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!

Signposts

Signposts. Sometimes they are hard to see, aren't they?
God's word offers so many signals, signs, and guidance for life. Yet, sometimes in a hard place, I'm not quite sure of God's will on that particular situation.

I would like signs as clearly posted as the ones offering directions for this week's VBS kids at First Evan. Wouldn't you?
Maybe the answer was reflected in the entrance sign.
Enter here.

Entering into His Presence is the "signpost" for the best place to start---His Presence is base camp for the Christian who seeks to gain strength and power to move on up in his/her spiritual life.

"finali-TEA" of current "directionali-TEA"

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

Mrs. Rand McNally, here.....is ready to hang up her maps. No longer can I be the "directionally" sound one in mapping out our routes. This past weekend in Austin, TX proved that. I was even somewhat directionally dis-oriented in our hotel, no less. 

Recently I taught on "being confident" (Psalm 27:3) & blogged on "relying on God," (Isaiah 40: 10) but I've begun to realize that a new season of life is now beginning. A "direction" change, coupled with understanding of  God's wisdom in this season needs to be employed.
Things aren't quite what they once were. I can still make plans and God will still direct them (Psalm 37:23)....but the plans might be fewer. I can also allow younger ones to lead the way. Following son's BIG Suburban on those confusing multi-level cloverleafs, access roads and exits allowed me to enjoy the ride and not be stressed. Possibilites of getting lost, seem not so overwhelming when I don't feel responsible.

Change, especially from aging, is sometimes hard to swallow, but God...can offer new directionality and it will be okay!
Final proof of finali-TEA of current directionali-TEA---I just spilled my morning cuppa all over my map.

"Flexibili-TEA"

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 
(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

NOTHING ----went as planned. Make that, as I planned. 

Schedules didn’t pan out to meet sweet Katya from Ukraine. Mixed signals had a lunch date postponed. Dinner downtime was a wash out. Traffic jam---of course.  One can’t leave east Memphis after 5pm and expect to arrive downtown for a pre-show dinner, when the event starts at 7pm. Green Beetle didn’t even have coconut cake available AND oreo was certainly not a choice I would consider.

Needed: A BIG cuppa flexibili-TEA. 

I, too easily, can get bent out of shape, almost to the point of breaking, when “my” goals and plans are blocked.

But God......The evening ended in “Singing His Praises” at the Orpheum with my African -American brothers and sisters, who can really “belt out” the gospel through their “spirituals!”

How sweet a cuppa  of flexibilTEA, served with song of LOUDEST praise!

Saturday Snippet # 6: Life Questions

11/23/13 Questions to provoke thinking....

Where does one get strength to continue on in life?

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit strengthens our inner man, enlightens the eyes of our heart and, makes our body healthy. The Lord delights in flooding every nerve, capillary, and cell of our body with His might. (Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man, Vol. III part 10, Chapter 3)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
 Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:8)

Seeing the way.....

4/14/12 Have you ever had something right in front of you and yet you still don’t see it? Until a recent PBS interview with Memphian Fred Smith, CEO of FedEx, I never knew there was an arrow on “his” trucks. So iconic and yet I missed it!

In my spiritual life I wonder if my vision is also veiled to God’s directions that are right before me. Psalm 16:11 says that the Lord has made known to me the path of life and that’s truly the only one I need to follow. Jesus Calling (4/12 & 4/14) encouraged staying/walking (dancing for me) with the Lord at every fork in the road.

I know that the entrance to heaven is at the end of my life path. I just don’t want to miss any of the hints of heaven or any directions that the Lord has for me along the way. But…..I’m still afraid I’m missing some of the subtle turns or directions on my daily walk. I guess I’ll just have to keep my eyes wide open and keep trusting His leading as I search for clues.

I can see clearly now----at least on the FedEX truck. In fact, it seems to jump out at me. God is working on the rest.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it. (Isaiah 30:21)

Lighthouse Learnings

8/24/11 Lots of info from the lighthouses we saw on our trip gave insight to their importance in days of old when navigational instruments were the the sky at night and the sun by day.

The captain was always looking up for heavenly light, especially when no earthly ones were available.
Streams in the Desert alluded to that in yesterday's entry. (8/23) But, it was the verse that caught my attention.

By faith, Abraham...obeyed and went even when he did not know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)

As I have been prayerfully trying to plot my "retirement course, I realize that I don't have a clue where I am going. I do sense "service" tugging at my heart but so far, I have no heavenly indication. Like the early captains I will just have to keep "looking up" as I sail along, try to avoid rocks and disasters along the way and continue to seek guidance from God's Son.

MOUNTAIN MORNING MEDITATION

8/8/11 Location highly recommended for meditative moments: deck of a mountain hideaway, overlooking trees and streams with humming birds buzzing nearby along with a cuppa Red Rose tea, served with a cool morning breeze.

I rise before the dawn of the morning and cry for help. I hope in your word. (Psalm 119:147)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

CARTOGRAPHERS OF THE OLD FASHION VARIETY

7/12/10………okay, I’m not a map maker but I am a map lover. Hubby Larry thinks my affinity for maps is a little over the top. I love maps and atlases. They offer so many possibilities. Even at our Christmas “bag game” parties, if there’s an updated atlas in the mix, I’m right in there, (usually with the men) jockeying for that ultimate prize.

During past travels in the English countryside, the first place I would go would be the TI. (Tourist Information Center) A wealth of brochures with area maps---right up my alley. US roadside Welcome Centers are a must for me when traveling stateside. Texas has BIG ones. Mississippi has hospitable ones----they serve coke with a smile and a syrupy Southern accent. This summer the Tennessee facility had, along with clean restrooms, a 2010 map!! Yea---first “new” map in two years that I’ve found. Plus, TN must realize that “Baby Boomers” are the only folks using maps anymore because the 2010 publication is like a "large print" edition.

This past weekend, Michèle found us using her recent eBay purchase of a Garmin. It just stuck on her windshield. She said it talked her through the trip down from Canada. Larry told her he had his own GPS and he stuck “her” in the front seat (shotgun position) right beside him---usually with an open atlas, road map or MapQuest sheet in her lap. His GPS also “talked” the entire trip. (Not true----said GPS also naps, once on a familiar course.)

Hubby also asked Michèle if her Garmin called her stupid if she got off-course. Stupid is the “S” word at our house & not allowed. She said the GPS word for “stupid” was “recalculating.”
Recalculating (or Plan B) is always necessary for this GPS woman---it allows for new paths, byways and, as yet, undiscovered back roads. With a “local’s” suggestion, rather that a detailed topographical map, we found a great scenic road when coming home from Doris and Tom’s Full Circle Ranch in Lewisburg, TN---a road less traveled by others and one never traveled before by us. One just needs to be open to possibilities----

It’s Monday and we have several options/possibilities for meditating on God’s word. Choose the one that fits the road you are on today. Allow Him to be your GPS.

• This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17)

• The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

• The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

With the Lord there are infinite possibilities.