DITHERING DITSY!

One might suppose that a person whose first "word of the day" for the week is "dither" would profit with that head's up.

But.....when one's spouse will be undergoing some serious surgery within a week..... All-a Dither has been my response!

 

The "indecisively" definition is  boldly true! Decision making is beyond difficult for me! So many factors. So much beyond my control!

Sounds like real life, doesn't it?

But God, in HIs love and mercy can use those factors to "up my trust factor." Trust God, not self!

Even this "Dithering Ditsy" understands the importance of placing your trust in the right place.....with the only ONE who is trustworthy!!

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! 

PSALM ON SHIRT!

Traveling quite a distance with hubby to a Carolina Hand & Sports Medicine clinic, we took a quick left onto Old Balsam Rd. It was the beginning of a couple of God winks!

The place was packed; the staff were plentiful and helpful. Still lines existed to taste the apples and buy sweet "apple" treats of cider, turnovers, fritters, cookies, loaf cakes, apple pies, slushies  etc. 

But God, in His love and mercy took it a step further to a spiritual realm.

H, our check out gal, had a sweet spirit and a Psalm on her shirt. 

Front and Back. 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalm 42:1) 

Conversation ensued. Leaving us more prepared for the upcoming doc appointment! If that's not a "God Wink" I don't know what is!

Soul strengthening is reason we stopped there again as we headed home. H had us laughing and sharing Elvis stories....though we did purchase a few turnovers and fritters to share with godly but ailing neighbors!

All because of a Psalm on a Shirt!

RING A BELL PHRASES

BUT GOD blog entries, probably most of any---approx 150, always ring a bell when I hear that phrase! His love and mercy reminders spring forth!

Family and friends often share phrases and acrostics to "ring my bell" metaphorically to trigger my memory. Those ring loudly---think Terry @ Bryson City FBC LOUD!

Don't settle for safety; Jesus offers security. Amanda McElrath

God's Grace 

Keeps Pace 

with what we face. Brother Buddy

Gaze at God! Glance at all else. Carolyn W.

Let's let Acts go through us. 

Togetherness (fellowship) fulfills a longing for belonging. Son Buddy

W atch

A nd

I ncrease 

T rust        Bernie

Use Roundup on your bitterness rather than fertilizer. Scottie Smith

What I make much of is much to me. Andrew Beach

Be kind to one another. Nō-ah who was "fō-ah" 2008 (Eph. 4:32) 

BUT GOD!!!

Once again, I sense that I have been sent to time-out.

But God in His love and mercy has been there with me!

He has given prayer warriors who stand with me! Some lead me with encouragement. Others stand behind me ready to catch me If I fall.

"But God" is in control of every aspect of life's disappointments!

But God, the greatest short phrase uttered in history!*

God's mercy flows from His own loving heart......

....not from anything I have done to deserve it

Hallelujah!

*uttered by Paul in Ephesians

ANNIVERSARY TURNING POINT!

Today is the first day of autumn. A turning point in the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It arrives at 2:19 EST in our town. I'm ready.........

The leaves of the dogwoods on our side of the  mountain are starting to turn. Hopefully, a refreshing "nip in the air" will come soon!

Today, for us, is the first anniversary of our residency in North Carolina.

Admittedly, it has not been an easy turning point for me. But God in His love and mercy has been with me in every distractible moment. 

Acts 17:26: has been my reminder......God has determined allotted periods and the boundaries of (our) dwelling place.

 

We are here, in this very location, for a reason. 

His reason!

A grace place of sorts.

May others see Christ in us, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27).....as

In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28a)

A true turning point regardless of where we live or how distractible my mind has become.

KEY TO PERSEVERANCE!

Moving! Think to another location.

Uprooting and relocation are easier for some than for others.

I am one of the others! Many in the last season of life might say that.

But God....in His love and mercy can provide grace needed for any of our uprooted moments when relocating. He has given us Himself!

Allow Him to change your new address into a "grace place" of refuge.

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come. 

(Psalm 71:3, ESV)

Truth in His word provides refuge......the key to perseverance!

SLPPING AND SLOSHING!

A RAINY DAY---weather can be a deterrent for one who is on a cane and "not in the mood" to get drenched.

But God in His love and mercy had us in route. We grabbed an umbrella & stayed the course. (Ephesians 2:4)

It became more of an auditory walk----we heard raindrops and splashes with every step. We began to savor those quiet moments wrapped in rain. 

We even took our umbrella down to relish our sense of touch.

How grateful for a new "walk" perspective---muscle mass might not have been improved but my spirit was. 

I felt like singing in the rain----what a happy refrain....."singin' just singin' in the rain." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

GOD'S MERCY

Some days are a stay in one's jammies all day kind od day. 

Two days ago was such a day for me. Was that a "bad" thing for me to do? I certainly berated myself for each nap I needed.

Even though I was beyond being physically pooped, I certainly wore the guilt robe throughout the day!

But God in his love and mercy has us reading from the Allen Bible Church reading plan each night.

That night, April 30, had us reading from 1 Samuel 16!

When we got to verse 7, I knew I had been exonerated. Staying in one's "PJs" is not a crime. In spiritual terms, I could forgive myself because God does not look at one's outward appearance but at one's heart.

Hallelujah!

NO WANDERING IN WISDOM

A WISDOM Walk is intentional!

God has shown me that sometimes I need to trek away from the chaos  and head to the calm. 

My actual path.............

