PROXIMI-TEA!

My morning cuppa! Proximi-TEA! 

First, I had to throw my cuppa anxiety-TEA down the drain.

Then, I picked up God's Word to move-in closer.......and

On the small table beside my prayer chair, was a calling card from one of our church elders of Care Ministries. He has been in a whirlwind of health problems for many weeks now. Yet here was his card encouraging me---with this verse clearly at my side.

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Closer proximity to Him is essential, especially in the "whirlwind" of physical 

unknowns/fears of self and others. 

A cuppa with the Lord in His word and a cuppa proximi-TEA shared with a friend can wash away the fears and dreads of the unknown. 

BEND YOUR KNEES TO BEND GOD'S EAR!

Help me, Lord! 

I can no longer bend my knees. But...I can call out to you, my father

Thank you for your Word! (Psalm 86:1-7)

1. Turn your ear to me, O Yahweh because I am oppressed and needy. 
2. Protect me because I am faithful to you. Save your servant who trusts you. You are my Elohim. 
3. Have pity on me, O Adonay* because I call out to you all day long. 
4. Give me joy O Adonay, because I lift my soul to you. 
5. You, O Adonay, are good and forgiving, full of mercy toward everyone who calls out to you. 
6. Open your ears to my prayer, O Yahweh. Pay attention when I plead for mercy. 
7. When I am in trouble, I call out to you because you answer me.

Help me, Lord!

*The only difference between 'Adonai' and 'Adonoy' is a kind of regional accent. Those are the same exact words, no difference.

EQUATIONS: SUPER SUNDAY SHORT!

I am NOT a numbers person. They confuse me.

But..........recently I came across an equation in my ESV Bible marginalia which I understand.

I get it!

JESUS + 0 = EVERYTHING

DO YOU GET IT? 

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

Jesus plus nothing equals everything.

He's all you need! (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLV)

GOSPEL MESSAGE!

What is the gospel message?

John 3:16 is answer we often see on placards at football games.

How does one see the gospel message in your life?

One of my favorite answers is from Mark 12:30-31.

Jesus is seen in one's life as they love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and neighbor as themself.

These commandments take God's grace to fulfill.

5 Words or less............

..............Gospel is message of grace!

WORRY FREE WEEKEND!

Worry is such an emotional damper.

One worry can lead to another. Result = giant worry-web!

Cast all your anxiety, burdens, business and worries  on God.

Give it. Leave it. Cast it. Let Him have it.Throw it. Turn it over. 

No matter which nouns or verbs you use from Scripture, just do it!

Then allow Freedom Friday to lead into a Worry Free Weekend.

Enjoy!

HOPETIMIST!

How does one become a hope-timist? Is that even a word?

It is now, at least in my vocabulary.

H eals

O ur

P ainful

E xperiences

Where is this hope found? In God's Word---that's the obvious answer. But....sometimes we struggle even when we know the "right" answer.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from Him. (Psalm 62:5)

I wait for the LORD, my whole being, and in his word I put my hope.

(Psalm 130:5)

Hmmmmm---Another word jumped out as I was searching for hope.

WAIT! 

I don't always wait well! But God in His love and mercy showed me what to do while I wait. Help others find hope.

H elps

O ther

P eople

E veyday

May I be a true hope-timist and help others as I wait.

THAW DAY!

HOPE FOR A THAW!

Today's the day, according to area weathermen.

We've had friends who have been without propane, their source of heat, for days.

Another friend's mother died and burial has had to be postponed. Another is recovering at the MED from surgery for a broken hip because of a fall on the ice. 

Frozen ground is a difficult weather issue. May it not ice our hearts as we continue to "live, move cautiously and have our being in Him." (Acts 17:28) 

May trusting in the Lord continue to fuel us to pray for others. 

May hard times never allow our love for Abba (Father) to "thaw."  

GOD IS ON MY SIDE!

Saturday Short--5 Words or less.

God is on my side.

BIRD'S EYE VIEW!

In the fall months, hubby has a special bird"s-eye view of his fine featheredfriends as many hover around him when he's patio sitting. They know "from whence their food cometh!"

