OUR CREATOR!

On this misty mountain morning, I would feel lonely except for the Presence of the Lord and the blessings & prayers of friends from afar! 

Anne Brewer--November Calendar

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, 

for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies. 

Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

Even with the chill of the mountain air, I feel warm inside. The sun brings warmth to my toes. They are tapping. I feel like dancing....a ridiculous idea from someone who has trouble staying vertical on most days.

But God.....in His love and mercy has me considering dancing as I hum to quiet my soul. Humming to diminish the  noise in my head and heart, especially for dear ones!

Delighting in the presence of our Creator, I now begin to pray for others!

May we hum and toe tap together, in a "dance" of sorts, wherever God has us today! 

VETERANS'DAY!

CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY 2025

Remembering my favorite vet.

WWII Purple Heart Recipient. 

Wounded on Leyte Island in the Philippines leading his patrol.

Child of God. (1 Peter 3:15)

Son of Gena and Pap.

Wealth of words of kindness.

Evident gentleness.(Philippians 4:5)

My favorite Dance Partner!

A CUPPA SERENI-TEA❗️

Last night I saw the sunset looking west out of our great room window. It was the first time to spend the night in our new home. 

This morning looking east from the kitchen window, I was able to sip a cuppa sereni-TEA.  Serene…….even though the weather was drizzly, I knew I was right where the Lord wanted us to be❣️

Morning view looked right across the street to a new neighbor’s home. 

Later she came over to say hi and welcome us to the neighborhood. 

Praises!

REFLECTIVE TRUTH!

Times of reflecting....
One might need to return to basics especially during this time of hurry-scurry.

Biblical-basis underway.

Having a struggle....choose to "D.A.N.C.E.

• D iscover what God's word says about your situation
• A ccept the circumstances as for your good
• N otice God's hand in the midst
• C elebrate your moments
• E xtend lessons learned to others to encourage them

DANCE IS STILL A CHOICE!

Dance can be a divisive topic. Physically. Socially. Spiritually  

Dance has certainly changed physically and socially through the years. 

Some folks can be dismissive of dance as one ages and choose to sit out.

When people think you're too old to learn new tricks (steps)....take a "tap" class or Zumba Gold and show 'em! ) or not!

What about spiritual? Again, choices vary.

Certain congregation participants refuse to clap or raise hands within their sanctuary, regardless of the music that plays---hymns or praise songs. Others dance in the aisles. Not wrong, just different. 

Dancing is mentioned in the Bible and used in the OT as a means of worship. 

Read a few Bible verses and decide for yourself.

In 2 Samuel 6:14, "David dances before the Lord with all his might," an example of surrender to his Maker

"Let them praise his name with dancing..."(Psalm 149:3)

Psalm 150 includes ways of praising the Lord with trumpet, harp, lyre and dance, along with other instruments.

"...there is a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Lamentations 5:15 illustrates, joy leaving our hearts when dancing has turned to mourning.

When you get the choice to sit it out or dance....DANCE! 

That would be my choice. What's yours?

 

Dance is still a choice....no answer is right or wrong, just different. 

D.A.N.C.E.

D.A.N.C.E.

Having a struggle....choose to "D.A.N.C.E.

• D iscover what God's word says about your situation
• A ccept the circumstances as for your good
• N otice God's hand in the midst
• C elebrate your moments
• E xtend lessons learned to others to encourage them

THX Doris for sharing this reminder to dance----It is a choice!

HAPPY DANCE DAY!

Today is Happy Dance Day! Who knew?! K-LOVE!

What a blessing to hear others share of God's goodness in their lives.

They know how to "happy dance" with gratitude from their hearts without even moving their feet.

But.....for me I can at least tap my toes knowing the One who has "turned my mourning into dancing, girded me with joy" and gladness and sees my dancing as worshipful gratitude.

MercyMe has a "Happy Dance" praise song! My "Happy Dance" contemporary worship praise song is Sydney Carter's "Lord of the Dance" with the melody of Simple Gifts.

A Happy Dance as K-Love dubs it!

P.E.A.C.E.

P.E.A.C.E.

Acrostics to help us remember. Used often by me for self and others

Pray.

