CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE THE REFORMATION

On this date 500 years ago (1517),  Martin Luther nailed his "95 " theses for all to see.

On this 500th anniversary of the Reformation some truths, nailed to that All-Saints' door in Wittenberg, stand out to me!

I am not justified by "my" works but my justification is a result of God's grace through the righteousness of Christ, who knew no sin, and died for mine. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24)

1. By Scripture alone
2. Through faith alone
3. In Christ alone
4. To the glory of God alone

Today I choose to celebrate Reformation Day as a reminder to "RETURN TO THE GOSPEL!

CHOOSE: A COZY READ

Temps have dropped. Tomorrow's lesson done. Supper in crockpot.

FINALLY----time to read. Not just any book. I've read so many gut wrenching WWII books lately that I think a "gentle" read is in order. 

A cuppa, Jan Karon's latest book about Father Tim and the residents of Mitford coupled with a full-size quilt and a quiet house beckon me to read. It's sort of like going back home---sometimes you just need to do it to be replenished.

CHOOSE: TO SHARE

Choose to share the secret of joy. 

REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN. (LUKE 10:20)

AMEN. Choose Him and have a great weekend!

CHOOSE: PURPOSE

An oft asked question is what is my purpose on earth?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism identifies "the chief end of man is to glorify the Lord and enjoy Him forever. "

Pondering "my purpose" these few weeks was an exploration of thoughts that went down many trails. 

This morning, the Lord helped me condense my whirring thoughts as I applied my moisturizer. 

Purpose ®, no less. 
A closer look showed me it had a dual purpose---which it took me a while to figure out. 1) Long lasting moisture prevents long -lasting dehydration. For me the  One who is the "living water" keeps me hydrated eternally. (John 4: 14)

2) Provides protection from sun exposure. My protection is lots of exposure to the Son of God. Just like Purpose ®, my purpose is dual as well. Pleasing God is my purpose with two components;to love God and to serve others well!

May my choice please Him.

"May He be pleased by all these thoughts about Him, for He is the source of all my joy." (Psalm 104: 34 (TLB)

CHOOSE: "WHATEVER"

Whatever! Whatever? Maybe I should have been more descriptive in my choice this morning.

Choose, "whatever" without an attitude. For, I'm not talking the cynical "younger set" use as a way of negative compliance or agreement. 

To me it can be sort of a snarly word. A slang for indifference, maybe.

Even Webster's gives "whatsoever" 4 different parts of speech when used in a sentence. But these days "whatever" is a sentence in and of itself. 

Whatever varies greatly according to its usage. Whatever is complicated,

Complicated unless you turn to God's word as my All to Jesus devotional had me doing this morning.

Whatever you do.............

• Commit it to the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3)
• Work hard at it. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
• As unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)
• Do it in His name and be grateful. (Colossians 3:27)
• Do it faithfully. (3 John 5)

Whenever I choose to do "whatever I do," as unto the Lord, I've made the right choice.

CHOOSE: SIMPLICITY

Preparing for this week's Bible Study teaching at Town Village, I have prayed for clarity of message from God's word and application of those truths to shine relationally in their own lives. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

Basically it all boils down to the "simplicity and purity of knowing Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) 

Loving God and sharing God's story in one's life with others. 

God's affirmation came yesterday as I was driving my grandson, O, to school---at the corner of Poplar and Shady Grove/Ridgeway, no less.

Simple truth----Simply put---Shared with others!

What a great reminder to me, as I sip my cuppa simplicity-TEA this morning, to continue to choose simplicity as I prepare to share my story. 

CHOOSE: TO LEAVE A LEGACY

You cannot impart what you do not possess. (Howard Hendricks, DTS)

You leave what you live. Legacy in a nutshell!

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:17-18, ESV)

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (1 Peter 1:12)

A spiritual legacy is what I choose---so that my children and my grandchildren might walk in truth. 

CHOOSE: TEA FOR TWO

Tea for two---had been on my heart as a way of sharing time with a dear widow friend. Yet, an overbooked schedule made that time beyond the limits of my schedule restraints.

But God, heard my heart cries for help and it happened.

"In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."(Proverbs 16:9) David Lloyd-George once said, The true test of a civilization is the way it treats its old people.” Hopefully, in the Judeo-Christian community, care for the aged is seen as both a privilege and a responsibility.