The terrain was a little rough/tough but so were the thoughts bombarding my brain. But God had me there for a reason.......to reflect and gain wisdom for upcoming decisions. Not to just sit and be still to hear His voice but to walk closely with Him in all areas of life......to find the narrow road that leads to wisdom.

Today's Jesus Calling entry stated those very points. 

• God loves me for who I am, not for what I do. 
• Walk closely with Him each moment. 
• Discern His voice. 
• Listen for His directives. 

My sheep know my voice and follow me wherever I lead. (John 10:4)

WOW = Words Of Wisdom from His word NOT my wandering guilt laden thoughts!

GROW AND GLOW!

How does one grow and glow?

Growing anew with a life change of location and all a move to a new state involves is all beyond me at this stage in life. 

It's not beyond the Lord. 

Trust is key when circumstances change both suddenly and dramatically.

How can one leave a beloved church family whose support she/he has cherished for 45+ years?

Keep on keeping on---in His strength/ the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and spirit and serve Him well......

• not hesitant
• not holding back 
• not lazy
• not lagging behind
• not slacking
• not slothful
• not tired of working

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.....(MSG)

CLEARING OUT!

What to keep? What to pitch?

Clearing out! Paring down!

Whatever one wants to call it-----it's hard to do!

But God.....in His love and mercy is there. (Ephesians 2:4) In His Word! 

May I never "pare down" my time in His Word,

May the Lord continue to hold my steps to the path He has for me even when I can't see what it is! (Psalm 17:5)

W WORDS FOR WEDNESDAY!

My latest knee malady is preventing me from a sorely needed "worship walk."

"But God" in His love and mercy reminded me, through the word rambling of a 5 year-old's alternative,

 "Hush your trout." I got it. Do you? 

He was trying to tell his dog to be still and be quiet. 

For me, the phrase "holy-hush" came to mind. 

Taking that phrase and putting it into practice---quiet & alone in my prayer chair with Bible open and "W" words leading me to truth.

CALM THE QUALM

Don't panic; I'm with you. (5 words or less) (Isaiah 41:10a, MSG)

No such button available in my life. 

But God in His love and mercy has given us His word and His Son, who is the word. (Ephesians 2:4, John 1:1)

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; (Psalm 37:7, NKJV)

Fret not, Dots.....to calm the qualm!

JOY!

A great day for a walk in the neighborhood! Walk & nice Weather to calm

my anxiety. Anxiety over checking-in for tomorrow's flight.

But God.....had me turn the corner. Looking up, I saw JOY!

Literally. Bright, colorful JOY!

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2. NLT)
 

BUT GOD!

Yesterday, our "Pulpit" Pastor, Wayne Smith Jr., mentioned "The Gospel Message in Two Words" as his sermon title. Immediately, "But God" came to mind. Those 2 words have gripped me time and time again.

But God....(Ephesians 2:4) in His love and mercy keeps us from being Deceived, Depraved and Doomed.

Smith encouraged use to remember that God works "in us," "for us" and "through us" as we serve Him.

How do we serve Him? 

By Identifying our passions, our experiences and our gifting, and using them to share God's love, mercy and truth with others.

Apart from Him we could not do that.

But God, in His love and rich mercy has made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and that's all we need!

SENSORY GARDEN!!

Mommy Molly created a sensory garden for her "special" Jack, who entered the world via a seizure. But God.... in His love and mercy brought him to our family. (Ephesians 2:4) 

Oh the lessons family have learned through this little man---some not so easy.....but all profitable!

Recently she created a "sensory garden" just for Jack from supplies donated by Home Depot!

All five senses are touched in this little guy's sensory haven!

Just click link below to see, hear and experience a bit of his sensory exploration thanks to Home Depot!

It will touch your heart!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CywhgCkuTrF/

I'm sure they would appreciate your feed back!💖 

MIRACLES!

I believe in miracles. Or do I?

When things in my life seem so apparently from the hand of God....that's a miracle for me.

I might not have a bumper sticker proclamation.....

"MIRACLES HAPPEN"

 .....But God showed me this am through my H.O.G. (Hand Of God prayer card) that it can be the small faith that keeps us (God's Ambassadors) from experiencing the genuinely miraculous. (Jim Fleming #67)

Maybe I need a "miracle" bumper sticker reminder for my head...and my heart! (Ephesians 2:4) 

JUMBLED FOCUS!

Is "jumbled focus" an oxymoron? Or am I just the moron? 

Wordsmiths know all about such contradictory terms. 

For this moron, whose brain is in a state of "organized chaos" these days, some oxymorons seem to make sense.

But God, in His mercy and great love, (Ephesians 2:4) patiently reminds me to "keep on keeping on" in the focus realm.

Setting (and resetting as needed) my "mind on things above not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)

God has been cutting me some slack lately as I have been in such a "fluctuating" state of focus. 

Maybe I, as well, need to "cut myself some slack" in the midst of this  "jumbled focus" time---knowing "in quietness and trust is my strength!"

TRUTH TRUMPS!

Festivals reign in the summer months in America. Music. Wine. Cherry blossom. Mystic. Beale Street.

Our word is filled with cultural ideology and belief. People certainly think differently---often wanting to state ideas and opinions as truth.  

This year a festival of IDEAS is being held in Aspen, CO this very week.

I am not opposed to ideas, beliefs or opinions. 

I certainly have plenty. But.......one needs to be careful that opinions don't blur the truth.

And you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

Sanctify them by thy truth; thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

The Lord is near to those who call upon him; to all who call upon him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

Truth Trumps!