MONDAY MEMORY!

Unable to find one thing can lead to another----a sweet memory!

It might be seen as just a bookmark! For me, it's so much more.

Wildflowers on a Georgia O'Keefe bookmark with a "kind" quote! 

Marie Jordan!

So her! A giver of gifts!

The visits I had at her home on Murfreesboro Rd. in Franklin, TN once included a "sit-down" in her garden. Of course, she was a wildflower expert!

Avid reader would be the term that described her best to me. When I would leave her home I would leave with a book as well as a list of book recs.

She introduced me to The Mitford series and we shared a love of the importance of a public library. She even received a proclamation for her years of service to the Williamson County Public library. (2009) 

 

Marie, a spry widow, (think biking to the public square not far from her home) who blessed my heart immensely!

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9)

CHOOSE: FRIDAY FUN

It's easy to choose Friday Fun when you're with friends---especially when it has been Friday ever since Tuesday!

God's Word says there is a friend who sticks closer than a bother. (Proverbs 18:24) I have GREAT brothers so these special friends stick with me just as my brothers do. Friends who are there through thick and thin. Friends who "nurse" you through your cancer journey.

Friends who often put your needs above their own. Friends whose very presence blesses your that you might bless others by their example.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

What fun it was to celebrate Friday together for 4 days this week!

FORGIVENESS

2/29/12    FORGIVENESS---it's all about grace.

Hearing from 3 blog readers who would underline forgiveness in this week's, Colossians 3:12-14, meditation passage, I decided to post a link to my "teaching" on that topic. I confess that I did not want to teach that topic---but God......and you know how that goes. How grateful I am that the Lord had me deal with this issue a few months before my cancer diagnosis. I can only imagine how difficult that journey and healing would have been without having been finally purged (over 20 years of trying) from the bitterness and resentment of my "wounded" spirit. 

Alliterative outline is included to help remember 1. Repent. 2. Release. 3. Refocus. Yet it goes beyond that---dealing with "deep hurts" and smoldering resentment. Listen if you have need. It will be my voice and my heart that you hear. 

http://www.firstevan.com/?s=Dotsy+liles

Meditation Musings

2/27/12 When meditating on God’s Word, what is most important?  Scripture selection? Time? Place? Is amount of time more important than a place with no distractions? Is a long passage better than a few verses? Does posture matter? The answers to all these questions will vary from person to person based on individual situations and often even on one's season of life. Time frame might be decided based on one’s schedule or sleep patterns.  What matters is meditation. Spending time in God’s word.

Today I decided to read only 3 verses from Colossians chapter 3. Though it’s only 3 verses, Billy Graham emphasizes that the Lord can even use only “ a few verses at a time” to “reshape your life.” (Nearing Home p. 154)

Foster, too, states, “It is better to take small portions and digest them fully that to attempt to gorge yourself and get spiritual indigestion.” (Foster, p. 131)

I began by reading this passage aloud in its entirety----somewhat along the lines on an example given in Sanctuary of the Soul. (Foster, p. 124)

After reading aloud once, I went back and prayerfully asked God to focus my attention on verses that needed my attention. I reread, underlining words or phrases that stood out to me.

I waited in “listening silence” (Foster, p. 125)

Then I "steeped" some more by reading only the underlined words. 

The single phrase that stood out was “chosen of God” and that’s the 3 words I’m carrying with me to “think on” for the next few days. Already I’m asking myself if my actions are consistent with that privilege, “chosen of God” and what kind of heart does one “chosen of God” put on every day?

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

I’m still musing this verse. Muse with me. Let me know your meditation musings either on Colossians 3: 12-14 or whatever verses the Spirit has for you.