Enjoy. 

Accept this as "father-filtered.

Center your thoughts on Him and His will for you...

Expect to see God's hand in your life during this struggle.

P.E.A.C.E. Come up with an acrostic of your own to share with me or others.

IN THE PINK!

The idiom "in the pink" has been a defining term for many seniors  this past year. It was their way of saying, I'm grateful to be alive and well. I am truly in the pink! As Daddy aged, he would say, "I'm grateful for each day the good Lord gives me!"

The chorus of "Alive and Breathing" by Ellie Limebear and Matt Maher 2019 says it well.......and was sung beautifully by Ephie Johnson and the First Evan choir.*

Joy still comes in the morning, hope still walks with the hurting.

If you're still alive and breathing, praise the Lord.

Don't stop dancing and dreaming.

There's still good news worth repeating,

So, lift your hand and keep singing, "Praise the Lord.

May these words put you "in the pink"physically, emotionally & spiritually this rainy, foggy Meditation Monday morning. And for an uplifting treat tonight---glimpse the Harvest Moon before you head to bed.

*  Alive and Breathing--FirstEvan YouTube 9/19/2021

joy......Joy......JOY!

Struggling lately. Depressed spirit. Enveloped by a pall of sadness and grief.

Lethargy looms.

Knowing joy is a choice.......guilt ensued.

Joy is a by-product of an attitude of gratitude.

I had taken off my dance shoes. 

The Bible is a book of joy! (Deuteronomy 16:15)

Exercise needed. More time in His Word. (Psalm 94:19) D.

Acceptance. Keep on keeping on. (Philippians 4:4) A.

Fulness of Joy RX. (Psalm 16:11, I Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Don't lose hope. (Romans 12:12) N.

Consolations from friends. (Psalm 94:19) Thanks, Dixie! C.

I need to find my D.A.N.C.E. shoes. E. 

Exercise joy.....Joy.....until it gets to JOY!----

                            my basic "barre exercise" for abunDANCE. 

SOUL FOOD 2020

My March 20, 2020 entry, Attack-a Stack, explained the "creative" way I was extending my quiet times. Today the devotional book at the top of the stack was so timely! Streams in the Desert (L.B. Cowman)

It could have been written TODAY---for such a time as this! A Covid 19 Pandemic times. Copyright laws prevent me from printing it all here.* 

The entry began with scripture, as always. Today's was from 2 Kings 4:4.

Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.

My musings---

A widow with her two sons were to be alone with God. God only. Removed from their circumstances. Totally isolated. A time to get in touch with God alone---to depend on Him. God, the Source of miracles.

Analogy given was that of Christians on the treadmill of life, ordinary, predictable. A time was needed to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith. A time for God to show us something new. Something Divine. A new pattern for life with Him.

Like the widow, "detached from outward things and attached inwardly to the Lord alone in order to see His wonders." --from Soul Food. 

In my life, God isolated me during my cancer journey.(2009) God clearly spoke to me from the MAC diagnosis to a year of surgeries and treatments. I was fed by others, with a syringe through a pencil sized hole in my mouth. Hands of others liquified my food for intake. 

But God.....He, Himself, fed me daily. Soul food straight from His Word. 

My pattern was a D.A.N.C.E.. It's when God taught me "our" DANCE--a dance He had just for me. He became my dance partner and led me in every step. A unique dance. He was there for evey twist and turn. I kept focus---always looking up into His face and not down at my feet. (circumstances) If I did stumble, He was always there to keep me from falling headlong.(Psalm 37:24, NIV)

It became the first big step of fruit bearing for me....as I stepped out & shared my story. 

I will be forever grateful for soul food from His hand and others who became HIs hands and feet on my behalf. (Psalm 27:13, NKJV)

* For the complete God's Pattern-Streams in the Desert, click the highlight.

CHOOSE: FELLOWSHIP

There's friendship and then there's fellowship---friend Ellen has taught me all about the "Dance of Fellowship." Her wisdom continues to give me glimpses into the various positions in the dances we choose throughout our lives.

Closed position. I know about that "dance." It's the position of believers leaning in on the Lord and allowing Him to lead in the "Dance of Life"---the unique dance He has for each of us. 