On wintery snowy days, they still keep an eye out for him who "bringeth their meal worms." They probably recognize his footprints. Afterwards, he sits in  his den lounge chair and watches them enjoy the treat.

Hubby also keeps a "watchful eye" of protection.

Hawks are beautiful to look at but not as prey over "his" special birds.

As Scripture reminds us, many birds have no storeroom or barn: yet, God feeds them.(Luke 12:24) Sometimes he uses my husband in that transaction.

Three beautiful bird's eye views.

MUSINGS ON A SNOWY MONDAY!

ELHOIM----

In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. 

How beautiful to be able to see so much of your creation from my kitchen window.

Snowed in. It keeps me still. How sad that I still need outside help to have me stop/be still...beyond the boot on my foot.

How grateful I am for the awe right in my own yard.....

.....and a hubby who helps feed me and his roly-poly birds. 

PRAISE! PRAY! PEG!

Saturday Short---5 Words or Less.

"Praise, Pray, and Peg Away." 

5 framed words by the kitchen sink at Ruth Bell Graham's home. 

Anne Graham Lotz reflections told of that in her recent email. It seems even famous godly gals have roller-coaster years. 

Prayers & unanswered prayers.

Days of energy & too tired to hold head up.

Relaxation and STRESS. (emphasis, mine) 

Heart-filling hope and spirit-crushing disappointments. 

So what does AGL, of AnGeL Ministries do in such times? 

She recalls those 5 words for strength as she pegs away!

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Chins-up!

It's my friend's way of saying, "I'm with you" so let's laugh together. 

And the focus is changed with a verse of gratitude.

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

Even if it takes us awhile to see God at work for "good," remember, "in everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and "wait expectantly to see what's going to happen.

To wait can be active...an eager anticipation of what God in His with-ness is going to do with me...allowing me to see His tangible goodness in my life in His timing.

KIDSPEAK WISDOM & OTHER GOD SOURCES,

Storms of life can sometimes bring darkness. Sometimes the storms can seem so dark that one forgets to look for the blessings. How grateful I am for ones in my life, from family to friends who offer the right reminders, from words to pictures.

Youngest grandson gave one of those "out of the mouth of babes" comments that was so relevant.

The sun's awake so I'm awake.

What a positive way to approach each new day for a little tyke. 

In his 80s, Daddy, would say each morning, "I'm grateful for everyday the good Lord gives me."

Photos sent from friend, Anne B. 

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

Result--Today My prayers changed from petition to praise!

ADDENDUM: Just minutes after I had already typed this, brother Buddy, called from Vanderbilt Trauma PT saying he is being released on Saturday to go home to Louisville, KY. Hallelujah! 

What a praise!

SATURDAY-SHORT!

Little book with BIG truths from Scripture!

In 5 words or less. My way to help my ever decreasing memory.

....I am with you always.....(Matthew 28:20) 

THOTS--Trusting Him on this Subject!

His Presence always. Remains perpetually. 

Regardless of circumstances.

On every occasion.

God here now and even until the end of the age.

Keep focused here today, girl!

This Saturday short just got longer......

After I finished this entry, I stumbled, fell and twisted/sprained or broke my ankle.

LANGUAGE OF HOPE!

Worries have you sleepless?

Fear have you tossing and turning?

What's does one do when she hopes for a good night's sleep, "safe and secure from all alarms"?

The LORD is my Shepherd.....He leads me beside still waters...He restores my soul....He is with me.......He comforts me.......I will dwell with Him forever. 

hARDWIRED FOR HOPE!

Day 1 of 40 Days of Hope reminded me that true lasting hope is never found horizontally.

True lasting hope is only ever found vertically, at the feet of the Messiah, the One who is hope. (Tripp, p.11)

NEW YEAR'S DAY 2024!

May today, January 1, 2024 be a blessed beginning to 2024!

As the City of Hope declares this 1st day of 2024, "A lovely day for hope." 

For me, that includes spiritual as well as physical, undergirded by Romans 15:13.

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