"Star of the Week"

10/31/13 For a kindergartener, it's the best week EVER! "Star of the Week!"
A special SOTW bag for your chair. Pictures from your whole life (5+ years worth) on a big poster for all to see. Family can join you for lunch. Parents can come and read a story to the class.  Can "stump" the class during Show and Tell with the rhyming "brag bag." Ah-h the thrills of childhood stardom

"Officer Buckle and Gloria," one of "star" Owen's favorite books

Sufficient unto the day….

10/29/13 Study Notes & Marginalia

Worry = unnecessary anxiety----Worry happens when we lose sight of our loving Father’s care. Worry is lack of trust in God’s care. (Cathy Crowe)

Anxiety=afraid of what might happen. (Wayne Smith)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; worry empties today of its strength. (C. Crowe)

So don't waste your moments or your hours. Trust God!

Sufficient unto the day----our troubles and worries.   

But God….is the all Sufficient One.

Pick your Version

10/28/13 Meditating on scripture can bring a depth of understanding. Sometimes just reading a different translation of the same verse or passage can shed new light.

This weeks meditation came from my Atlanta friend, Katherine, who said she was praying this verse, Psalm 143:8, for me. What a blessing. What a verse. What a wealth of legitimate translations. /what a blessing to pass on as I have prayed this for others who are facing decisions and desiring God's good and perfect will in their choices. 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (NIV)

Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. (CEV)

Hurry with your answer, God!
    I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!
    That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
    I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
    I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—
    you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,
    because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
    into cleared and level pastureland. (Message, in context)

Pick your version and allow God to show you the truth He has just for you.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "TWO"

10/27/13 Guess who turns two today? LUCY!!!!! A 2 year old who loves dinosaurs and can fluently "read" a book with no text----yet, with understanding and appropriate voice inflections.

Jesus---Active Verb Tense of Life

10/16/13  Recently seeing the Spanish for John 1:1, I was struck that the Spanish for word is verb. Though I don't speak Spanish, past ¡hola!---that translation spoke volumes to me. (La Biblia de las Américas) 

He who is the Word, is also the verb. I know it's in a much broader sense and allows a little license with grammar usage..... BUT, it speaks to me! His continuous action in the lives of believers.

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Juan 1

EN el principio era el Verbo, Dios y el Verbo era con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios

 In the verb tenses of life, Jesus has always been, is ever present and will always be. 

Past. Present. Future.

D-Day

10/24/13  Fortified with chocolate and tea, I go forth in my day. 

Is any of that spiritual? NO! 

Is it healthy? NO! 

Does it make me feel better? Yes, at least a little bit around the edges. Sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do.....tea & chocolate!

But God.....I have also prayed Proverbs 3: 5-6 as I seek God's direction for some important decisions.

Even Dove Chocolate gave me a reminder....
"Happiness is in the heart, not in our circumstances."

Armed with verses, from "astute" Aggie in France, I head out the door.....for D-Day, my day of reckoning.

Psa. 27:1 Isa. 26:3. Psa. 112:7-8 Psa. 56:3. Psa. 27:5,6 I Pet. 5:10-11.

GOD'S LIGHT without the GLARE

10/23/13 Prepping for my upcoming “Heart To Heart” Bible study lesson, I have become so aware of the need to “sit in the light.”  The light of the Presence of the Lord. This requires the disciplines of solitude, silence, listening and meditation. I’m convicted that I need to SLOW down my life in order to do this. Distractions, even good ones, need to be tempered.

Full Hunter's Moon

Last week (10/18/13) this difficulty was evident in a somewhat ordinary real life situation. There was a glorious moon out and I wanted a full view of this incredible FULL moon. But…..the glare of the streetlight obscured my view.

A glaring, harsh light distracted me from seeing God’s light of the night. It reminded me of the distractions I was facing each day as I tried to seek ”light” from His word. Sometimes the busyness and distractions of the world seem blinding, inescapable even, especially when I’m trying to seek the One who is the “Light.”

A change of direction was needed. I had to take action. In my study time I had to disconnect from the strong overwhelming pull of the blinking light of all my electronic devices and even my old land-line. Just like I had done the night of the Hunter’s Moon.*

That night I had to go to the back yard where it was not only dark but also quiet in order to see and fully appreciate the splendor of that moon. No Glare. Distractions removed. View accomplished. Wowed by God’s handiwork!