Circle Dances. A dance of unbroken faith held together by those who come around you---not offering first hand knowledge of your struggle but being there anyway. Encircling you with prayer and calling others to join in,

Line Dances. Those dances where believers line up in support because they all know this dance---every single step. It's the "struggling" dance available to those in fellowship on the same side of the suffering.

Whether we walk through life (started 27th year of walking in February '17)....

.....or dance together through our struggles, we've been there for each other. 

That's what the "dance of fellowship" is all about. 

It's easy to choose fellowship with Ellen.

CHOOSE: HIS GUIDANCE

Hubby's high school chum, Norman Mitchell, introduced us (2009) to the "faith family's" definition for guidance. It certainly fit my cancer journey, which I had dubbed, "my dance."  Linguistically, it's use is probably metaphorical or maybe analogous, to my trusting the Lord to guide me during that time of the "unknown."
Each twist and turn seemed to be a new step in my "MAC Dance."

One lesson learned from that experience is that the dance of life never quits until heaven.
The dance might change steps and the music might go from lament and blues to doo-wop and gospel, but life, and all it's ruts and bumps as well as fun, frivolity and worship is always better when it's done with Him.

God, you and I definitely dance---and when You are doing the leading, it's a wonder to behold!

CHOOSE DANCING

Choosing dancing can be an easy choice when life is going well. 

It can also be an easy choice when one is at the Apple store getting help on a disabled computer while using their wifi. Apple Store wifi dances and does not drop----hooray for "dancing" wifi!"

But....do we sometimes get complacent and forget to choose dancing. Forget to celebrate. Forget to be thankful.

Dancing can be an expression of gratitude.

Gift from Ashley Bryan---Used with the Artist's Permission

A video with "my" Ukraine ladies dancing with the Lord with their ladies from India warmed my heart. They chose to take my D.A.N.C.E. dance to India. We often think we, the United States, are the only ones who send missionaries. At the missions conference this week the number of missionaries going out from South Korea was unbelievable.
Some are sent to the US. Just last year, I met, in Turkey, a lady from South Korea who, with her husband, had been a missionary in New York City.
Such news pleased me as NY is home to three of my most precious loved ones.
That kind of news makes is easy to "choose dancing!"

Do you Wanna Dance???

Wait ----I always wanna dance! I need to DA.N.C.E.----but I've lost my groove!
I'm not talking here of grooving to MoTown music. At the first strains of The Temptations, my toes start to tapping.
I'm talking "groove" as a noun---an established routine!

When I encounter struggles in health---mental or physical or "hurts" of the emotional sort, I practice turning to the Lord for understanding. That's the norm---the groove.
Lately, I seem to have turned to every "other" remedy including denial, i.e. "putting my head under the pillow" or busyness to take my mind off the problem. I need to D.A.N.C.E.
Discover what God's word says about the situation.
Accept where you are in the midst of it & ASK for His help.
Notice God's Hand in it.
Celebrate moments of victory, no matter how small.
Extend to another what you have learned in the midst of the struggle/life lesson.

Do you Wanna Dance??? I do!
I'm going to choose to D.A.N.C.E.

Dance Step "E"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A Springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

The Message version of the concluding verse says it well---

You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance;

You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.

I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you.

God, my God, I can’t thank you enough. (Psalm 30:11)

A KJV version whether "written on the tablet of one's heart" (Proverbs 3:3) or hanging at her backdoor, emphasizes "mourning turned into dancing" by Him.

Dance step “E” Extending & Encouraging

D eciding, Delving, Discovering  (Psalm 119: 139 & 160)

A ccepting & Attending (1 Thess. 2:13)

N oticing God’s Hand in ALL Circumstances (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C elebrating God’s goodness and being thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)

E xtending lessons learned during one’s own struggle as a way of Encouraging others. (Psalm 89:1)

Last week's Dance Step "C" dealt with celebrating God’s gooness in all aspects of life and giving thanks in all the "little" things. Big blessings tend to result as folks fill their heats with gratitude, which results in even more celebrating. 

Wrapping up the D.A.N.C.E. aspects of "Dancing with the Lord" included 2 movements for "E"----extending and encouraging. 

