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)

GOD'S WORD FRONT AND CENTER!

Today I was asked to "be prepared" to share my favorite Bible verse along with other members of our "Prayer for Revival" group. For me, that's a tough assignment! I esteem, treasure, hold close to my heart and love every word of Scripture.

But God soon had Jeremiah 15:16 begin to flood my mind, .....

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. (ESV)

.......I decided to meditate on it in many scripture versions.

Marginalia results: What a feast!!!

"THY" words found, I ate them, I devoured them, they became a delight; happiness of my heart, gave me joy; jubilation, rejoicing in my heart; with gladness in my heart.

I listened tp every word: swallowed them whole, & they sustained me.

I am called by your name;Yahweh Adonai-Tzva’ot, you had me bear your name., Yahweh Elohim Tsebaoth, O God, God-of-the-Angel-Lord, God of Heavenly Armies!, Lord God All-Powerful, Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; Commander  of hosts, O Yahweh God of hosts, O Jehovah, God of Hosts.

Lord God who rules over all. I belong to you. (NRV)

REJOICING IN GOD'S WORD!

God's word blesses my heart! Whether with words of praise/mercy or correction/conviction with severe mercy, I devoured, drank in, swallowed whole as a feast for my hungry soul from Yahweh Elohim TseBaooth. 

Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by your name, O Lord God of Hosts. (Jeremiah15:16, NASB1995)

A "fave verse." It jumped off the page of my devotional book, Experiencing God.

Dubbed Morbid Mom, by my kids, this is a head's up to make sure this verse is on the cover of my funeral bulletin. A legacy for my kids and grands.

GOSPEL LENS!

Physically, I seem to be getting weaker. Thus, service to others seems more difficult at times. Even my practice of prayer has too easily become self-centered, i.e. "Help, I need strength." 

Pastor Emeritus, Scotty Smith, reminds us to daily  "Pray the Scriptures."

Nothing has been of greater importance to my growth in grace than learning to pray the Scriptures while wearing the lens of the gospel. 

As Martin Luther said, we need the gospel every day because we forget the gospel every day.

Is heartfelt-engagement possible with a tired body? Even my eyes aren't what they once word after new glasses. I need clarity along with strength.

I need to begin each day with an open Bible read through gospel-lens. (James 5:16c)

FITNESS ESSENTIALS!

Fitness usually brings to mind the physical aspect. 

Requirements.....Discipline. Diet. Action.

Spiritual Fitness is much the same---requiring a daily (discipline) diet of feeding on God's word and putting into action what one has learned. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Spiritual Fitness....an essential to pass on to the next generation!

N.O.T.E.

N.O.T.E. An acrostic follow-up as I pay attention and consider His ways.

Studying God's Word is more than a "plop and drop" experience. Although at times I have done that as well. God can always meet me right where I am. 

When really studying God's word and searching and finding a  scripture for further understanding.....I read, mark, sometimes highlight, chew on it and inwardly digest it (Jeremiah 15:16) 

I need to read through a scripture for context. Prayer follows and continues. I notice words or phrases jumping out. I observe around me ways God is leading me; I talk to the Lord. I embrace and respond accordingly. 

Notice

Observe

Talk

Embrace glory (Joyce Ann Evans) as we respond to what God has taught us

To God be the glory as I take n.o.t.e. and live it out.

FLOURISHING AND FADING

Flowers have many meanings in scripture. They show us God's care and comfort.

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”  Luke 12:27-28)

Phlox blooms are worth waiting for in the heat of summer.

God's creatures (zebra swallowtail) are nourished by the floral gooseneck.

Evening primrose blossoms as we watch. Ah the joy of that moment each night. Then it fades away & we see it anew the next night.

Phantom hydrangeas in white purity.

Lamb's Ear in side bed reminds us to, "Behold the Lamb of God." (John !:36)

Solomon's Seal and Lenten Roses faded after the spring season. Tthe praying hands hostas died during the Feb. ice storm, the Curly Fries are awaiting transplanting as the summer heat" is roasting them....but the Cross still stands! 

"It (Rose of Sharon) shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon."(Song of Songs 2:1)

We grow inside and out and bloom with God's care. "God is like dew to His people helping them blossom like flowers, keeping them firmly rooted and fragrant..." (Hosea 14:5-6)

Flowers are given as gifts of love---from the Father above and earthly friends.

Flowers  emphasize the fragility of life.

The grass withers, the flowers fades but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)

Enjoy every God given moment filled with His creations. (Jeremiah 15:16)

WORD PLAY!

Word Play or Play on Words.

Wordsmiths love words. That's a given. Many are also given to playing with words. 

Bananagrams. Boggle. Crosswords, Scrabble. Whirly Word. Words with Friends. (Alphabetized for your convenience)

And oh yea, these days...WORDLE.

Pandemic/ COVID words could qualify for their own dictionary---social-distancing, super spreader and mask-up stand out to me.

Words I saw or heard this past week---Blursday. Flightmare. Staycation.  Stagflation, a period of sluggish economic growth with high inflation....need I say more.

Words so new that auto correct puts a line of red dots under them.

What about the latest craze..........cultural creations. These words come and go based on the "Hot Mess" circumstances in the world.

