GUESS-S-S-S WHAT DAY IT IS?

The pictures should be your best clue!

Treats from Memphis, New York and Texas!

ALL......SAYS..........IT..........ALL!

All says it all. The dictionary defines "all" as an indefinite adjective. In Scripture, I see all often used as complete, definite. In English, all has several functions---as an adverb, noun or pronoun. Most often I think of "all" as completely.

"That's all she wrote." That could mean something is finished and that is all there is to be said. For me,  it could mean, if I were the "she" that tonight I'm finished typing. Nite. Nite.

It was all I could do not to get up in the night to finish this because thoughts were whirring.

As thoughts are still whirring about current circumstances, I went back to Robert Morgan's All to Jesus Day 297, whose thoughts were not whirring but were clear and concise.

With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and...be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18, NASB)

All kinds of prayers---arrow prayers (Margie Hornor) "HELP, THANKS, WOW prayers, (Anne Lamott) silent prayers, spoken prayers, travel mercies prayers, walking prayers (JoLynn)

All hours of the day---morning, noon and night.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16, KJV)

With all perseverance.....Keep on keeping on....(I Thessalonians 5:17)...for all the saints as many as possible specifically and by name. (Morgan, Day 297) 

All to Jesus I Surrender!

All says it all! That's all I have to say---today.

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND.....

Farewell.....for now. Too many tears to type at the moment....but I will return when I can fully honor her!! 

I feel as If I have lost a part of myself. 

Tuesday Truths. 24 hours since I heard the news. A roller coaster of emotions. A "walking in fog" of sorts. "Sadness and joy all mixed together" as one of her sons recounted. 

May I not forget truth and become overwhelmed by my sorrow. Sorrow is not the only reality there is. 

God's word in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything. Grief is one of those seasons. This time yesterday I began such a season when I learned of Ann's passing.

"A time to keep silent." (Ecclesiastes 3:7) I knew my inner spring would come from solitude. Time with the Lord and in His word. Time to drink it in. 

Joy is hidden in sorrow. (Henri Nouwen, my Bible marginalia) I need to remember truth and not be overwhelmed by my own sorrow. May my sadness be fertile ground for truth of God's ever presence. His strength. His consolation. 

May I not lose sight of the joy of the Lord because I have lost her. God Himself used Ann so many times in my own life to see His goodness. (Psalm 27:13) Today may the LORD loose my sackcloth and clothe me with gladness. Turn my mourning into dancing once again. (Psalm 30:11, paraphrased) 

There is a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4) This is such a time. 

Lord, I ask You to be my choreographer once again as this unique dance of loss has me stumbling. (Psalm 37:24) I know you hold me because you now hold Ann. She has been a friend who has loved me well at all times. So....I must sing your praise (even if off key) and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12).........for my deep and abiding friendship with Ann.

Annabelle, Mamaw, Mommabelle, Mrs. Martin. 

Ann----my mentor, my Proffitt's shopping guide for funeral attire, my grandson's school supporter, my water aerobics pal, my scrabble hero, my New Year's Eve game winner, my favorite cook, my tea brewer, my sidekick, my travel chum and my dear, dear dog-loving friend for 20+ years!

Thx Ethel, an angel of a caregiver, for this pic!

Oct. 2,  I was with Ann as she had her lunch. (It would be the last "real" conversation I had with her as COVID complications sent her to the hospital in the wee hours the next morning.) 

As she ate her dessert, her fave part of any meal, I told her it was "her" Dotsy behind the mask and when I pulled it back for her peek, she said, "No it's not! It's an angel." I'll take that. 

We all need to be angels for each other. She certainly has been there for me.

A fond farewell to Ann today. Farewell filled with sweet memories knowing she is with the LORD!

R - WORDS STILL RUMBLING

Monday's Prayer for Revival group's passage was Titus 3:1-8.

The very first word was Remind----that started those "R"s rumbling in my head again. Part of the reminder from Titus was "be ready!" God had my attention first with remind and I was rapt when a few words later, ready appeared. Rapt. (Was my rapt fascination about to "rapture" me.) BTW, Webster has rapture as an "archaic" term.....he must not have ever gone to my church. But I digress.

More R words that readily jumped off the page, into my heart and out through my praying mouth were righteousness, regeneration and renewal. Repentance was in my marginalia. I think my most comforting "r" word was an adverb, (v.6), referring to God's  richly pouring out on us the Holy Spirit...richly (ESV) ie. abundantly, (NKJV) freely, (NIrV) generously (NLT)

After listing readiness ways in the first 7 verses, verse 8 states, "The saying is trustworthy..." Of course it is, it's God's word. Let's all REST in that truth! 

