ROADSIDE REMINDERS!

God's Way to get my attention is often on a roadside sign that leads right to our house. Side by side signs!

REST is GOD's LOVE!

"REST is GOD's LOVE!" needs to be in my vocabulary.

In a humorous way, the sign to the left could be a reminder to practice "rest" or one continue on to the Mountain View Manor Nursing Home just around the corner.

SERENE SABBATH: a synopsis

Sunday in an analogous capsule---since I've been swallowing many recently in my  somewhat homebound state

--Wake-up jolt---arrow prayers of thx.

--Swallow predniSONE w/food.  Breathing treament #1.

--Conviction.
--Reminders on prayer chair pillow, on journal, plaque and computer room wall calligraphy.

--I am waiting for the storm of this obstructive pulmonary disease to pass. Waiting for better days instead of seizing "ordinary" moments with a grateful heart.

I have quit dancing.
Dance Dotsy---as you did on your cancer journey. Get your eyes off of your circumstances. Look up into the eyes of your dance partner.

--Sabbath Rest * needed. No brick and  mortar church today. *Adam Mabry describes "Sabbath Rest" as a holy rest, a lingering with Him---a time of refreshment. A time to "breathe, pray, eat, reflect, worship." (p.113-118) Sounds like a plan to me!!
--Son Buddy's "One Anothering" sermon, Sing to one another." 

--I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing...
I'm gonna pray when the Spirit says pray, and obey the Spirit of the Lord.
--10am Symbicort puffs.
--Chat outside with 4 neighbors.
--Postural drainage with percussion treatment (clapping back w/ cupped hand.
--Another breathing treatment.
--PM vitamins & pro-biotic consideration.
--A healthy leftover salad for lunch (no prep needed by me) & an entire Hershey Bar w/ almonds for snack--& it wasn't even dark chocolate...........hm-m-m-m!

Began NYX best seller The Second Mountain.
Brooks had me at the intro.....describing one who radiates with joy as a person who delights in small pleasures and grateful for big ones, not perfect people but exhausted and stressed BUT they live for others, not for themselves. (xi, emphasis mine) Having reached the top of the first mountain of our culture that is built on personal identity, money, career, success and finding it "unsatisfying," Many reasons knock people of this mountaintop to the valleys, often breaking them open to bewilderment or a season of suffering. The valley is the making of them and as it interrupts the flow of everyday life. Within themselves they see an ability to care, to transcend self and care for others. They are finally able to love their neighbors as themselves, not as a slogan or scriptural type cliche

 

.............but I did check the Index to see where he was going. Found;  Christainity (15), grace (1), Jayber Crow (5), Jesus (8), Kierkegaard (5), C.S. Lewis, (16),
 --Listing "Breath " verses to ponder.
--Pausing to pray for Susan, my discipler, as it is her day & to ponder NT verses; Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 4:19, Mark 12:31-32 & Acts 17:25, with Serendipity NewTestament given to us by the Duntsches 30 yrs ago.

--Praising Him.
--Posturing for a nap, in a sitting position to aid breathing and allow for needed physical rest.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." (Psalm 150:6)

WILTING AWAY

Why is it so easy for good intentions to wilt away right before my eyes? Just like my sunny bright yellow bouquet did yesterday! Wilted & faded right before by eyes---just as my breath has faded this week until breathing treatments began to kick in. 

My energy cuppa is depleted. Do I need a cuppa S-TEA-rength???? 

"For with You is the fountain of life;" (Psalm 37:9a) I need to draw energy and direction from the "Fount" of every blessing. Inhaling deeply comes to mind. Inhaling at much all has been such a physical struggle this last week. 

But God......lead me to an Oswald Chambers quote. "Watch how God will wither up your confidence in natural virtues....and in any power you have, until you  learn to draw your life (my very breath) from the reservoir of life.... of Jesus."(My Utmost For His Highest, 12/30) Then Chambers added, "Thank God if you are going through a drying up experience." So, that's what I'm doing as I hang on to his word, especially in different translations of Psalm 87:7. It's keeping me focused that my strength comes from nothing "natural" or pharmaceutically but only from the Jesus, One True Source.........

And while they dance, people sing: “The source of my life comes from you.” (CEB)All my springs of joy are in you. (NASB)The source of my life springs from Jerusalem! (NLT)
All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you. (AMPC)            My fountains are in Thee. (YLT) 

As I was pondering these truths, Hubby came in the door with a perfect focal point from the farmer's market---A sunflower!....

...."not wilted" in any way and had survived last night's hail storm. Note all the seeds of hope in the middle of it!
Sunflower----a happy gift, a gift that symbolizes adoration of the One who created the sun and the sunflower.