DISCONNECTED

4/6/11 Three days with no “land line” for a girl who grew up with a rotary dial on a party line is usually no big deal. However, the fact that callers are given the false impression that they can leave a message has been problematic. RX pick up info, an appointment reminder from a doctor with a question and family updates all fell into a digital black hole. There was also no internet service or TV after the “wind storm” hit. Again, not necessarily a bad thing.

Being with out electricity most of Monday kept me by a window with a flashlight when needed for small print and a chance to review Isaiah before BSF, specifically Isaiah 55. Verses 1-3 had me considering the various ways many of us seek satisfaction. “For what kinds of satisfaction are you investing your time, energy and money?” Listen up and turn to the One who offers delight in the richest of fare was the answer given in verse 3.

Yet, it was the two verses near the end of the chapter that spoke to my heart---maybe because I’ve been dealing with the “thorns” growing in said heart.

Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; ……..13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

Lesson questions asked, “How is God identifying “thorny” parts of your personality and insisting that He dig them out and replace them with the evergreen and fragrant plantings of His Spirit?” (BSF, Isaiah --Lesson 26) What encouragement from His word that the “thornbush” can be replaced by a very aromatic evergreen and the “briers” by the myrtle. Such change gives me hope.

Disconnected----not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe I need to be cut off from the “world” more often.

French Toast "Run"

2/4/11 Snow’s a-comin’ !!! Everytime snow is in the forecast, I, like many of you, have made a French toast “run.” (bread, milk and eggs) I have literally “run into” lots of folks doing the same thing. It’s like a battleground at Kroger for that last gallon of lactose free milk or a race as people jockey in line at the self-check out. It reminds me of the stories Larry would tell of his mom dragging him to the Clover Day sales at the old Goldsmith’s downtown at Main & Gayso. (Anyone have any idea why they were called “cloverday” sales?) He said that inevitably she would drag him to this big bin of lingerie where women would push, shove and grab for the seemingly last bra available.

Why are we like that? Pushing, shoving, grabbing, & running---unaware or worse, uncaring, of others around us. Why the panic? It’s not like we don’t have a grocery store or Walgreen’s on every corner or new sales and coupons at Macey’s every week. Is it indicative of our greed or is it a trust issue. Are we really going to starve if we miss a meal?

It’s not about us as Rick Warren reminds us in Purpose Driven Life. So why do we continue to act like it is---not just obnoxiously but even subtly? It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about the Lord and His purposes. His purposes for us. His purposes for others, through us, as we share and supply His love. (Philippians 4:10-14)

It’s about Him who daily supplies all our needs ---the One who provides a lot more than “French toast.” “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost……” (Isaiah 55:1-3)

2/5/11 No snow came, but this morning I used those "supplies" for making some good French toast!

A Veritable Feast

9/20/10 The passage for "Meditation Monday" is Isaiah 55:1-3. Choose the version that fits your taste.

. (New International Version) Invitation to the Thirsty

1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread, 


and your labor on what does not satisfy? 


Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 


and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me; 
hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, 
my faithful love promised to David

(The Message) Buy Without Money

1-5 "Hey there! All who are thirsty,

come to the water!

Are you penniless?

Come anyway—buy and eat!

Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk.

Buy without money—everything's free!

Why do you spend your money on junk food,

your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?

Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best,

fill yourself with only the finest.

Pay attention, come close now,

listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.

I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you,

the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.

I set him up as a witness to the nations,

made him a prince and leader of the nations,

And now I'm doing it to you:

You'll summon nations you've never heard of,

and nations who've never heard of you

will come running to you

Because of me, your God,

because The Holy of Israel has honored you."

(English Standard Version) The Compassion of the LORD

1"Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

3Incline your ear, and come to me;

hear, that your soul may live;

and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,

my steadfast, sure love for David.

(King James Version) My Grandmother’s Choice

1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Let me know which version feeds your soul the best.

Real Meal Deal

5/26/09 (Isaiah 55:1-3) What’s a “real meal deal to you?” Some might say, “…anything as long as I don’t have to cook it.” Or in a similar vein, “…if someone else is picking up the tab.” We all approach eating differently, not only in our food choices but also in our styles. Some are grazers so a buffet appeals to them. Others start by checking out the desserts first and order the rest of their caloric intake accordingly. Some folks even prefer meals because of the time of day they are normally served. How about eating styles---are you a little bite here and there as you savor each morsel and intersperse your dining with conversation? Or are you one who just eats all that’s in front of you as quickly as possible---maybe with a little “Wheel of Fortune” or “Nightly News” thrown in. Leftovers anyone? Some folks love them. Some won’t touch them. Those who enjoy them appreciate the rich flavors that seem to meld over time---just not so much time that they change color. Is your entrée always meat? Does a drink enhance your meal or detract from it. Does “saving the best for last” apply to you as you order dessert? Do you leave the table full and happy and go plop in a chair or do you choose to walk off a little of the meal? How about when you “taste” God’s Word? We all approach His Presence differently---but it’s through His word that we are able to “taste and see that God is good.” (Psalm 34:8) Living in a sin-saturated world as we do, it can be very difficult to find good, especially in the midst of deep pain and betrayal or difficult circumstances. Many people even try to bury the pain or emptiness with more food, often compounding the problem. We’re looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places. Like the “happy meals” of our local drive thru, we want something quick, (instant relief) that hits the spot, (meets our desires) doesn’t cost much (of our time, energy or $) and gives us a prize (one we select) in the end. We often use a “happy meal” approach to knowing God. We want Him to quickly meet us where we are, solve our deep gnawing hunger without asking too much of us and give us a prize, this side of heaven. We have unrealistic expectations of life. I heard one gal say, as tragedy struck, “This isn’t the movie I bought the ticket for.” In a way that’s true for all of us the first time “life” really doesn’t meet our expectations. It’s a false theology that teaches that life will always be easy and pleasant. The reality is that pain will come……….but so can joy. Deep joy can come even in hardship and suffering when we are in an abiding relationship with the Lord. We need to quit feeding on these false notions and “feed” on Him. Find your favorite time of day---if you like breakfast food, meet Him then. If you’re a night owl---meet Him for a midnight snack. If you want to graze, write a key verse or passage and take that morsel with you so you can feed on His Word throughout the day. Maybe the next day you could pair the “leftover” verse with a new but similar one to get a rich new taste of truth. If you want to “dine,” add inspirational music or create a cozy spot---maybe a “seat with a view” of His creation. Enjoy! Don’t rush through just to say you’ve noshed. Gorging on large obscure passages can cause pain as well, especially if you’re new at digesting His word. Take a few little bites at first and ask Him to teach you as you savor those truths. Then get up and exercise (put into practice) the truths that He has taught you---the more you use it, the more He will teach you. It will be like an on-going feast where you never get fat in an unhealthy way. Knowing Him takes time and energy but once you’ve tasted the “meat” & had a drink of the “living water,” “His words will become the “joy and the delight of your heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Find them and eat them!