Extending = sharing one's story/journey/struggle with others. 

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness, to all generations” (Psalm 89:1)

Encouraging =  (even above my fireplace)

An 10/8/09 letter from MAC survivor, Michèle  encouraged me to share my story with others---to extend the blessings I discovered in the middle of a cancer journey as a way to encourage others in the midst of their struggles. 

Teaching “dance lessons” this summer and celebrating Michèle's upcoming July 4th seven years of survival, I was reminded of the responsibility I had learned from her....(WORTH THE READ)

.....we all  have, as “household of faith” survivors of what ever tough place of hurt or painful struggle we have encountered, to stand at the top and call down to those still struggling to the summit.  Whether they’re emotional, physical, or spiritual, the mountains we’ve conquered are not ours to own, but ours to share.  

We might not always want to revisit the pain we’ve suffered or the crippling we’ve endured, but if we don’t offer them to others as a testimony of God’s sustenance and love, our fellow travelers may not have to courage to find their way to the top. 

My encouragement to you, Dotsy?  

Speak of the treacherous paths and looming precipices you’ve known, tell the story of your climb, the tale of your survival.  And when you’ve reached a place that is beautiful and stable and “breathable,” call down to those who follow and tell them of the strength that comes from surrendered weakness, of the peace that comes from vulnerable faith.  Tell them that you stumbled.  Tell them that you wanted to give up.  Tell them that you were bruised by doubt and battered by despair…but that you made it.  You.  Made.  It.  And the view from the summit of survival?  It’s priceless.

So......from my heart and above my fireplace, "I hope you dance" and tell others (extend to them) how the Lord orchestrated your dance that your words might to encourage them. ( TX Doris for the pic)

Dance Step "C"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A Springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" Discussions 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

Last week's Dance Step "N" had each one “take notice” of God’s hand in all aspects of life. Once the "noticing" had one really looking to see the Lord's participation, there was cause to segue to the next step----"C" for celebration. 

Intentionality, in looking for God's hand often results in Glory Bumps.  The more we see His involvement in life, the more prevalent those "bumps" become.

Glory Bumps are similar to the goose pimply feeling that you get when you read a Hallmark card or hear a story that touches your heart. But “glory bumps” are more than that. Glory bumps are precipitated by an awareness of God’s involvement--a “God thing” a "God wink"---those incidences in our lives with a spiritual connection.  Glory bumps might result from seeing a miracle or a moving of God’s hand or just from experiencing the grand sense of LIFE that is beyond our comprehension. 

One's circumstances and situations might not change but an attitude adjustment can give a new perspective. Thanksgiving follows and a thankful heart is always a cause for celebration!

An "attitude of gratitude" helps to make even the seemingly "small" steps toward a life of abunDANCE seem worth celebrating! Dance Step "C," a dance of celebration, goes hand and hand with gratitude! 

D eciding, Delving, Discovering  (Psalm 119: 139 & 160)

A ccepting & being Attentive (1 Thess. 2:13)

N oticing God’s Hand in ALL Circumstances (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C elebrating God’s goodness and being thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)

E 

Finding great summation notes in the front of a "used copy from Amazon" of a study book, could cause "glory bumps" if one was prepping for a test!

Dance Step "N"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas  A springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" Discussions 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

**Because you asked for info--- "Dancing in the Chips" story is from And God Said...Let There Be Laughter by Mary Hollingsworth.

Dance Lesson --N

D ecide (Joshua 24:14) Delve (Psalm 119:169) & Discover  (Psalm 119:130) 

A cceptance and Attentiveness (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

N otice God's hand in ALL areas of life (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)

C ....

E ....

Noticing involves intentionality. It seems that the more one “notices”, God’s hand in her life situations, the more God allows her to really see. Awareness becomes more constant/consistent. 

“Notice” verse--Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! (Psalm 66:5) Begin to LOOK for it!

Noticing involves focus and sometimes even positional change can give a new perspective.

Focus and position are essential in our "dance" especially in times of struggle when the "closed position" is needed, both in stance and time away from distractions. Focus on your "dance partner." Time in His Presence. Remember the One who is leading. See self as the "follower."