Thanks to Lisa Dufur who shared her "R" appreciation for the original R word entry, RRRRRRRRRR with some useful "u" words. Would love for others to share as well. (underlines are mine)

I read it and I loved it.  Love the U words too. Where do you get these cool ideas to worship and remind us of his Unfailing love for us? It helps Us Understand his Unlimited power which is so Uplifting. 

NEWNESS OF LIFE

NEWNESS...lots of synonyms for this noun. Freshness. Originality. Uniqueness. Newfangledness. (an old school word) For me, newness can connote brightness/shininess. Something can be "brand spanking new" or "bright as a newly minted penny." In scripture, how is newness expressed? Anyone in Christ has a newness to his life. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV) A new way of  living has come into existence. (GW translation)

I like Robert Morgan's spiritual list from his All to Jesus, Day 291.

A few "new" insights on Morgan's list with my inferences;

• A New Name---Saul became Paul (Acts 13:9) Believers are called Christians.
• A New Nature---created according to God's likeness. (Ephesians 4:24)
• A New Motto---to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
• A New Lifestyle---we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4b, ESV)
• A New Future---eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)

A shining bright witness. Aglow with the Spirit! (Romans 12:11)

Newness---New every  morning! 

PEACEFUL PONDERINGS

Lysa TerKeurst has faced the realities of suffering in her life, from physical to emotional betrayal. She expresses these in seeing beautiful again. 

It's not always an easy read, but she weaves hope and peace in her entries.

• In the midst of struggles, others watch our reactions. (CONVICTION, mine) Responding in gentleness is a better reminder. (Philippians 4:5) (p. 48) Responding in peace is always preferable.
• When  something moves our focus from right to wrong....a slight and seemingly innocent amount of skewed thought can take root. (p.50) Skewed thoughts will rob us of our peace. (DAL)
• Your hurt will not be wasted. (p.56)
• Though others hurt you deeply, allow peace to flood your heart. "Peace that allows you to live like you are loved." (p. 62) God's word reminds us of that in Zephaniah 3:17.
• "Fear, pain, and insecurities can really do a number on our hearts." (p. 64) As Jesus said to the disciples,  "My peace I give you." (John 14:27b) As His present day disciples, we have access to this peace as well.
• THERE IS A PLACE TO ATTACH OUR HOPE, BUT IT'S NOT TO OUR DESIRE FOR CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES, Mark 14:36.... ends with strongest statement of trusting God that I can find in the whole Bible: Yet, not what I will but what you will. (p. 70)
• When TerKheurst wrote of her emergency colon surgery she learned that, God loved her through the life-saving pain. God's silence was part of the rescue. Psalm 145:18. (p. 75-76) Relief is a peaceful response.
• "His words are a lifeline to me. A whisper from my God. A personal note. A treasure......More important than just reading (just, my addition) His words, we must choose to receive them and live them! (p. 77, 80)  (emphasis, mine)

May these words and scriptures bring you peace and comfort this weekend.

AN APPLE A DAY---GIVE ME 2 OR 3!!

I never know what will attract me to food I've never tried before.  Usually it's affordable price. Yesterday, that was the "lead in" at Aldi for my purchase. The second draw..... the USA product was from New York, a state dear to my heart as it's home to my "grandgirls." Seasonal hankerings also clicked in! 

APPLES! God created fruit. (Genesis 1:29)

Apples @ $1.49 a lb with variety of sizes---I know "our" Jack likes small ones..  Loved the 100% recyclable bag concept. SweeTango was a catchy name for an apple new to me. The description almost sealed the deal.

A SWEET CRISP APPLE

with a lively touch of

CITRUS, HONEY and SPICE

The real deal sealer was my first bite!

YUM!!!!! CRISP in all caps!

I went back again---2 more times!

I have never advertised anything on this blog. This is not an ad and no profit will be gained be me. You're the one who will profit....if you hurry to buy your bag of SweeTango apples!

I bet you can't eat just one...................

MY, MY, MY, MY, MY

Before breakfast this morning, I picked up "my" Bible and "my" cup of tea. (literally)

It's the best way to start "my" day! A quick count in Proverbs 4 showed 9 "my" pronouns in the 27 verses. 

"Hear "my" son," (daughter) -------How personal  is that!

...and accept "my" words."  (Proverbs 4:10)

I am His and He is mine. Comforting words this Wednesday morning. 

"My" son, be attentive to "My" words. (Proverbs 4:20)

"My" God you are "my" God....(Psalm 63:1)

"MY" is a personal pronoun BUT it's called a possessive  adjective. 

