THRUST OF TRUST REMINDER!

THRUST OF TRUST has me leaning in to the Lord for needed strength.

PRAISE GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

(2 Samuel 22:33, emphasis mine)

This card in the morning mail did just that for me. 

Think trust (hope in; wait on).

May I use the Lord's strength today for His glory and the good of others as the joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

BEAUTY FOUND IN TANGLED WEBS!

Photographer friend, Anne B., has a way of finding and highlighting beauty in the messes of life!

I, on the other hand, lately have a way of making messes in life or walking in fear that my decisions might mess things up for everyone. Decision making is so difficult as "what ifs" flutter all around in my mind.

My Uncle John Edward learned during WWII to "pull self up" by his boot straps. I don't even have any bootstraps. Plus, it sounds self-reliant to me!

If I have been constantly reminded of anything since our move to NC.....it's the need to lean into the Lord every day. It's His strength I need. His path I want. Leaning in to Him gives both strength and a straight path.

Today, even in the tangles, may I find fulness of joy in His presence as I follow the path of life He has made known to me. (Psalm 16:11)

WOW = WORDS OF WISDOM!

All true wisdom comes from God.

Trust in Him = Help!

A thrust of trust for Thursday!

MUSICAL MONDAY!

Meditation Monday became musical Monday thanks to longtime friend Doris' sharing this YouTube with me "As the Deer Pants" by David Phelps.....

https://youtu.be/tqGtufR-aIA?si=D9Cb86mc0rcsY_zh

.......and even longer-time friend Melody sharing the hymn which always brought tears to both, Fred Laughlin, her dad and her church friend, Bill Simmons as well. "Because He Lives" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnUDqibR_W4 

Hoping Musical Monday links  "work"* on this entry so God can use it to help draw you unto Himself.

*Might have to skip ad to get to the music

PRAYER REQUESTS!

In this "aging" season of life, (Aren't they all!?) most of my prayer requests have been for energy or strength. 

Sometimes we need a second wind, to make it through the age-related storms of life. For me, too often even a "first" wind is needed!

Those who wait-ESV (hope -CEB) (trust-CEV) for the LORD (ADONAI-CJB, Jehovah-DARBY, NOG-Yahweh) shall renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Without His leading with His "second wind" strength, such hypervigilance/overstimulation can cause flat-out fatigue!

Strength needed! His Strength!!

Strength for His Service....not self.

WISE WORDS!

WEEKEND WISDOM!

Wise Words.

5 words or FEWER. Here they are....count them.

Look for the BIG meaning! (Citations don't count)

• Be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9)
• Seek the Lord's strength; (1 Chronicles 16:11)
• Joy of Lord is strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) 
• God is my heart's strength. (Psalm 73:26)
• Quietness and trust is strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

What's the focus for each set of "5 or FEWER"?

Strength of course!

TARRYING TUESDAY!

Tarrying in scripture was the directive, during Pentecost, for the disciples as they waited for the glorification of the Lord and the Holy Spirit to come. (Luke 24:49) For me, the analogy of tarrying is indicative of the waiting required for clarity, direction and power from God all of which are evidence of the ascended Christ.

Recently I have been focused on my physical condition when In fact, it's my spiritual condition that allows me to "put on Christ." (Romans 13:14)

Clothed in Christ. Think compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Lately, it seems sometimes I have to seek God's face from the stillness of my bed, front porch or out the window. Today is that kind of day for me. 

Neighbor's flame azalea. 

Aflame with the Spirit reminder. (Romans 12:11)

Tarrying. Lingering. Physically waiting in prayer to enable me to cling to His Presence throughout this day. 

May this Tarrying Tuesday be a time of waiting in God's Presence!

A soul-filling time!

CUSHION OF CALM!

A "Cushion of Calm" prevails before the predicted storm filled with gusts, ball-sized hail and tornadoes hits! 

How special to await it on our front porch with

a devotional book, a new book and a cuppa in my Lake Junaluska mug. The cushion in the chair, for the physical comfort I needed, even included the reminder. 

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS. IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

In times of storm His sovereignty gives us His strength and peace, aka a "cushion of calm".!

A time of God's peace to rule in our thankful hearts. So we dance.

SATURDAY SHORT IN THE MOUNTAINS: A RECALL!

Recalling last night's Lectio 365--a gift from Katya, my Ukrainian friend and sister in Christ............

May this Saturday short remain long in my heart!