• ·      Close contact is employed as two dancers face toward each other.
• ·      A sense of connectedness occurs as the “leader’s” right hand is on the “follower’s” back, offering “step” security.
• ·      The “follower's” left hand is on the “leader's” right shoulder or upper arm near the shoulder, allowing an extra sense of directional change.
• ·      Palm to palm in an upper-hand clasp, the “follower’s” right hand is in the “leader’s” left hand, providing guidance.
• ·      Feet are often positioned slightly offset so that the right foot of either partner can step between the other partner's feet, aiding in transition.
• ·      Eyes are lifted thus the focus is away from the feet and ears are open for “whisper” clues.

D2D Dare to Dance

Dance Step "A"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas

A springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" discussions. 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)

It is always time to dance with the Lord---when dance means living a life of fullness/abundance w/ Him. It’s that dance/life that gets us through the "mourning’s"(griefs) of life---loss, disappointment, regret, fears, etc. 
Dance steps include the acceptance of the truth from John 10:10b where Jesus (our Shepherd) said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance” (to the full, till it overflows)(AMP) (abunDANCE, mine) The fullness or abundance of the Christian life is exhibited, according to Westcott, in three elements—safety, liberty, & support.
Jesus gives--thief takes!

In comparison, the first part of the verse reminds us, "..the thief comes in order to steal and kill and destroy." 
Identify the thief or thieves in your life. Ask self, “What have I allowed him to steal, destroy or kill in my life? John 10:10 is a new verse to hang our dance shoes on---shoes of acceptance and attentiveness for a life of abunDANCE.

ACCEPTANCE --For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (1 Thess. 2:13) ACCEPTANCE--of one's life situations and acceptance of what God’s Word shows you about those  circumstance. ATTENTIVENESS---Along with life situations, there are often verses that do just that---GET MY ATTENTION Ps 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
A recent NP ranger's forest fire story illustrated that verse for me---a bird found dead, feathers scorched & burned from flames of the fire....but when ranger turned her over with a stick, 3 little chicks waddled out. Secure. Safe from the fire by the covers of protection from the feathers of one who was trustworthy. 
ATTENTIVENESS to God's Word is always NEEDED because truth is NOT revealed to idle spectators! (C Huffman, 6/13/15)

Dance Lesson --A

D ecide (Joshua 24:14) Delve (Psalm 119:169) & Discover  (Psalm 119:130) 

A cceptance and Attentiveness

N ....

C ....

E ....

Acceptance of life's situations & attentiveness to God’s Word require a choice......just like a dancer chooses the "correct" shoes for each dance. 

Dances may change and shoe choices may vary but our Lord is steadfast, unchanging and His truth endures to all generations.
 If you’re wearing the wrong shoe, you’re asking for trouble. All of us need a shoe that FITS her own dance/ situation for Dance Step "A."

Dance Step "D"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas

A springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" discussions. 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)
When the stresses of life have you not knowing which way to turn....turn to the Lord and ask Him to lead you through this "new to you" life dance.

Lesson #1 w/ insights from the foreword and the afterword

Dance Lesson --D

D ecide (Joshua 24:14) Delve (Psalm 119:169) & Discover  (Psalm 119:130) 

A .....

N ....

C ....

E ....

• Step #1---Decide you want a life of abunDANCE. Turn to the Lord as your dance partner.
• Step #2---Delve---dig to discover the truth that is available about your struggle or hard place. Determine that the Lord has you there for a reason or season, as Robert Morgan teaches in his diminutive book, Red Sea Rules. Rule #2 states, " Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief."
• Step #3---Discover what God' Word says about your hard place----fear, (Isaiah 41:13) disease/poor health, (Psalm 73:26) disappointment, hurts, or rejection (Psalm 55:12-13) Consider word searching for abide, trust, sustain, belief, hope, refuge, protection, salvation, .

Remember godly living, aka "life of abundDANCE,"  is possible even during_________________(fill in your own difficult time or struggle) as your "dance" will be unique.

Allow the Lord to turn your mourning into gladness in the midst of your struggle----that you might "dance" with HIm. (Psalm 30:11)