PERFECT GIFTS!

It's hard to believe---December will be here in just a few hours! 

That will mean there's just 24 days until Christmas. Ads on TV are already calculating the number of shopping days left to spur the buying frenzy!

Having trouble with your shopping list?

This past week, ABC's Reading List had us reading in the book of James---right where I found the perfect answer. Tonight as I changed the calendar on the kitchen table. I was affirmed in that answer.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, (James 1:17a)

Share Jesus, a true and perfect gift from the heart!

PLAY ON WORDS!

Play on words is a literary technique usually used to give men choice of meaning...in a humorous way.

Lately, for me. it's been a way of reducing words to an acronym to help me remember. 

AGOG---I am keen to remember God's love and mercy! The gift of His Son on my behalf. There is no greater gift.

A

Gift

Of

Grace

Word Play. "Play on words" techniques offer many new possibilities.

A recent word play was shared in Sunday School.

For those whose disposition is a bit grumpy.....

...Drop the D and add an H to give one an entirely new outlook!

Dis-position -D + H = His-position! 

Don't "dis" me about that word play; I think it speaks volumes!

In everything you do, put God first. (Proverbs 3:6a, TLB)

What position does God hold in your life?

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

This morning it was so-o-o easy to give thanks! I live with a bird-loving, 

bird -feeding, bird-watching man.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds. (Luke 20:24)

A goldfinch singing outside our window no more......

......Even though the goldfinches are gone, bluebirds are still thumping at the kitchen window......

......& dove are are perched on the feeders while Carolina chickadees are playing in the patio fountain.  

The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. (Palms 104:12)

I am thankful!

BUT GOD!

Yesterday, our "Pulpit" Pastor, Wayne Smith Jr., mentioned "The Gospel Message in Two Words" as his sermon title. Immediately, "But God" came to mind. Those 2 words have gripped me time and time again.

But God....(Ephesians 2:4) in His love and mercy keeps us from being Deceived, Depraved and Doomed.

Smith encouraged use to remember that God works "in us," "for us" and "through us" as we serve Him.

How do we serve Him? 

By Identifying our passions, our experiences and our gifting, and using them to share God's love, mercy and truth with others.

Apart from Him we could not do that.

But God, in His love and rich mercy has made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and that's all we need!

REVIVE US AGAIN!!

HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory, revive us again!

WELL SAID!

ENOUGH SAID!......

 .....AND SUNG!...

...FROM A 1923 COKESBURY HYMNAL, COST 23¢

REVIVE US AGAIN!! AMEN!!!

REVIVAL!

REVIVAL! 

What does that mean? In the the Hebrew words, “chayah” and “michyah,” and the Greek words, “anathallo” and “anazao”  mean revival  "to live,"

“to live again,” and “to come to life.

What does that look like among many young Americans these days?Saturday football games give many glimpses of the one who brings revival in the hearts of college kids, who want to pass on the one who revives...... JESUS!. 

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

LET'S BE REAL. WE ALL HURT. CALL OUT TO JESUS

ESPN EVERY SINGLE PERSON NEEDS JESUS

THE REALITY OF LIFE IS TROUBLE DON'T GIVE IN TO IT. JESUS OFFERS COMPASSION.....

DON'T GIVE UP. TALK TO JESUS

                                (Wherever you are)                            

PLEASE, I BEG YOU, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us and we will you and call upon your name. (Psalm 80:18)

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)

REVIVAL seen on TV screens everywhere today!

May it be seen in hearts tomorrow!

FULL QUIVER = BLESSING!!!

GENERATIONAL FUN!!!

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them. (Psalm 127-3-5a, RSV)

Three generations of Liles!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2023!

Happy Thanksgiving from our neighborhood and beyond to yours....

....and from the youngest grands in New York, North Carolina, and Texas!

Sipping my cuppa gra-TEA-tude sweetened with love for so may family and friends! 

Blessings on your day 2023!  

*Macy's Parade Pix---a T'giving Morning Tradition ( w/ 2 special attractions this year.

         

GOD WINK EXTRAORDINAIRE!

GOD WINK!

Those moments which so touch us at an unexpected time.

A unique blessing. For many, it's as if God were just winking at us. 

A divine moment. 

Yesterday at the neurologist appointment, I had such an event.

Neurology appointments are always a bit difficult for me....as, my RX diagnosis remans the same. "Make the most of your moments."

Today's check-in gal, Marcie had scripture messages on the wall, given to her by a patient. A great spiritual conversation ensued. Uplifting reminders.

As she scanned my med sheet, she wrote down one a favorite quote from her "Mama."

A message of encouragement for today and forever.

WHEN YOU CAN NOT "SEE" THE HAND OF GOD MOVING

CONTINUE TO TRUST IN THE HEART OF GOD!! 

                            Pleasure to meet

                            Marcie

The pleasure to meet was all mine!

Now I look forward to my next appointment. 

I will go back to her "station" in anticipation of another "God Wink."

MUSING ON BENDING GOD'S EAR

"Bending God's Ear in Times of Trouble" *was Allen Bible Church's sermon yesterday!

Pastor, Buddy Liles, assured the Texas congregation and those of us listening via livestream, that King David's, Psalm 86 "pressure cooker prayer," can give believers a vocab to express our trust even as we are troubled.

From our lips to God's ear. Whether he bends down to listen to my cry for help, (MSG) or inclines His ear as it says in Psalm 116:1, I know that when My anxious thoughts multiply within me, it's His consolations that delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19) Sounds like comfort to me.

