INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY.

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY! Who knew???? I did, Of course.

 My all-time favorite dance partner was Daddy. From following him while standing on the tops of his shoes to dancing at my 45th class reunion between my cancer surgeries, Daddy led me as only he could.

How I miss those times! How I miss him.

THIS IS THE DAY.......

This is THE day...............

I have to admit that lately I haven't a clue what day it is. Most days all "feel" the same.

Though I might not know what day it is, I do know that "this is THE day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it". (Psalm 118:24) 

Hope you rejoice with me.
** Just had to add what a MS reader commented---Notice each day ends in Y---What a comfort to know that our "Y" Yahweh is still with us at the end of each day. Rejoicing with you.

DEFINING THE CROSS

Words from last weeks Good Friday message have me mulling from the Latin to Greek to present day usage, Isn't that the meditative approach for all wordsmith's. Words can go beyond simple definitions--even when there are several parts of speech. Context helps define the usage,

The "cross" mentioned in Good Friday's messages around the world is a good example.

That "cross of Calvary. That cross constructed of cruel Roman timbers.

That cross has affected lives and language throughout centuries.

Excruciating is a word that has its base in the cross. A word used then and now during these coronavirus times as unbearable, physical and mental pain to the point of anguish.

Crux from the Latin means cross as well. Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, says in our times crux is a critical juncture or point in time. Crux is a key idea or event that effects all others--everything hinges on it. 

Together resurrection and cross of Christ are the crux of history of the Christian faith.

Crucial. When something is crucial we cannot ignore it. One must pay attention to it and respond. Mark 10:45 states "For even the Son of Man came not to serve but to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark's words are the good news message which defines the cross---an excruciating death, which is the crux of faith and requires a response. A crucial response which determines the crossroad of your life from this juncture.

To hear 5 minutes of clarity on this topic, please listen to Allen Bible Church pastor, Buddy, with his overview on my YouTube b/c it wouldn't load from my video.

YouTube Buddy Liles

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

For me, I headed out on this sunny day for a "praise walk"---which wasn't too hard because of the full bloom azaleas that glowed as I rounded the first corner........allowing me to see, as I stood still, "the great things that the Lord did before my eyes." (2 Samuel 12:16)

With irises just a few doors down.....

and parents and children decorating for Easter. (1 Peter 1:3, Psalm 130:5, NLT)

Turning west past the sign I entered Temple Israel area of Barbara's Garden and began praising the Lord & praying for my Jewish neighbors to be still and see the salvation of the Lord.(Exodus 14:13-14) 

A slight look to my right and I saw an amazing sight.............

....a cow looking at me from the caretaker's window. What a fun surprise! 

Thankful for fun surprises this Thursday which I can share with my cow loving friend, Doris. 

Sweet Doris who named her blind cow Stevie Wonder!

SOUL FOOD 2020

My March 20, 2020 entry, Attack-a Stack, explained the "creative" way I was extending my quiet times. Today the devotional book at the top of the stack was so timely! Streams in the Desert (L.B. Cowman)

It could have been written TODAY---for such a time as this! A Covid 19 Pandemic times. Copyright laws prevent me from printing it all here.* 

The entry began with scripture, as always. Today's was from 2 Kings 4:4.

Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.

My musings---

A widow with her two sons were to be alone with God. God only. Removed from their circumstances. Totally isolated. A time to get in touch with God alone---to depend on Him. God, the Source of miracles.

Analogy given was that of Christians on the treadmill of life, ordinary, predictable. A time was needed to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith. A time for God to show us something new. Something Divine. A new pattern for life with Him.

Like the widow, "detached from outward things and attached inwardly to the Lord alone in order to see His wonders." --from Soul Food. 

In my life, God isolated me during my cancer journey.(2009) God clearly spoke to me from the MAC diagnosis to a year of surgeries and treatments. I was fed by others, with a syringe through a pencil sized hole in my mouth. Hands of others liquified my food for intake. 

But God.....He, Himself, fed me daily. Soul food straight from His Word. 

My pattern was a D.A.N.C.E.. It's when God taught me "our" DANCE--a dance He had just for me. He became my dance partner and led me in every step. A unique dance. He was there for evey twist and turn. I kept focus---always looking up into His face and not down at my feet. (circumstances) If I did stumble, He was always there to keep me from falling headlong.(Psalm 37:24, NIV)

It became the first big step of fruit bearing for me....as I stepped out & shared my story. 

I will be forever grateful for soul food from His hand and others who became HIs hands and feet on my behalf. (Psalm 27:13, NKJV)

* For the complete God's Pattern-Streams in the Desert, click the highlight.

SOUL FRIEND

Years ago, at least 10, I read a devotional, which I can no longer cite. 

But....amazingly enough, anam  cara, "a wordsmith" term has stuck with me. 

Anam caara. Celtic term for soul friend.

Much more than "bestie" or BFF.

A soul friend for Christians is one, who understands the teachings of Christ and "listens" with her heart! So GRATEFUL for soul friends who walk beside us and help us discern God's path......

----which is always the right path!

When needed, a soul friend, can give needed spiritual advice filled with encouragement and truth, especially at crucial points in life. Often a soul friend has gone through the same suffering or confusion and is able to share personally. A true soul friend is one we can speak openly and honestly with as she helps us to follow God more faithfully.

A soul friend can be trusted because a soul friend trusts in God.

Soul friends can love each other with heart and soul. (1 Samuel 18:3)