LEAN IN!

When life's pace is getting on your last nerve, lean in to the "everlasting arms." At least let that tune fill your mind. 

If that doesn't work maybe the Lord will send you to a friends home to be reminded, by a pillow no less, as you lean back into the comfort of a pillow with  Psalm 46:10 on your mind.

MATURITY!

Mature? Immature?

Physical---look to check growth attributes.

Emotional---look and listen.

Spiritual---compare words with actions.

Didn't think I was too immature until I got to the end of Tyson's list.

Reminder still needed to please God, not man. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

He sees beyond our actions into the motives of our hearts.

We "see" it in our own lives if despair/depression keeps knocking at the door of our mind.

If we compare, we despair. It's up to us to transfer our minds to embrace God's good, pleasing and perfect, will/purpose for our lives.

Paul David Tripp sums it up well. "There is nothing for which we can take credit. All praise, honor, worship, and service go to God and God alone. He sought us. He birthed us. He sustains us. He matures us." (New Morning Mercies, September 24)

That's what maturity looks like......from the inside out! 

RABBIT HOLES!

I live in "rabbit holes"............or at least, I'm a frequent visitor.

Positive or negative experiences---both are distractions for me. The last  week, matters seem to have gotten worse after a great relaxing 4 days with family.

Focus seemed "ungraspable." 

DISTRACTION in all caps!

CONFUSION clatters.

THOUGHTS scatter.

May these distractions from the world not keep me from hearing the voice of God!

I need soul shepherding. God's word says He will "counsel me with His loving eye on me." (Psalm 32:8) Maybe this time, I need to spend less time seeking additional clarity and lean in and trust Him on what I already know.

He is my God. He will always be with me. He loves me even when I am distractible.

 

Today, may I take one faith step at a time and watch out for rabbit holes of distraction.

IDIOSYNCRASY!

Idiosyncrasy could easily be a Word Of Week on any Wednesday for me. 

Wednesday PM is a note-taking time for H2H Bible Study. 

Peculiar. Unique. Maybe tending a little toward weird.

I write. When I write I vary colored pens with varying point sizes.

Pencils are necessary, especially for note-taking. NOT mechanical.

#2 lead. Ticonderoga comes to mind.

It's not so much the brand as the sharpness of the pencil. At least I don't have a Montblanc compulsion.

But God.....allows me my uniqueness. A note in my travel Bible reminded me. 

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil....it has no point."

Life is worth nothing without testifying to the good news of God's grace. (Acts 20:24) 

That my friends is my idiosyncrasy!

You can write it in pencil as long as the point is sharp!

MEDITATION MADE SIMPLE

Hear/ Read God's Word in the morning!

In 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. (Psalm 43:8)

Ponder!

SATURDAY SHORT!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.

(isaiah 40:8)

The Scripture cannot be broken. (John 10:35)

Nothing can annul God's eternal truth. (Knowing God, p.79)

Ponder this truth the rest of the weekend.

FRIDAY FUNNY NEEDED!

Life is full of ups and downs. Certainly I have been on an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks as I have mourned the death of two dear friends and been saddened by new diagnosis of others. Sad news can pull the rug out from under me even tho I know God is good.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us of all those contrasting ups and downs we go through----there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 1:1)---even times of laughter. Ecclesiastes !:4

A bit of "Ferrell Funny" that is "spot on" reality---

This funny has tears streaming from laughter which I greatly needed. 

PRAISE POSTURES!

How does one express praise to the Lord?

Is there more that one way?

Positionally? Stand up and praise the LORD your God? (Nehemiah 9:5)

With lifted hands? In your name, I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4) 

O, Clap your hands all people; (Psalm 47:1a)

With voice? Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 63:45)

Volume? Shout to God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 47:1b)

Singing or talking?  Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him. (Psalm 28:5, & 105:1)

In dance? Young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. (Jeremiah 31:13)

A cantate domino calls for praises from God's chosen people as they sing to the LORD a new song. (Psalm 98:1)

In combination?  Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrels and harp. (Psalm 149:3)

No matter your position of choice, continue to praise the LORD and bring glory to His name!

MEDITATIVE MEANDERINGS!

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof....(Psalm 24:1) 

See how the flowers of the field grow. (Matthew 6:28)

Carolina Snailseed found in Texas

Trumpet bush/Yellow Bells

Common Sunflower---to bright to be labeled common

Goldenrod--so familiar to Kentucky folks

Creation is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our/my eyes. (Psalm 118:23) 

🎶For the wonder of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale and tree and flower

sun and moon and stars of light. {Refrain}

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise,

this our hymn of grateful praise.🎶

Words of Scripture and lyrics from hymn, "For the Beauty of the Earth" have enhanced this meditative Monday.

SATURDAY SHORT!

Concise but Complete.

JESUS

Your only way to God

AR I-30W just before Exit 3.............in the middle of a field.

5 words say it all! (John 14:16)

PONDERING!

Oh what a day!

With a "flower fairy" delivery just for me!

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 

Your way O God, is holy. What god is great like our God! (Psalm 77:12-13) 

COLLECTIVE NOUNS INTRIGUE!

At a recent fish-fry with friends at the Tackers, my on-going intrigue with collective nouns surfaced. 

Sometimes a topic of discussion can take its own turn as that night I shared a term I had read in a detective story. Pam's phone helped jog my memory when I could only come up with the first letter. 

M-- for a group of crows. 

A "murder" of crows. 

Today I saw said group of raucous crows at GAC---so large they could fit right in with Poe's ravens. 

That sighting had me pondering other collective nouns as my thoughts returned to that time with Lynn, Connie and Pam.

What is an all encompassing noun for believers in fellowship? (Acts 2:24)

Is their a collective noun for faith folks?