God is there for widows and He wants His people there for them as well. A ministry that is emphasized in the Bible.

Jeremiah 49:11".....let your widows trust in me." 

Psalm 68:5 "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." 

James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

Today's Tea For Two---a choice made possible by the Lord's "overruling and rescheduling" events in my life, was truly an answer to the prayer of my heart. How special to "brew" a cuppa with Miss Ann and enjoy that redeemed time as she regaled me with stories of times gone-by. Times with her Bob in Bloomington, IN when he worked for RCA. 
She smiled as she recalled those times---a smile that I had not seen in a long time.

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CHOOSE: TO TASTE AND SEE

Finding God references in unusual places always delights me. 

I found Psalm 118:24 in an Aldi egg carton several years ago. The verse was written out and though I'd used the product for years, I never "saw the truth" until I so needed that encouragement on 4/12/12.

This morning as I was once again icing cupcakes to take to a friend I noticed Acts 4:12 on the "tub" of Caramel Factory caramel. It was if I was truly noticing it for the first time, though http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2017/01/choose-good-news.html showed me otherwise----a regular occurrence in the minds of folks in their 7th decade. It allows us to be happy all over again, at least that's what my friend, JoLynn tells me.

I love caramel and their icing is better than Mrs. O used to make for me in her black iron skillet. The factory is in Batesville, MS, home of our good friends, the Ferrell's, so we have ready access even though friend, Diane's, Gift Emporium, a Germantown supplier, is now closed.

All that to say, I love it when companies "advertise" their faith.

Though I in no way want to make light of scripture, one of my favorite verses came to mind, "Thy words were found and I ate them and they became for me the joy and delight of my heart." (Jeremiah 15:16)

I love it when a citation can send me to God's word where I can truly choose to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord! "

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CHOOSE: TO SEE

Choose to see what's right before your eyes even if it's in an unusual place in the morning paper.

How blessed we are to have a newspaper that still print's God's word----at least it did today! 

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

One thing for sure, humility is at the opposite end of the self-promoting spectrum and today's verse said absolutely nothing about fame, power or stock market portfolio.

I think a cuppa humil-TEA will go well with today's Bible verse in the Commercial Appeal.

May I choose to ponder what I have seen in print this morning.

CHOOSE: TO RELY

In my weird idiosyncratic way, I have a 3x "heads up" system on appearances of a word, verse or events. If something occurs just once, I probably rarely notice. Two times becomes a head tilt often with an expectation of #3. This past week, the word rely has been on my radar. First seen, In All to Jesus 10/11 devotional entry. At Monday's Prayer for Revival time, our passage was 2 Chronicles 15:1-7, great verses for meditation so relevant to our nation today. Opening my Bible, 2 Chronicles 14:11, on the opposite page already had, "Help us O Lord, our God for we rely on you" underlined, with some words highlighted. Rely emerged again......That's two.......and I WAS counting.
Last night as I finally picked up Sunday's Commercial Appeal to try and calm my mind for bedtime, I came across the Clue for 40 across, "Hinge (on)."

And the answer was.......rely! Of course it was!
Nudged by 3x rule, today I began a word study on rely. A quick glance at my Strong's Concordance (KJV) showed me 14 uses in the parent tense and 2 past tense entries in the Hebrew with 3 uses in the Greek. I'm sure this varies with Bible versions. 
One definition was used over and over---to trust. Therein was my life lesson. 
I need to trust Him rather than relying on my own strength. I am definitely a work in progress but being armed with His word which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:17) is the truth I can "lean on to support one's (my) self" another biblical definition of rely.

In my own life, I have run out of strength in many areas and I need more than ever to rely on Him just as Asa did.

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name....(2 Chronicles 14:11)....

(My paraphrase of the remaining words...."we come against all the multitude," I see multitudes as synonymous for struggles which life can bring, in my life, especially as I age. DAL)
Robert Morgan, author of All to Jesus, says, Rely on the grace of God. He says he can rely on the Lord who is the all-in-all all his life and quotes the verse, "I have relied You all my life." (Psalm 71:6) 

I cannot say that I have relied on the Lord all my life but I can say, I chose to rely on Him today.