* The next morning as I went out to get the newspaper, the moon, though not as brilliant, was still very much in view because the streetlights had faded.
God's light without the glare.

"LIGHT." "Camera." "SMILE."

10/22/13

Armed with only a Canon point and shoot, I take a picture that makes me smile.

Yet, photographer Molly, searches out the light because “Light in photography" is everything, according to her. Always embrace the light. She uses her eye to do that but her “eye” is supported by her textbooks and course manuals that taught her “light meters read and photographers interpret.” Light can actually stir the soul.

Philosophically, all of that photography jargon seems analogous with the theology of those who see Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. (John 8:12) The important Light. The Light that gave definition to creation (Genesis 1:3) and stirs the soul. Knowing the One who is Light is everything to a Christian.

Sometimes just seeing light captured in creation reminds me of the One who created that light... 

…..and I simply smile.

TONGUES FLAPPING

10/21/13

“…tongues flapping in the breath. “ Like flags flapping in the wind, they “snap.”

Does your tongue have a “bite” to it? Maybe, like a horse, it needs a bit to rein it in. 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

“I probably shouldn’t say this….”              Then DON’T!

"Bite your tongue, before it bites someone else." (C. Huffman, 10/6/13)

Make your words count. Use your tongue to edify others---to build them up & to  encourage them.  

Submit your tongue to the Lord. Allow Him steer your words in order to avoid unnecessary or hurtful “flapping and snapping.” (in context, James 3:1-10)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS:HOPE #3

10/20/13 An equation of hope revisited.....

My Dismay + His Presence = Hope

A hope this side of heaven for both our physical and our spiritual well-being. An eternal hope, as well. Hope can come to us through God's Word, prayers, encouragement of others and ordinary things viewed from a new perspective.

A Tableau of Hope
 for all to see as they travel east on Poplar Avenue toward Germatnown, TN

Pass it On

10/19/13 Hooray---"My"Target didn't have any Jesus Calling in Spanish left on their shelves, but Lifeway Christian bookstore did. What a thrill to pass it on to someone who will cherish it as I do. Two more copies are headed to Mexico, as well. 

Oftentimes daily devotional books aid us in "our times of soaking before God, being rooted and grounded in HIm.....that we can remain faithful to Him whatever happens." (My Utmost for His Highest, 10/19)

Patty with her copy of

Jesús te llama: Encuentra paz en su presencia

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

EQUATIONS

10/17/13 I don't "do" numbers well. Number equations would be over my head----BUT word equations, I "get." Especially word equations with spiritual connotations.

Carolyn Down's H2H lesson last night included equations that made sense to me.

• My weakness + His Presence = STRENGTH 
• My fear + His Presence = COURAGE 
• My Dismay + HIS Presence = HOPE

My conclusion was that God's Presence must be factored into all situations. The variables in my life can change but if I want the "correct/positive answer," I must always remember that God's Presence is the highest common factor. That's not even tricky for me to figure out.

GP(God's Presence) = S(strength)+ C(courage) + H(hope) and 

GP(God's Presence) + S(strength) + C(courage) + H(hope) = GR (God's Rest)

Wordwise I get all of that......but I don't know how to factor those two equations into a whole expression----I just know how to live it.

WHY BLOG?

10/15/13 

I often ask myself the "why blog"question. I often ask God that same question. 

Partial answers include; 

• helps organize and clarify my own thoughts, 
• to answer spiritual questions others ask of me, 
• because God hasn't let me stop blogging, 
• to make a difference for someone-somewhere out there in cyber-space.

And then today 2 scriptures jumped out at me, as I prepared a lesson, reminding me of a very personal reason to blog. (emphasis and underlining are mine)

Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18)

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (2Peter 1:12-15)

So....maybe a big reason I blog, is for my grands and great grands, that they might know truth from God's word from their, Shug. (grandmother)

Why blog?

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 2)

I blog to know such joy---that they (Nathan, Noah, Caleb, John Parker, Andrew Owen & Lucy & their offspring) might know true joy.

PLEAS FOR PLEASING GOD....

