NEW WORDS!

As we age it is not only difficult to keep our word bank relevant but it's even more difficult to understand all the new words the younger generations bombard us with daily. When I'm with 5 of my teenage grandsons, I have difficulty following their conversations often accompanied with hand gestures.

It's always interesting when the OED adds new words each year based on upticks in usage. This past week folks at Webster include "gaslighting" as a relevant new word addition, I had never even heard of it but my daughter had and she enlightened me.

Instagram post by my dear friend, MP, who speaks fluent German and French, https://www.instagram.com/shellphoenix/ reminded me, "Actions speak louder than words." Regardless of the language.

Hubby concurs as he shouted Faking!!! at the TV yesterday during the match between USA and Iran.

All words, new and old, as well as actions, should be grace-laced especially on the international stage.

ABOUND IN HOPE

Yesterday's F.O.C.U.S. verse was Romans 15:13 as I was praying for a Ukrainian gal who is very much in need of the God of all hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so by the power of the Holy spirit you may abound in hope.

I also visited a widow lady at her new assisted living facility and there on her counter was Romans !5:13, in part. 

My Monday meditation had certainly included that but it even went beyond as I applied the F.O.C.U.S. formula. Because of my meditation time, I knew how to "fix my eyes on the unseen" part of the verse. Believing and abounding.

Beyond that it was like a blessing from the Lord...a God wink, of sorts from Bobbie's kitchen counter! Close to skywriting from above.

Needless to say. I am now abounding in hope for an answered prayer from Ukraine.

F-O-C-U-S

FOCUS on........God's Word everyday!

Acrostics can help me do just that. FOCUS!

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Get ready for the confetti! 

Thankful Thursday is here. The 4th Thursday in November is probably the penultimate "Thankful Thursday" for Americans.

I have been "shooting" prayers for family, friends and neighbors all day as God brings folks to mind. Gratitude is heart filling!

ευχαριστώ 

In everything give thanks....

THX!

Thanks be to God.

Thank you,O Lord!

Get the idea.

A WAY WITH WORDS!

It is one thing to be a wordsmith.....

but it's much rarer to express one's self in both words and art. EMYO does just that.

What a privilege it was to attend the launch at Dixon Gallery and Gardens last week of her book, Marisol's Dress. It began with a reading by Emily herself with the accompanying Spanish translation as her mom sat in the audience.

The story itself was inspired by her mother's journey from Cuba during the revolution as she fled the communist revolution there with only her abuela, one white dress that twirled and only one doll to a place across the blue ocean where she knew no one and did not even know the language spoken there.She carried her Mama's words in her heart. 

Remember you are brave and you are loved.

When lonely in her room in America, Marisol has only white paper and some pencils. A great truth enters her mind.

She realized what she had in front of her was enough for today.

The book encourages all to face hardship with courage....

When life gives you lemons, make paper dolls.

EMYO's book has young readers searching for lemons on every page.

From the large impressionist art works from which the illustrations were drawn to the unique words and phrases included, the book itself is truly a complete  work of art.

Marisol's Dress is so special to me because the book depicts the life of EMYO's mom, a dear, dear friend of mine. It also can inspire others, regardless of the age, to know they are brave and loved in the midst of challenges.

Needless to say, I will pass this treasure on to each of my granddaughters.

THOUGHT PROVOKING......

Thought provoking or just plain ole sin?

"Let go and let God" is what my AA brother learned.

Act on what you know. Leave the rest to God.

Paul says to "throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us." (Hebrews 12:1) 

Overthinking is wearying me out. My worrisome thoughts are a euphemisim for control attempts...people, events and things I cannot change.

Entangling me. I need to throw it out! Not only does hubby see this in me but friend Jerrie does as well.

She gifted me lately with something she knew was right up my alley....sticky notes!

But.....the quote, probably, also right up my alley,  gave me pause. Not a refreshing pause.

Hmmm...back to square one for me, the consummate overthinker!

Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

We need only to have faith and leave the details to God!

SPIRITUAL ORDER!

ORDER??

Alphabetical? Branding/ Focal? Spiritual?

The lines at Everett Street Diner in Bryson City, North Carolina are long even before 7am opening time. 

Why? ESD has reputation as the best breakfast in town!

Their mug branding attests to this. It's all about food!

Though food is the focus....family and faith are all so included.

I might consider spiritual branding first, which would also include alphabetical correctness, also important for a "word nerd." Faith first.

FAITH. FAMILY. FOOD.

"Through faith the righteous have life" to enjoy the other above mentioned components. (Hebrews 11:6)

Always put God first. Spiritual order counts in life!

WORSHIPFUL WONDER!

God's creative wonder through my kitchen window can have me bowing in worship.

A new fledgling of bluebirds flitting back and forth for their mealworms.

A hairy woodpecker and goldfinch at the suet cakes.

A Carolina chickadee on the swing.