CHOOSE: TO PRACTICE SIMPLICITY IN CONVERSATION

Deceit does not please God. God checks the heart for motives. To be honest is marked as being free from deceit. That includes motive.

That's why 1/2 truth is a WHOLE lie when one's motive is to deceive.

O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive! Sir Walter Scott

Scripture advises, let your yes be YES and your no mean NO. Is that simple enough?  (Matthew 5:37) For those who don't keep a tight rein on their tongues even deceive themselves. (James 1:26)

Choose to simply live a life of integrity that pleases God.

CHOOSE: A CUPPA speciali-TEA

Many of us need a good morning cuppa to start the day. For me it can also take on a TEA-rrific element of fun as I love word play!

A "Tea with Thee" quiet time of sorts as God helps me plan my day with my Bible open and my cuppa in hand.

Often the day's agenda helps choose the most needed brew. But.....no matter my plans, I need to ask the Lord to direct my steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB) Sometimes I have such a full schedule, that I cannot see a way to check everything off my list. But God.....

Today's choice for me was a cuppa sensitive-TEA. The Lord directed my FULL schedule so that I was able to spend extra time with a widow friend who needed a listening ear.

I left her sipping a cuppa sereni-TEA!!! PTL!

CHOOSE: TO MAGNIFY YOUR FAITH

Magnifying the Lord is the way to magnify one's faith.

Even sweeter is having that loved one, family or friend, to come alongside and magnify the Lord with you.

That's what fellowship entails. Coming alongside the brethren.

O, Magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:3)

Together in the faith makes it so easy to choose to magnify the Lord.

CHOOSE: POSITIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT MEMPHIS

Watching the "nightly news"can rob me of my joy.
So I continue to subscribe to the Commercial Appeal, my local paper and "look for" good in "my" city, where the Lord has placed me. He determines the "exact places where they (I & you) would live." (Acts 17:26)  I am thrilled when I see hopeful info like last Friday's list of areas all over Memphis where the Tennessee Shakespeare Company would perform "Shout-Out Series" in public spaces. Admission Free. Hubby and I went downtown to Shake(s) Rattle and Roll at Madison Avenue Park. Click here for the TSC Shout- Out schedule. You'll be glad you did!

Who knew there was a park in this itty bitty green space at 151 Madison Ave. ?

They wove Shakespeare into the music and lyrics of Memphis music. Think, Soul Man. Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay and Blue Suede Shoes. Creative!! Great performance---worth the drive!

This morning's CA newspaper had a picture of the performance with the back of hubby's head in the foreground.

I would know that glow in the dark head full of gorgeous white hair anywhere, even from the back, CA  10/11/17 p. 4A

Today's Commercial Appeal made it easy to choose positive thoughts about Memphis. 

CHOOSE : EXACTNESS

How does one choose exactness?
Need a blueprint? Need specifications of where to walk? How to walk?
(Psalm 119:3, Psalm 128:1, Micah 6:8)

An architect's rendering to good relationships?
How to build one another up? There's a a blue print in God's word. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

A voice coach? Choose right words---let yes be yes and no be no---(Matthew 5:37)
....with the right tone and voice inflection.
Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Often in difficult places and conversations, it's important to choose exactness.

CHOOSE: ONE DAY AT A TIME

A daily choice. One day at a time.
Let go of the if only's and the what if's and celebrate the day, one moment at a time. We hear it at every turn. That idea seems to be pasted all over self-help book sections and gift shops display plaques, wood blocks and even tea towels with the message.

Yet, it is not some sweet sentimental thought, it's scriptural.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:34, MSG)

Some churches choose to post it on their message boards.

So....if God's word chooses it and the people of God choose it, it must be a good daily choice to make.

CHOOSE: FRIDAY FUN

It's easy to choose Friday Fun when you're with friends---especially when it has been Friday ever since Tuesday!

God's Word says there is a friend who sticks closer than a bother. (Proverbs 18:24) I have GREAT brothers so these special friends stick with me just as my brothers do. Friends who are there through thick and thin. Friends who "nurse" you through your cancer journey.

Friends who often put your needs above their own. Friends whose very presence blesses your that you might bless others by their example.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

What fun it was to celebrate Friday together for 4 days this week!

CHOOSE: TO BE SURPRISED 10/5/17

You might be surprised at the "theme" of this blog as well as surprised when I get it posted!!
Now you’re probably really surprised b/c this is a Thursday
Blog entry & today is Friday.