My, my, my..............how special is that! He possesses me and I possess Him! 

* My Cup of Tea written on my mug, a gift from "my" dear friend Ellen, is a product of My Cup of Tea ministries in Orange Mound.

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Trio of Tuesday truths taken from Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies........my own paraphrasing.

1. True prayer is more than a "Wish list" from God the Deliverer.
2. Prayer is abandoning a life of demand and complaint....giving myself to a life of thankfulness.
3. True prayer happens at the intersection of surrender and celebration.

May the Lord use our submission (our proper place) to His purpose/His will (His proper place) Those "proper" positions will release us from our own bondage to SELF!

YOU-nique

You-nique! It must be a "new to me" buzz-word of sorts, with unique spelling for emphasis! I first heard it in an Allen Bible "Wired" sermon series, emphasizing how we are all uniquely created and wired by God for His purposes. 

Our giftedness differs with individuals but we are all"fearfully and wonderfully made by Him." (Psalm 139:13-14) It's an inward work for His children to be used for the lifting up of  the saints and for God's glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

The other uses have been more secular and "me" focused.......from preschool songs to multi-level marketing schemes (MLMs)---to uplift, empower and validate women who use their cosmetic products. 

"All about me" comes to mind. 

This week I saw it in my Dove dark chocolate & mint swirl wrapper. I'm not sure of Bethany's meaning, whether it's self-centered or God centered.I believe one's true You-niqueness needs to be more God-centered and other-centered than self-centered.

YOU-Niqueness---Not because of who you are but whose you are. 

We are truly unique, anyway you spell it, because of who He is!

I'm just sayin' 

RRRRRRRRRRRRR........................

RRRRRRRRRRRR--probably rings in your ears as a sound of frustration! Today it very well could be, but it's not. The Rs are all words "ringing" in head as "letter next" in my meditation. As a retired librarian, I can even meditate in alphabetical order if the need arises. Today it did and R is where I landed.

It started as I was praying Psalm 87:7 for the Davises in Uganda.

"Those who sing as well as those who dance say, "All my springs are in you." 

(World English Bible)

Other versions used fountains, joy, roots, thoughts for springs.

Yet each gave me the idea of refreshing so I began to pray using different parts of speech for refreshing...

Refresh. Refreshed. Refreshes. Refreshing. Refreshment. How easily the words flowed as different aspects of their ministry came to mind.

Today I continued with R words for my Wednesday Friends....Prayers to revive their hearts, reminders to refocus, reignite their passion for Him, regenerate their faith to new and higher grounds, renew their commitment to love their neighbor, "Return to first  love," (Revelation 2:4) and remember & obey the "Lord your God."(Psalm 119:55)

RRRRRRRRRRRRR----13 Rs & 13 r words used in prayers.....but whose counting! I was,,,,but not until after I typed this entry. Then, I saw that the exact number of r words used in prayer were same number of Rs in the title, which I had typed earlier. I recognized that as  reassurance of God's hand in this blog!

UNDETECTED INFECTION!

Undetected infection. Sounds like an inside job, doesn't it. A heart problem undetected.

Last week  I unexpectedly entered an unknown antigen area as I donned my mask and visited a loved one. 

Three days later she tested positive for COVID! I was advised of my exposure to her and followed CDC protocol. She and I had both been vaccinated. She ended up in the hospital and remains there. I had my first test 3 days later and today I had my 5th day test. 

Between the two tests I had enough time in quarantine to do a little heart/soul searching. 

If I have spiritual infection residing in my own heart, others might never see it. In some instances even I might be unaware. A pure heart is created by God. What's more, He must continually recreate it.

The solution? Ask God to search you & show you where you are infected with sin---maybe sin unbeknownst to you. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Today my COVID test was negative!! Hallelujah!

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) 

Hallelujah, also that the Lord can keep "cleaning me up" until I walk through heaven's gates and all infections will be gone. HALLELUJAH.........forever!

AT THE CROSSROADS!

When we're at the "crossroads of life" decisions, the decision making can often seem too difficult to do by ourselves.

Sometimes we need to look both ways and we cannot do that alone. 

Are you at a crossroads? A critical juncture of decision making? 

Do you have someone watching your back?

(Red tail hawks' photo compliments of hubby on his morning walk.) 

Often signposts are clearly marked in scripture. Believers know that Jesus the son, seated at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us. (Romans 8:34) as does His Spirit. (Romans 8:26) But God......has also provided "others" to join us in prayer. (James 5:16)

So......when answers don't seem specific, is someone with you to pray for clarity? 

All believers benefit from an earthly prayer warrior. Find yours today. 

You might both be at the same crossroads!