10/14/13 "There's a Psalm for That" entry last spring had me "camped-out" in Psalm 5. Today I'm there again, tho I'm at a different place in my life. Thus, today's verses for meditation are different.

Listen (give ear) to my words, Lord, consider my sighing. (lamenting lit. meditation)
Listen (consider) to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear (heed) my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (eagerly watch, lit. look forward) (Psalm 5:1-3)

In this psalm one sees David's refusal to "stumble about stoop-shouldered, carrying his burdens throughout the day." (Living the Psalms, p. 17) Instead, he takes his needs to the Lord each morning.

Shouldn't I (you) do the same? Shouldn't my (your) pleas be about pleasing Him in every situation?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: a "looking" perspective

10/13/13 Cousins Owen(6) and Lucy (almost 2) rarely see each other----Memphis and Brooklyn are 1,100+ miles apart. But...this past weekend they spent a good bit of time together. What a joy it was to watch Owen "looking out" for his young cousin and for little Lucy to "look up" to him. She not only looked up to him, she tried to "keep up" with him as well. Fun to watch!

Hula Hoop lessons

Lego® lesson gone awry

Tree climbing lesson

Encouragement from the top

Day 1---Golf Cart lesson 

Demonstrating eating Whirley-Pop® popcorn by the handfuls

Smaller hands but just as full 

Pumpkin decorating demo w/ "sticky" cut-outs

Re-arranging "sticky" pumpkin cut-outs.

Decorating Owen with "sticky" cut-outs instead of the pumpkin 

Day 3--Independent golf cart driving. Shoes helped----it's all about the accessories.

SATURDAY SMILES

10/12/13 Somethings just make your heart smile....

Cousin Hugs

Wedding Celebrations--Congrats to Les and Ashley

and tears of joy well up......time to love. (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

PERFECT ARRIVAL

10/11/13 A perfect arrival, in terms of air travel, is early! It was still almost 10 pm Brooklyn time but Lucy was awake and even entertaining, between yawns. Plus. she was up bright and early today and ready for a "tea party."

Thanks Delta Airlines for an early arrival and thank you Lord for keeping those predicted thunderstorms at bay.

A cuppa for Lucy----

A cuppa for Owen

"TEA for TWO"....more tea, Owen? Yes, please.

SAFE PLACE

10/10/13 Everyone needs a safe place. A refuge. Is there such a place in our world anymore? 
Sometimes one needs more than bricks and mortar to provide safety from the enemies of the mind; fear, insecurity, anger, doubt, depression, jealousy, and anxiety.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)

God and His Word----a safe place. 

MEMO: RE Complaining

10/9/13 

MEMO

To: All with a tendency to complain

RE: DON'T COMPLAIN

CC: Those who need ears to hear

 Jesus Calling's entry (Sarah Young, 10/9) reminds readers that God wants us to talk to Him about our difficulties. He understands our stresses and strains and our struggles. When we talk to Him, He hears and we gain a new perspective----His.

HOWEVER, complaining to others opens the door to self-pity and anger.

Remember "complaint" is NOT a spiritual gift.

 

Complaining is straight from the "pit".....piercing us with self-PITy!

Soothing.....

10/8/13 Sometimes soothing scriptures & a cuppa can make the night times easier. When one has lived

Psalms 16: 5-8, Psalm 37:23-24, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 12:12 then they just need to once again turn their thoughts back to God and His Word.

But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

Savoring God's Word. Sipping a calming tea. Soothing.

Hopeful Meditation #2

10/7/13 Having prayed earlier in the day for family members remembering the death of their daughter on this date 18 years ago, to praying later with a mom whose daughter is ministering in the Guerrero area of Mexico after the recent devastating floods, I entered Memphis funeral home. A young wife will bury her 42 year old husband tomorrow.  Their two young children are left without a daddy because he was robbed and shot, possibly by teenagers trying to "prove" themselves.

Hope in Him. Can you see it---before the time runs out.

All of these families need hope.
A future and a hope offered in God's word.

....the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness---a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. (Titus 1:1-2, NIV)

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:18-19, NLT)

Hopeful = full of hope. That's what
these verses offer.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Simple Fun

10/6/13 Creating something from nothing or using the ordinary in unique ways is what childhood is all about. Never rob child of his/her childhood has alway been my very vocal philosophy.