CHOOSE: A WORD FOR WEDNESDAY

Blog readers might recall the entry "My One Word" For 2017 my "focused word morphed from joy to choose.
After all most things in life are a choice.
The gist of this Wednesday word is Choose. Choose to make hope-filled choices.

NOTES: Choices based onCarol Kent's presentation at our Girls' Getaway presentation last weekend.

• CHOOSE LIFE. Instead of an emotional death, help others choose life as well---but don't minimize pain. (John 10:10)
• CHOOSE TRUST. Too often we live in fear, not freedom. Freedom comes from knowing how great is our God.  (Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 14:22-36)
• CHOOSE VULNERABILITY. All our longings are open before the Lord; even our sighs are not hidden from Him. (Psalm 38:9) 
• CHOOSE GRATITUDE. In everything give thanks. (1 Chronicles 16:34, 1 Thessalonians 5:18) 
• CHOOSE FORGIVENESS.  Forgive quickly and completely as the Master has forgiven you.(Colossians 3: 13-14, MSG)
• CHOOSE PURPOSEFUL ACTION. Do something new. (Isaiah 43:19) Be open handed in your doing for others. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

A List of 6 hope-filled choices with God's promise of being with you, strengthening and helping you and upholding you with hHis righteous right hand.
Be intentional in your choosing of one uniquely for you this Wednesday.

CHOOSE: THE RIGHT ANSWER

The first "right" answer was easy for someone in her 7th decade!

Are you pregnant? No. 

Would you tell the tech if you thought you might become pregnant? That's a moot point. But it was the admission lady's first day.

Yesterday's blog space holder informed readers that I would share my answers to question, "how does one accept hard experiences without giving into negative emotions," as soon as I was allowed to throw the little "revealing" gown/robe into the "dirty" bin. 

Here's what I learned. 

First of all, I must confess several wrong assumptions based on previous unpleasant mammogram experiences---my visits would mostly keep me at West clinic until mid afternoon. Not yesterday! Quickest time ever. 

Of course, the shock soon gave way to fear that Jennifer, “the smasher,” missed something. It took a bit of time, but chose to see the shorter time-frame as a ”God kiss” and went on about my hectic day.

Also, the “little” gown I have given in the past was replaced with one so large I could have hidden a baby elephant in there with me. Of course, care was still taken to avoid full frontal exposure.

Usually, certain body parts would freeze when they came in to contact with the large machine and I could easily fall over from holding my breath so long. 

No longer the experience. Machine was a bit chilly but I never even had to hold my breath one time.

Mrs. Liles you may get your clothes and sill see you in a year. What? 

"No extra pictures or ultra-sounds? Those are a part of my routine." 

Obviously, not this time.

Given my little pink sheet I quickly, stuffed it in my “tote" and didn’t read the fine print until later. I saw normal/ negative. Then I saw the "dense" column was checked and they weren’t talking about my thinking process. GULP. 

“Denseness of breast tissue made it harder to evaluate and may also be associated with an increased risk of cancer. Report will be sent to your doc and together you can decide options right for you."

Maybe they were just covering their tracks or passing the buck, based on previous law suits.

But God reminded me that a "new" worry was not today's answer. He is the One who is the answer so once again I choose to trust Him  (Psalm 38:15)

CHOOSE: LITTLE PINK PAD

Cancer Center.

Choose the little pink pad. Sounds simple enough.

But.....how do you choose the Pink Pad without also choosing anxiety, dread for the procedure without fear of the outcome?

So....how does one choose reality of a hard place moment without exacerbating the situation with negative emotions? Here's my list.

• Battle those fearful thoughts with the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)
• Know that the spirit of fear is not from God. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• Remember God’s goodness in a past cancer journey or difficulty and tell others. (Psalm 145:4)
• Recall God’s omnipresent promise. (Isaiah 41:10)

Give up the “what if it’s cancer” tremors and exchange it for “even if it’s cancer,” I know God can use it for good. (Move from “what if” to “even if” thinking---a tip I learned from Carol Kent)

Choosing the little Pink Pad was something to lead me to results I had no control over so........"when I am afraid," it's wise to put my trust in the hands of the One who is truly in control. (Psalm 56:3)