GOD IS GOOD!

How does one know our God, the LORD, is Good?

Think: Taste and See! 

Taste every morsel of His word.

Fret not. (Dots) (Hebrew charah - burning or out of sorts over something you cannot change - 

Psalm 37:1, 7-8) 

Magnify the LORD. (Psalm 34:3)

Delight yourself in the LORD, (Psalm 37:4, 23)

God is Good!

There is but one good; That is God. (C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce)

FRIENDSHIP TO FELLOWSHIP

Depth can be added to friendship when two folks are on the same side of the struggle.

C.S. Lewis puts it this way. . .

It's why deep friendships are often found in support groups--for cancer, terminal diseases, addiction, divorce, betrayal as well as varying grief groups. There is a kinship found when two or sometimes more are on the same side of the struggle. (Proverbs 18:24)

Factor in fellowship and the relationship goes even deeper. Why?

In true fellowship Christ is factored in. It becomes two (or more) people on the same side of the struggle with Christ being the connection in the middle. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

I know because I have been there and am so grateful for the ones God put there with me, often ahead of me, to lead the way to victory, even though the struggle might remain. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

In-TEA-macy of Marriage

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. (Psalm 31:9, ESV)

Sometimes there seems to be no cuppa to serve, no words to say....in the darkest times of grief. Losing a spouse is such a time. Prayers. Comfort foods. Words of comfort. Nothing assuages the grief like being there for them.

They feasted on love; every mode of it---solemn and merry, romantic and realistic, sometimes as dramatic as a thunderstorm, sometimes comfortable and unemphatic as putting on your soft slippers. (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

Melody and Ronnie had such a marriage....filled with love! 

"perspicui-TEA"

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

Until a recent Allen Bible Church sermon, (5/11), I had used the word perspicui-TEA incorrectly. I even documented its use in my Bible years ago as I heard it from a former pastor. Obviously, I heard it incorrectly since clarity of truth is the hallmark of perspicuity in scripture. God's truth has no opacity when spiritually discerned by the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit gives clarity and understanding of scripture.

Clearly, God's word is infallible, even when I don't fully understand it. (2 Timothy 3:16) Living out (obedience) what I do know and do understand, allows me to continue to grow in knowledge of Him. I want my faith to be perspicuous in my life.

It is God's word that gives lucidity to my life of faith. 

It's why I use God's word as a filter to my thoughts and interpretations of scripture. 

A cuppa perspicui-TEA---
May I sit under God's Word and its veracity, imparted by the Spirit of  Truth.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” (C.S. Lewis)

Lucidi-TEA is key in studying God's Word. Therefore my "Tea with Thee" times start with a request for a cuppa  perspicui-TEA of spiritual wisdom to be served by my spiritual teacher. 

Simply seeking.....

4/10/12 Seeking.............

• simple faith 
• simple sustenance
• simple serenity

....for  sacrificial giving, strategic service and sowing seeds of hospitality.

 A simple quote from C. S. Lewis and a simple scripture passage kept me focused.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.  (Classic quotes collection, C. S. Lewis)

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29: 9-18)

Simply said, it's all about seeking Him.

WOW Factor in Meditation

3/25/13 Just finished Anne Lamott's, Help, Thanks, Wow--the three essentials of prayers and though I don't always agree with her "theology," that gal has a way with words. Pastor Cole alluded to her book title in yesterday's Palm Sunday message during our "Festival of Praise." He concludes that "praise" is the "wow" of prayer. He quoted C.S. Lewis, definition of praise. Praise is inner health made audible.
So.....this week's meditation will be on "praise" verses. Verses which for me are easy to find in my "old" Bible because they are marked in purple, per Kay Arthur's instruction in the first Bible Study I ever attended.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150:6, KJV)

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:1-5, NIV)

In KJV, word "bless," translation is used---but as applied to God, bless means to praise, implying a strong love & affection for him as well as a sense of gratitude. It's the chosen translation for "10,000 Reasons" song (Matt Redman) so naturally I love that version too!

A Mom and her special needs son join in the WOW of worship

Sing to the Lord a new song,.....for he has done marvelous things; Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (Psalm 98:1 & 4, KJV)

The entire service was full of the WOW of praise---from scripture readings to songs. A "wow" factor that has me continuing to meditate praise worthy scriptures.

SUFFERING....interrupting my plans

12/11/12 Suffering that's physical, but temporary---so what's the BIG deal, Dotsy? Too tired and weak to get out of bed. Too miserable to sleep.  Fever. Chills. Head ache. Sore throat. Cough. Yet, I know that in the scheme of things, my malady is minor.  But… right now it feels like MINOR in all caps! It’s interrupting my plans. Plans to be with friends in celebration and plans to be with other friends in the midst of their suffering. “Worthy plans,”are they not?

