CHOOSE: NOT TO DIVIDE

"I don't "do" numbers." is a declarative sentence I often use. Just yesterday I used it in the joy blog entry.

Therefore it makes sense that my mathematical calculations don't go much past add, subtract, multiply and divide. In fact, I remember in 4th grade having trouble with division. I sat in my teacher's (Mrs. Munday) lap and cried over my ineptness with remainders and such.

But....division is a necessary calculation in our world.
However, division is not needed in one aspect of a Christian's walk.

There is always one common denominator---Jesus. I know that's fractions, which I also don't do well, but I do understand "that figure" for the total population of all Christians should express the same value. Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
Chuck Swindoll reminds us in chapter 3 of Christ at the Crossroads, that when one divides his/her life into secular and spiritual, he/she has forgotten who's in charge.
In the individual life of each believer....

....there should be no division of the secular and sacred.

You are what you believe in every facet of your life. 

Today, I choose not to divide what I believe with how I act. 

Trust me, such choosing has to be a daily, actually a moment by moment, choice!

CHOOSE: MULTIPLYING JOY

How does a worrier multiply joy?
Worry negates joy.

A cup of worry can cover life like a fog that covers 7 city blocks. Yet, a fog though thick and dense, can be reduced to 1 cup of water. (Chuck Swindoll, Christ at the Crossroads) That sounds like a scientific deduction I can't begin to understand. But, certainly a cup of water sounds like it's easier to handle than 7 blocks of fog in one's life. 
I not only need to replace worry with joy in my own life, but I also want to "pay it forward" in the lives of others. I want to be a multiplier of joy.

Multiplying joy is and of itself an equation. Though I am NOT a "numbers person," I need to work out this worry "problem" with help.

His joy > my worries = my joy with a remainder of joy for others.

John 15:11 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!" (TCB)
Fullest possible joy." is the way NCV translates.

Fulness of joy = complete joy---with no room for worry. Worry is substituted/replaced with sufficient joy so that there is a joyful remainder to share.

And God is able to bless you abundantly. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Multiplying joy = joy in abundance. 

Multiplying His joy in and through  me is the best calculation for serving others with joy as Thanksgiving approaches.

CHOOSE: TO CALCULATE WITH GOD

Calculation, in beginning mathematics, often includes subtraction. 

In the spiritual life it's a very important component of one's day---when used to subtract "our" additions. Our additions, which are not in right relationship with the Lord's plan for our day, need to be taken away. As my grandson would say, "two take away one is one." Spiritually we need to keep the "ones" which are God's and "take away" others. The terminology, subtract or take away or use of the minus symbol - , doesn't matter. God's formula for our lives is always the right answer. Subtraction often syncs with submission.
However, one subtraction is NEVER a component of a godly relationship.

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.(Psalm 25:4-5)

One doesn't ever subtract God from any area of life---whether ordinary and seemingly mundane or crisis. To do so, allows doubt to come in from all sides.

So...I chose to begin my day prayerfully calculating with Him---and it's a good thing I used an erasable pen!

CHOOSE: TO HEED

Pray and Obey. Pithy with a punch. It even rhymes!  A great reminder to heed.

The Lord has been revealing much to me in His word this week as I have chosen to "pray" scripture.

Now....it's up to me. Will I obey the truth I have been shown? 

Some obedience is much easier than others. But God.....wants it all.

Taking every thought captive seems to me a besetting sin. (2 Corinthians 10:5,) i.e. worry. (Philippians 4:6)

Marginalia to the rescue. Chuck Swindoll notes, from the anxiety chapter 3 of Christ at the Crossroads, reminded me:

I worry when...

ADD--- something else to my already FULL agenda

          ---my reputation/pride to a situation

          ---someone else's expectation of  me ..........& then I become angry.

I worry when I calculate without God....considering consequences of "addition without him" seems a good beginning point for lots of needed heeding.

Now, I need to choose to heed, but I think I'll just focus on inappropriate addition---that seems doable today. I certainly don't need to add frustration or anger to my life, which Swindoll sees as a result of too much addition.

"Ecs-TEA-cy"

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,...(Psalm 127:3, ESV)

A cuppa ecs-TEA-cy is sweetened during time with family, especially 7 little (& not so little) grands---

“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.”  Chuck Swindoll

Pictures on the beach feels like a lot of "hammering" and sometimes requires a little solace from one's thumb!"