Bevy of Believers. 

Calm of Christians.

Choir of Christians.

Congregation of Worshippers.

Folks of faith. 

Grace-forged friends = fellowship.* (1 John 1:7)

How about, "All the Above?"

*Scotty

PORTMANTEAU: A PERFECT RECOLLECTION!

* 9/9 Youngest grandson, Jack, just provided me with the best portmanteau of the week. "Trifficult!" When trying to make it to potty on time or trying to pick up all his toys...he  says it's too difficult even to try! It's too trifficult!  

A portmanteau out of the mouth of a babe. (Matthew 21:16)

NO TRIFFICULTY AT ALL  for my weekend portmanteau blog entry thanks to Jack!

RETRO-FOCUS!

Retrofocus has only been a photography "lens" term that I never quite understood.This past week I have used it as a lens through which I revisited my past times with Sarah Young. 

Looking back has soothed my soul. A much needed balm. 

A signature. A picture. Texts. E-mails. A cuppa together.

Notes in my Jesus Calling journal & other journals as well.

No WOE with her, no matter how many opportunities for woe in her life, her focus was rarely there. Maybe a simple prayer request that I saw as a "biggie." Then a turn  to Words of Encouragement for me. 

She also gave me encouraging words to share with others during tough times, when I had no words.

At the crux of my MAC cancer journey in 2009, an 8:37 pm email offered comfort so I could sleep.

Helping me to hang my guilt away in a locked area of my mind.(Isaiah 61:10)

Modeling God's grace to replace remorse.

Teaching me time with Him is the best R & R! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Helping me focus. Refocus. And Refocus. (Repeat as often as it takes.)

Today I wished she were here with me, an SOS of sorts. 

I already know that she would remind me of the BEST SOS---when in distress, Seek Our Savior!  

I'll refocus with that sweet reminder from Sarah.

PORTMANTEAU

Portmanteau---a suitcase opening flat with two equal sides. But....that's not what this entry concerns. It's just to give you a mental image of 2 parts into 1 whole. Now, think two words combined to give one entirely new thought.

Wordsmith's have long had a way of creating their own words. At our house the kids became familiar with an entirely new vocabulary created by their dad. 

Portmanteau words in my past seem to "stick" long before I knew they were a literary device. 

 

Brunch, at our house meant Mother's bridge club was coming and brunch (a repast between breakfast and lunch) would be served. Sporks would be provided if cobbler with ice cream followed as this spoon fork utensil would be perfect. Plus, it took up less room on their "card table."

Literary devices make some of these creations "legit" by "naming them."

• hungry + angry = hangry
• IPod + broadcast = podcast
• situational + comedy = sitcom
• smoke + fog = smog
• emotional + icon = emoticon

 

...created character combos side ways on keyboard to save space

Wordsmiths love combining words to make new words.

Recently I began using selrel as a negative in my journal jottings.

My portmanteau for self reliance. Two words together for one meaning. 

Trying "to do" all  in your own strength. 

SELREL----Think antonym for God's strength.

Selrel--won't become legit in the linguistic world, but it's an "in your face" reminder for me to BEWARE---of looking to self for strength instead of leaning into the LORD, who is our strength. (Psalm 46:1)

REVIVAL: A SNAPSHOT!

What does revival look like, one might ask.

Metaphorically, it's a fire in one's heart.

Outwardly, think I Peter 3:8.

Actions of kindness over curtness.

Listening rather than labeling.

Compassion instead of criticism.

Openness over pretense.

Love others before self.

Take a look in the mirror. Is that what you see? If not, get out your spiritual Windex.

Revival, in a snapshot, is shiny and clean.

Message received yesterday from Sarah Young's family. 

It's like sadness to gladness and back again.

Here's part of my response---because when I don't know how to express deep emotions, I turn to God's Word.

John 7:38, my paraphrase

I am sure all the family would appreciate prayers for strength and comfort during this time....her husband, daughter and son and their spouses, and her 6 grandchildren.

Sarah Young, whose life was served a cuppa fragili-TEA and frail-TEA, sweetened it with a heaping spoonful of faith and trust in Jesus and poured it out to others as a cuppa mo-TEA-vation to re-vi-TEA-lize their faith in Jesus.

To God be the glory!

positivi-TEA: A FRIDAY FOCUS

Positivity---I'm not talking conjuring up thoughts as you unfold your body from a yoga bend or depend on your own might. I'm talking about a lifestyle as a Jesus follower which allows others to be encouraged as they see Christ in you.

Is it a mindset? I think of it as a discipline. A choice made easier for me to make as I'm in the presence of those who already practice positivity and allow it to spill over to me. 

Or chat and pray with me over a cuppa.....of positivi-TEA.

Pic from my cuppa file

Ten years and one week ago today, August 25, 2013, a cuppa positive-TEA happened in my life in a special way.

Friend and prayer warrior, Sarah Young served me tea. But.....she served me much more than that. 

We lingered. 

She listened. Sarah is good at that. 

She comforted. She encouraged.

She exuded positivity, tailored for me. 

She was radiant. She shared how to take refuge in Him, never omitting pains and struggles but sharing coping strategies in a way that blessed me beyond measure. 

Sarah has prayed daily for years for those who read her books. Many us have been blessed by her writings as she, being still before the LORD and seeking the truth from his Word, has shared with us. 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:4–5, 8)

This is a a positive, encouraging verse of peace, joy and hope for Sarah.

Won't you join me in praying it for herald her and her family? 

Positivi-TEA---a great cuppa shared.

**I received this message from Sarah's family.

Thank you for prayers. Sarah graduated to heaven yesterday at 5:31 and in the presence of Jesus. 

I sought the LORD