I have just had a fun, refreshing Austin, TX, trip with chums---it's our 23rd annual, and that was followed by a glorious visit to Doris' farm, not a sweeter place on earth for soul restoration. So, truly I should have NO complaints. Get over yourself, Dots!

One of my blog readers has chronic, severe headaches and she continues to find God's grace in every aspect of her 3-year search for answers.  This year I even had the privilege of transporting a “spiritual giant” to chemo and I NEVER hear her complain though I'm sure chemo was not originally her plan.

Another dear friend just emailed encouraging words because she, too, is now going to have the privilege of being there for a neighbor/friend as she starts her chemo journey. She’s where I want to be once again. Tonight I learned that sweet J.H.’s lymph node results were not what we had all hoped for. We had prayed “God’s best” for her. So….this must be part of His plan. But….my plan is to be there for her. His plan is that I will wait until I am healthy. I just need to trust His plan.

In fellow cancer sojourner, Michèle Phoenix’s, song, “You Are” (about her MAC cancer journey) she wrote,

"That this journey I follow with its joy and its sorrow,

is a gift I embrace 'cause it flows from Your grace.

I will trust in Your goodness in my season of weakness 

'cause it is what it is---but I know that You are who You are!"

 I have learned these last few years that it is in the classroom of suffering, (whether spiritual or physical---with ranges from minor to terminal), that the Lord teaches us life lessons. Lessons that build trust. Trust in Him, not self.

We're not doubting that God will do the best for us, we're wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. -CS Lewis

So, my plan tonight, in my semi-drug-induced state, is to head to bed with Romans 12:12 in my heart and on my lips and to pray for the aforementioned folks in the midst of their “hard place,” that they might be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction and fervent in prayer.” Maybe I need to add myself to that plan!

Jesus the Just

12/26/11 Sabbath Snapshots from Colorado finally posted.
http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2011/12/sabbath-snapshots-colorado.html

Meditation on "Jesus the Just" and "Jesus our Justifier" to follow.
The scripture will be 2 Samuel 23:1-7 if you want to begin on your own---which is a great idea!

1 These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
they are burned up where they lie.”

Insights from Pastor Cole's Christmas Eve Meditation, "Of the House and Lineage of David: in 2 Samuel 22-23
v.3 Men who fear God rule justly.
There is much blessing when a ruler takes God seriously and doesn't place himself in a god-like position
v. 4 Reign of the "Just" ones= harvest of sweet, tender grass, nourished by sunshine and rain
v. 6 Worthless men don't like justice.
Reign of "unjust" ones = a goodness drought, like a perpetual cloudy morn---as CS Lewis says, "always winter, never Christmas." (PTL, God's benefit (Jesus) lightens our darkness!)
But God.....in a world of injustice ruled by worthless men, there is still a "just" ruler who is unbounded by time and death. Jesus. The One who came in the fear of God as God Himself. One who knows our name and calls us friend. The Just One. Not only the Just One, but our Justifier.
v.5 ....our blessing and "everlasting covenant."
Our well being is found in the "just" reign of Jesus!

Sunday Sermonette

9/4/11 What great joy to have your daughter share her notes from today's Fellowship Memphis' sermon series, "Saving the Save: the Gospel to the Religious." (Kingdom Sculptors)
Her Matthew 13 marginalia emphasized the kingdom of heaven. She explained the "the Tares" and then shared "gospel footprints." She has been pondering Bryan Loritt's two questions. Are you leaving gospel footprints where you walk? If you left your neighborhood, would there be a gospel void? Good thought provoking questions for today's Christians.

Since dinner was in the making, we had to end our discussion much too soon but she told me the Lewis quote that she hopes to keep at the forefront of her thoughts this week.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. (C.S. Lewis)

A sermonette with much for this Christian to ponder.

"HAPPYs"

2-13-11

Daughter Molly is always calling to say she’s bought me a “happy”----probably partly due to the fact that she’s already way ahead on “official” designated gift days. I received my Valentine’s gift weeks ago. I have to admit, she is a thoughtful shopper so her gifts are always “right on,” though this frugal mom wishes she would spend the money on her self. This past week, she again revealed ahead of time (via Ma Bell) her most recent gift. She labeled it a “little happy” and it was “perfect” right down to the packaging. The set of bookplates included one with a teapot----so apropos! The packaging alone brought a smile to my face. A teacup with a C.S. Lewis quote that speaks my own heart, “You can’t get a cup of tea BIG enough or a book L O N G enough to suit me.” (I told you it was perfect!)

Her gifts bless my heart. They make me smile. She gives out of her own lack and she gives thoughtfully and not under compulsion; I could learn so much from her.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,….the cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:13a &15b)