Decorating the magnolia tree with hula hoops---what a colorful idea!

Popping corn with Shug's Whirly-Pop and sharing it on a make-believe ride to the zoo---another unique idea

Owen tricks the adults. We all thought someone was underneath. NOT!
 Just a pair of empty shoes and some pillows.

FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTENT

10/5/13 I know the idiom uses familiarity breeds "contempt." A way of stating that less is more---with people, or even as one experiences something a lot. But....I like my word choice better.

After months of fun, with almost non-stop travel activities, it's good to be home.......

and the past few weeks I have been more than content with the ordinary----the familiar. 

My house. My prayer chair. My 3 three squishy bed pillows. My sharpened pencils. My sweet tea. My mundane mornings.

So familiar, so content.

Aging Adages

10/4/13 We all know the old age adages. Especially those of us with our Medicare cards.

Old age....  : 

-is NOT for sissies.

-is better than the alternative.

-comes at an inconvenient time.

-mellows some people, others it makes rotten.

-carries an inflexible mind set by people who don't care what you think.

I know I am aging because.... of doc appts. on my  "At-A-Glance" calendar

• one doc has me keeping a "dizzy data" diary, 
• another doc has me keeping a "tinkle" tally AND
• when I returned to my car AGAIN to get something I needed for my doc appt., I left my purse on top of the trunk.

I think I should have scheduled  a dementia doc---geriatrician on aging, or a neurologist.

I, and others, "could despair" (Psalm 27:13) with all the aging changes.  But God....has us "one anothering." Encouraging "one another" thru funny emails and cards about bathing suit shopping and frying bacon in the nude---just like old age, you know it's going to hurt----you just don't know where. Even scripture to lift our spirits. 

...though our outward man may perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ..........(2 Corinthians 4:16)

I prefer that encouraging word from scripture rather than the adages of aging. 

3 Ws

10/2/13  3 Ws  were blog thoughts that wandered away after I headed to bed last night. Regrettably, I think the first one was worry----thus the headache that had me to "take to the bed." Possibly the second W was wait. Certainly waiting is a more spiritual activity than worry. Worry is a lack of trust. Worry is sin.
Waiting on God for direction can sometimes be difficult, especially for "doers"......for those who prefer answers sooner rather than later. Yet, today as I tried to recapture the Ws from the recesses of my memory, I realized that God was waiting on me. Waiting for me to give up the worry and trust Him in the situation that loomed with unknowns.

Once that happened, wisdom arrived all the way from France. Words of wisdom via God's child. So timely....but then His timing would be, wouldn't it?

An email arrived from Aggie to ask about the absence of the 3 Ws blog text, AND to share truths she gleaned from from her Lydia prayer cell's meditation of Psalm 67, especially the first 2 verses. To her it was just a way of sharing today's meeting, which is similar to our prayer for revival group. To me it was God-speak. (Even the cross ref to the Numbers verse was one used by me in  9/16 & 9/18 blog entry)

1 May God have pity on us and bless us!

 May he smile on us. Selah  (Numbers 6:24-26)

2 Then your ways will be known on earth,

your salvation throughout all nations.

She added: What stood out to me was the fact that when we are in trouble or testing, we - I - tend to ask God for the way out, "O God, help me!  Send your light and blessing and grace."  But vs 2 makes it clear that the purpose of God's intervention and blessing is (also) for the purpose of making Him and his ways known to those around us, and to the ends of the earth.

Aggie didn't have a clue what I was facing but God knew.

When I replied to her with my situation concern, she sent more wisdom gleaned from others along her life path.

"WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE."

She also wrote:  I wish that a lesson learned once is permanently acquired.  Not necessarily.  One time I said to a retired pastor, "I get discouraged because I get the impression that I'm always going through the same things, same lessons and spinning my wheels.  He replied, "No, Agnes.  It's a spiral and each time we go through a lesson we move on, and upward.  If we come to what seems like the same thing again, it is on a different level, because we are moving on in the Lord, growing in grace." That was SUCH an encouragement to me!  God is good, He is faithful. 

That's it---the 3rd W---came to mind.

WORSHIP---He is worthy.

He, who is good and faithful and waits patiently on me to give my burden of worry to Him, is worthy of worship.