that all women are driven one way or another by time---living (or struggling) by another's idea of perfect timing, dealing with amounts of time, too much time taken up by "urgencies of work or needs of others, too little time for all the world says we SHOULD accomplish and much too  little time available for relationships with family and friends. And oh yea----did I mention God!

God's "time economy" is different from ours. There is always enough time to accomplish all that He requires---time allotted for His purposes.

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
    and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
    for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
    and shower righteousness upon you.’ (Hosea 10:12, NLB)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added (given) unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

All things. Even time. Previous verses in that chapter remind us that it's the Lord who grants our life span (time). 

This week within the time which He granted me, I found that seeking Him first (before the onslaught of    my virtually impossible schedule) resulted in an amazing conclusion. Time redemption. It wasn't why I sought Him, but God....gave it to me anyway.

A new concept of time. Time Redemption. It's His to give and He does, when we seek him FIRST!

In the Groove

11/5/12 Today’s morning paper, Commercial Appeal, informed me that this is “Memphis Geek Week” and folks should “get your geek groove on.” Wow, I don’t think I even have enough techy savvy to have a “geek groove.” The Wall Street journal also reported today on the “kats” of New York getting back in the “jazz groove” in the aftermath of the storm. (Hurricane Sandy) Pretty sure I don’t have one of those grooves either. MoTown, yes---jazz, not so much.

Wonder if there has ever been a God Week in Memphis? Have folks ever been encouraged to “get their God groove on?” What manifestations or attributes would our world associate with one who has a visible “God groove?”

Possibly young people would be more likely to “picture” or understand one in a geek groove or a jazz groove than a God groove.

How can God’s children have a deep enough “God groove” for it to be recognizable by others?

God’s Word has given us a picture of all we need for life and godliness---our God Groove, it starts with Him.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, (2 Peter 1:3)

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! (Psalm 119 1-5)

Godliness is the reverence for God, awareness of His sovereignty over every aspect of life, and one’s determination to honor him in all his conduct.

Reverence for God---those three words pretty much sum up a “God Groove”---get in that groove and live it out so others will know what it looks like.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Bye-Bye Summer Bounty

11/4/12 Wednesday marked the last day for my favorite farmer's market sales---some folks had already called it quits. The "chestnut lady" was there selling the nuts harvested from the grounds of the Botanic Garden---now there's a labor intensive event, & I couldn't resist touching that brown prickly shell. 

Enjoy my final "visual" harvest bounty---I can affirm that the foods were as good as they looked. My tomato sandwich, slathered in Helmanns, was so juicy that it dribbled all down my chin.

Oh how I'm gonna miss my fresh veggies. The yearly anticipation makes the summer bounty that much tastier!

Gourds---just colorful eye candy 

Season has long past for the morels but the portobellos, shiitakes ,

oysters and chanterelles were available. 

What color---looks good enough to eat and they were.

Only thing added to this meal was some cornbread.

Meeting God---addendum

11/3/12 This morning's "timely" email from dear friend Margie Hornor, was a great addition to yesterday's "Meeting God" blog. Knowing that I'm headed to The Cove this week to hear Anne Graham Lotz teach, she replied, "Anne Graham Lotz is one of my favorites.  I once heard her say that she believes God is a gentleman and wants to be invited into our lives."

What a perfect reminder for those of us contemplating quiet times on a higher plane. Many folks have times of quiet reflection----a time of introspective consideration of one's own thoughts or emotions, often apart from God. It's self-examination and even self exaltation. That's NOT the kind of quiet time I referred to yesterday.

If one wants to meet God in a time of quiet intimacy, the key is asking him in. First there is the asking Him into one's heart as Savior but then there is the daily communion with Him where it's still important to "invite" Him to join in. He would delight in the invitation.

So....don't forget to "invite" him to meet with you at your quiet place. 

MEETING GOD????

11/2/12 In his book, Meeting God in Quiet Places, F. LaGard Smith tells of meeting God on his daily meanderings through the footpaths of the Cotswolds. It’s in these quiet places that Smith found refreshment for his soul and insight into the very heart of God.

Where do you meet God?

Is there a place that draws you to Him?

Scripture reminds us that if we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. (James 4:8)

In the summer months, my red Adirondack chairs beckon me. Two chairs side-by- side. I call them the “Thy and my” chairs---because I seek to hear from Him there---through prayers, reading and meditating upon scripture, and by simply being still. Listening and waiting upon Him---hard to do at times because, for me, even the quiet can get LOUD! Yet, it’s during those times of being still that I most often receive clear impressions of a message the Lord might be trying to teach me.

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46-10a)

In the colder months, my prayer chair beckons me. Again it’s a place that draws me to stop and get to know Him better. It hasn’t always been that way---even though said chair was in a very visible place. My heart was not as attuned to Him. 

I was “caught up short” on this week’s neighborhood walk when I saw two Adirondack chairs that could have once been used as "Thee and Me" chairs---but no longer. They looked as if all human contact had deserted them. It was a telling, gripping tableau for me. When we draw near to God, He is always there BUT when we don’t show up, signs of destruction are everywhere.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Don’t let your space for meeting with God get shoved aside. Such a space for peaceful intimacy with God is crucial for facing the onslaught of one’s busy lifestyle.

Abandoned. Dusty. Falling apart. Overgrown with weeds that block the beauty.

Where do you meet for quiet connection with God?. Your answer to this question speaks volumes about your spiritual life.