A new visitor--a house finch* with his red tuft caught in the sunlight.

Focusing on his creation by simply looking out my window, allows me "NOT to get tangled up in tomorrow's worry-webs," as Sarah Young reminds me. (Jesus Listens November 17)

Wonder of Wonders! Right outside my kitchen window! 

Worthy of Worship for their creator!

*Friend Anne B. said the little yellow bird might be a ruby crowned kinglet.Thx for the info! 

HUMILITY IN PRACTICE!!

Humility. Without pride, Lowly. Meek. Gentle.

Recently, I came across a NT analogy of humility. It seemed to truly represent the  characteristic of thinking of others more important than oneself and translating those thoughts into action. "Tie on the servant's apron."

The staff at First Evangelical Church does it well! Quite literally!

We can choose to do it too.

Begin each day with your apron at hand. 

Tie on your servant attitude as you sip your morning cuppa humili-TEA!

PHYSICAL THERAPY +

Some PT facilities dispense more than physical therapy!

A little bottle on the wall says it all!

HEART OF WORSHIP!

A heart of worship must be filled daily!

Moment by Moment.

A heart of gratitude.

Grabbing my cuppa grace-TEA-tude, sweetened with grace, I'm working on a heart acrostic for the week.

Honoring

Exalting 

Adoring

Revering

Thanking

Focusing on the radiance of my redeemer, rock, refuge and restorer before I even begin repenting and requesting my need for refreshing from Him. (Acts 3:19-20

I'm going back to the "heart of worship." Won't you join me!

SUSTAINING GRACE FOR ALL OUR YEARS!

Too often my weariness and complaining spirit of aging maladies becomes an audacity or impudence of sorts to those who age well. Cast your cares on God and He'll sustain you.(Psalm 55:22)

Some folks make 95 look great! 

Bobbie Scholik does just that! Check out that smile & she had not even been out of the hospital for 24 hours! Of course, it helps to have son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Jamie, who are great caregivers. I was a drop -in visitor and I was the one who left with the biggest blessing!

I was reminded of the comfort God's word brings as I pushed the down button on the elevator.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

More specifically....."Even to your old age and gray hairs.....I am He who will sustain you. " (Isaiah 46:4)

O Lord, may I have "ears to hear" of your sustaining grace as I age.

BLESS YOUR HEART!

Sometimes we need words of comfort. 

Relief for a flagging soul. A drooping heart. A complaining spirit. Cynicism.

Words of comfort are needed so that one may not "grow weary and lose heart."(Galatians 6:9)

My prayer O Lord, for others and self today, "Satisfy us in the  morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:14)

In the South, three words are often used to convey that needed comfort. Not mere words but words that lead to action.

"Bless your heart" wrapped in a hug and a prayer.

DST-ST-??? DST-ST???

The entry is in my head, .....but I've "taken to my bed." (Mama Davenport, years gone by)............I'm back.

Daylight Saving Time.(DST) We all seem to appreciate the "fall back" time awarded us today. (2am each 1st Sunday in November) Who isn't grateful for an extra hour in his/her day when time reverts to Standard Time (ST) once again. IMPORTANT WORDSMITH NOTE-- Notice it's Daylight Saving Time---Saving is singular--NOT plural. There is also NO apostrophe! 

For sure there has been much debate about it---especially when Daylight Saving Time begins again. (2 am the 2nd Sunday of March) 

It's become such an issue that Senator Marco Rubio presented the S.623 Sunshine Protection Act of 2021-2022 passed the senate but is now on hole in the House.

I prefer the "rise and shine" philosophy of 4 year-old Jack............

   "The sun's awake so I'm awake."      (Psalm 118:24)

Simple truth.Simply put. Regardless of the time zone, DST or ST.

ACRONYMS ABOUND

So many acronyms. So little time.

I'll start with alliteration instead.

Reflect and Rejoice.

Reflect on the old familiar ones. Rejoice that you can remember those.

Check out these, new to me, ones...

Hope more to come from me...

....and new ones from you. I'd love to hear yours. Acronyms Abound for sure!

PRAYER PROMPTS

P.R.A.Y.

There are many prompts which can help one with the structure of prayer. 

The one I've been most familiar with is.... 

Praise

Repent

Ask

Yield

This morning I found a new P.R.A.Y. on Lectio 365, a devotional my dear Ukrainian friend, Katya shared with me.

Possibly it's because I seem to find it difficult to first be still  and Lectio's P. stands for Pausing---as a gerund, a verb used as as the head of a noun phrase. Pausing is difficult for me.

Pausing to be still......I need to remember. 

Rejoicing....with a Psalm, my go to Scripture and Reflecting on Scripture gets me right into God's Word. Okay so it's 2 r's but it's a GR-R-E A T idea!

Asking God's help not only for self but for others.

Yielding to his will in our lives, come what may.

The prompt one chooses doesn't matter...but prayer does!