FRIDAY FIVE!

My five words for focusing on this FRIDAY are so needed!

WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

AMEN!

PEACE REQUIRES ABSENCE OF FEAR!

Spiritual Peace (peace with God)

Relational Peace (peace with others)

Emotional Peace (peace within ourselves)

Allow the cross of Christ to be present in your life in order................

....................to let the peace of God rule in your heart!

Vanquish all fear!

Be thankful, keep your eyes on the cross and let peace replace fears!

FLATTENED BY FATIGUE: FUEL NEEDED!!

Fuel my prayers, Lord.
Your strength is needed!

Clinging to you Lord!

Your strength is needed! (Psalm 56:3-4)

Use my cries for help and your strength and power to shoulder me up that I might continue to love and serve others well.....whether I feel spent or not!

Fuel my prayers NOT fears. 

Lord, "I will trust in You" alone for all the rest! 

FLOUNDERING FORTITUDE!

STRENGTH diminishing! Why? What's the Source.....other than age or too much "me"?

Is it discouragement? Disappointment? Depression? Disease? Irritable-heart 

syndrome? 

Acceptance is the key.

This morning, the mirror on my chest clearly reminded me. "In my Face!"

Then, Scotty Smith's words for today re-emphasized the truth God already had  for me.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Two “I Am’s” + Three “I Will’s” = Deep Peace

HELP NEEDED!

I need help. Don't we all!!

Dear friend, Doris, sent this pic to me to remind me of the One who is my help!

Immediately "a very present help in trouble, " came to mind. 

A picture with the answer to all my woes and fears......JESUS!

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. 

Past. Present. Future.

He is all the help I need!

SMILES! SMILES!! SMILES!!! SMILES!!!!

2 sisters on the way to school---first year in middle school and first year in pre-school. 

1 note

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” -Isaiah 41:13  NIV

1 pic with a verse 

From a friend who doesn't even know I am having a big test today!

2+1+1=4

4 big reasons to smile!

SEEKING

Are you seeking? Busy day ahead? What should one seek first? 

The answer for me was found in the prayer room at church when I was there all alone.

Big! Bold! In plain sight!!

Does that answer your question? It did mine!

FILLED WITH INERTIA!

Inertia is one of the few science principles I recall from the classroom. 

Early on, Captain Wood taught me that inertia is the property of matter at rest to remain at rest until acted on by an outside force. (my definition from memory) 

These past days, the onset of my COVID has shown me that sometimes we need more than an outward force to get us moving. 

Not feeling of shame from others, who can pull up by their bootstraps. Not my own self-will. Not even words & suggestions from friends. (though  much appreciated) Nothing outward has seemed to work.

So....I have remained at rest. More like zonked. 

For me, my physical lagging, lack of zeal (Romans 12:11) has required an inside action. 

It has been a result of being "alive with Christ." Through His strength and the prayers of many in the household of faith.

I have at least had hope that soon things would change, not by my strength or who I am, but because of His strength and who He is! 

But God......in His love and mercy made me "alive with Christ." (Ephesians 4:4)

Originally this entry was written May 15. Hmmm,,,,,,obviously inertia kept me from clicking on 

WEARY WORDS

Lord, I'm so weary and yet you blessed me with an incredible week with family! ALL 17 of us!

Then....I opened, seeing beautiful again. There it was. God's word! 

The very words I needed for my day!

He gives strength to the weary 

and 

increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)*

Strengthen me by the power of your might today, O Lord that I might walk worth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.....regardless of my physical and emotional fatigue!

*Font used was "Dancing Script" to remind me to start dancing again----right after my nap!

CHOICES

Choose, Dotsy! It's your choice!

My "just in case" plans..........God's Plan A.

Pull up by my bootstraps mentality........God's strength.

Walk in my own way.............Walk worthy of the gospel message.

What does it look like when I make poor choices and depend on self rather than God? The visual answer is below.

I either run out of steam temporarily.....or I burn out completely.

Brother Buddy reminded me that I was embracing a little too much of "Mildred's" busyness/do it all for everyone persona. I tried to explain that I was being "other-oriented." He reminded me as I choose to be  God oriented, He will help me say no when necessary. 

The Lord will direct me to be "others-oriented" on His guided path. (Proverbs 3:5-6, a Bro Buddy fave) 

Where He guides, He provides---with time and strength. I think I just heard an "AMEN" from my brother!

Camping out in the Psalms 9/2020