How thankful I am that because of his goodness, God is eager to bend his ear to hear our cries for mercy and offer comfort. Whenever I'm in trouble (or distress,) I pray, knowing you will listen. (Psalm 86:7, CEV)

As we pour out our hearts to him in times of suffering we can trust Him to be our refuge.(Psalm 62:8).....an ever present help.

*link will be provided when it becomes available of YouTube

FRIDAY FOCUS

FRIDAY FOCUS...........

• “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:13) 
• "Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live." (Isaiah 55:3) 
• "God is our refuge and strength:" (Psalm 46:1)
• The joy of the Lord is your strength: (Nehemiah 8:10)

FRIDAY FOCUS....NEEDS TO BE A DAILY FOCUS FOR ME!!

May I be steadfast in this focus the rest of the month! (Psalm 36:1

MESS OF RELATIONSHIPS

I am still meditating on Tripp's 11/14 entry of "Messy Moments" of sin,

In relationships, the DNA of sin is selfishness. 

Sin

Is

Selfishness    Self-absorbed    Self-focused    Self-reliant    Self-righteous    

Sinful "Me-isms" of life require forgiveness, grace and mercy.

God offers lots of Mercy for Messy Sin.

SPIRITUAL AMNESIA!

Those of us familiar with an "age related cognitive decline" diagnosis know the deep sense of fear. Losing one's memory, short term or long-term is not what one hopes for....esp. brain-wise.

What about spiritual recollection, or lack there-of? Have you ever sensed in your "heart" that you were suffering from spiritual amnesia?

The good news in that area is an RX prescribed in God's word. "Turn" the pages of truth. Remember "God abounds in loving kindness and truth." (Exodus 34:6)

Give attention to His faithfulness and love. 

Take daily. Overdose is impossible. No adverse side-effects!

To remove the symptoms of anxiety and fear, remember "turn" to Him. If spiritual amnesia "hits" again, "turn" to another brother or sister in fellowship who can join you in prayer. (Thanks Avinash Joseph for that recommendation.)

This week my RX includes a scripture memory trial to enhance my age-related cognitive decline, laced with amyloid angiopothy. 

Yellow sticky notes on post-it-notes are on my bathroom mirror to begin my day with God's promises! Spiritual amnesia be gone!

FRIDAY FOCUS: HELP NEEDED!

*Today I am once again "Distracted Ditsy" as Siri calls me.

Sometimes acronyms or acrostics help. Not today.

Rhyming is the order of this day. 

• Stay in the Day! Psalm 118:24
• Robust Trust. Proverbs 3 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Help cometh from the Lord....

............when we stay in the day with robust trust

................................. in Him alone!

* So distracted with checking things off my list, that I neglected to post this entry! So sad. So-o-o me!

WOW: PATH!

WOW = Warriors on the Wall for me.

This week it has meant Word of the Week as I can't get PATH out of my head!

Grandson, Owen has always had a way with words. 

He dubbed my Master Gardener neighbor's rock pathway that ended at the fence, "path to nowhere." He asked her why she had such a path to nowhere? Not a bad question for a boy in pre-school.

In Deuteronomy 5:32, Moses, after presenting the Ten Commandments from the LORD to his people reminds them to be careful to do what the Lord has commanded them. Don't turn to the right or left. In other words stay on the straight and narrow path. In the next verse, Deuteronomy 5:33 CEB, Moses shares, "You must walk in the precise path which the Lord your God indicates for you. so that you will live, and things will go well for you...."

Have you ever wondered what the path God has for you today?

Unique for you. Specific for today.

Today ask God to clearly show you the path He has especially for you....

....even if it seems a bit rocky, trust Him.

Maybe He wants you to walk anew in His Presence today. (Psalm 16:11)

You won't know the right path, unless you ask Him. (Psalm 25:4)

Today my "path" answer was to "walk worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Won't you join me on that path?

FITNESS ESSENTIALS!

Fitness usually brings to mind the physical aspect. 

Requirements.....Discipline. Diet. Action.

Spiritual Fitness is much the same---requiring a daily (discipline) diet of feeding on God's word and putting into action what one has learned. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Spiritual Fitness....an essential to pass on to the next generation!

SALVATION: A SATURDAY SHORT!

A Saturday Short that is long in meaning.......

Salvation is from the LORD. His work. His grace. His gift for His glory.

Accordino to Scotty Smith, Ephesians 2:8, is a glorious reminder for we who suffer with Gospel-amnesia, grace allergies, freedom dementia, and chronic unbelief. 

A salvation heads-up!

CONTRONYMNS!

WOW! (WORD OF THE WEEK) Words fascinate me! 

New words can confuse me---think urban dictionary entries.

Text abbreviations confound me. Even "new" words added to a 1900 dictionary have no meaning to me. Housecraft???

But....I have friends who keep me on my toes---and stretch what's left of my old brain.They stoke my acronym interest all the way to Allacronymn.

Recently, ljj shared a newly found list. New to me as well. 

Contronyms.......... 

Vocabulary broadening for me.

My thoughts began to see that many words, even some homonyms (fine as okay, fine as an imposing a penalty for offense, fine as not coarse) have very different meanings......therefore context is key. 

Without using "big" interpretative words i.e. exegesis, hermeneutics one can approach scripture in context by reading passages before and after the verse one is considering. Biblical reference books offer help as well. Even among Biblical scholars there can be discrepancies of interpretation of some Scriptures.

For me, I have asked the Lord to lead me to truth and understanding that is aligned with His truth. The Bible is the inspired word of God---I need to do more than just "peruse" it, as in skim in a leisurely way or read without attention to detail. I need to read or examine in detail, which is another definition for peruse. How confusing is that!

For me this can be a long process.  

I hope to "bolt" a few contronyms to my brain before they "bolt" from my brain.