Trending Now? Too many to recount and most misunderstood by me. Sentient, however is a word used by a google tech man that caused him to lose his job. AI, artificial intelligence, is able to feel, hear, see, smell or taste.

Only God's Word allows me to perceive (sentient) truth as I, by His Spirit, can "taste and see" that the Lord is good: blessed is the man  who trusts in Him. (Psalm 34:8) 

Allow God's Words to play in your mind by the guidance of the Holy Spirit---they will become the joy and delight of your heart. (Jeremiah 15:16)

WONDERFUL WORDS!

What a germane topic for "Wordsmith Wednesday"---Wonderful Words!

There's nothing quite like waking up to just the words one needs to hear!

So grateful to friend, Doris, who shares insights from a wordsmith friend of hers. Scottie. His sporadic  devotionals always seem spot on! This one builds with comparatives and turns us to Jesus, our portion, our peace, and our passion. 

We women know---if we compare, we despair. 

What a peaceful way to begin our day. So-o-o-o calming. 

Who doesn't need "calming" words these days! 

Before I could even finish this blog entry, a text from my dear Ukrainian friends shared that they are hearing bombing in their city today for the first time. They who have been feeding and sheltering hundreds of people daily since this horrific war began, as well as risking their own lives to transport the most vulnerable out of the war torn east to the borders, are now under attack. 

Help them, Lord. Be their strength, portion, peace and the lifter up of their heads

May all who read this lift prayers of comfort and safety on their behalf.

CORE STRENGTHENING!

Heading out the door for Cardio Fit class. Core Strengthening so needed. 

Earlier this week after that class, I went to mail a letter and lost strength as I stumbled on the curb at the post office. "Falls"---- the "bane of all seniors," according to medical warnings.

As I've recovered with my swollen ankle and my raw skinned knee, hands and elbow, I've recognized the need for increased strengthening in my spiritual core more than on my skinned flesh. The physical "stop" led to a more "fit" spiritual pursuit.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

That's what happened. Disabled physically for a bit led to feeding on his word and allowing it to strengthen my spiritual core.

Spiritual fitness, fitness that strengthens your core, comes from feeding on God's word and exercising the truth gleaned from a biblical diet!

"GOSPEL-ICIOUS" --WORD PLAY AT ITS BEST

3 yr. old grandson Jack has a language of his own. We call it "Jackanese." When he's out-grown it, we'll probably still remember it. A current word---Chok-it 'uhlicious! No verb needed!

For me, God's word is 'uhlicious!

"Thy Words were found and I ate them and they became for me the joy and delight of my heart! "(Jeremiah 15:16)

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)

His words are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.....(Proverbs 16:24) when we consume them. 

In one word delicious!

What part of speech is delicious?

noun

adjective

adverb

All of the aove.

A descriptive adjective. Deliciously as an adverb. Deliciousness---a noun that says it all.

What about gospelicious?

 For God so love the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 gives meaning to that one word!

GOSPELICIOUS! (Cole Huffman, according to my marginalia)

THREE R's for a NEW YEAR!

REFOCUS! REFUEL!! REFRESH!!!

1. Refocus your mind.
2. Refuel your heart.
3. Refresh others.

Do all three. Use scripture to chart your course!

1. Set your mind. Reset as needed to clear your mind of earthly matters. (Colossians 3:2)
2. Open God's Word and chew on it 'til your heart can delightfully digest it. (Jeremiah 15:16)
3. Refresh others. You'll also be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Refocusing. refueling and refreshing = Renewal of one's Spirit.
Renewal results in transformation. (Romans 12:2)

Being transformed by a renewal of the mind, refuels one's soul and enables one to refresh others.

What an honor for any gal to incorporate the 3 Rs in her new year and be recognized as a Philemon saint...."The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you...." (Philemon 1:2)

SOUL FOOD ---FOR 2

There is soul food and then there is soul food. Some is even served with a kiss on the head. 

Going to check out a new place as it is Memphis Black Restaurant Week. I just hope they have butter rolls as good as Peggy's and Madea's.

Regardless of the restaurant, if I go with friend, Nora, the conversations enhance the meal. We have a background to share. We have fellowship because of our Savior and we can "taste and see" the goodness of the Lord while we nosh on neckbones, pigs feet, turkey necks or smothered pork chops and turnip greens. Soul food for two---though I admit just tasting, right off Nora's plate, some of the less familiar ones.

CHOOSE: TO TASTE AND SEE

Finding God references in unusual places always delights me. 

I found Psalm 118:24 in an Aldi egg carton several years ago. The verse was written out and though I'd used the product for years, I never "saw the truth" until I so needed that encouragement on 4/12/12.

This morning as I was once again icing cupcakes to take to a friend I noticed Acts 4:12 on the "tub" of Caramel Factory caramel. It was if I was truly noticing it for the first time, though http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2017/01/choose-good-news.html showed me otherwise----a regular occurrence in the minds of folks in their 7th decade. It allows us to be happy all over again, at least that's what my friend, JoLynn tells me.

I love caramel and their icing is better than Mrs. O used to make for me in her black iron skillet. The factory is in Batesville, MS, home of our good friends, the Ferrell's, so we have ready access even though friend, Diane's, Gift Emporium, a Germantown supplier, is now closed.

All that to say, I love it when companies "advertise" their faith.

Though I in no way want to make light of scripture, one of my favorite verses came to mind, "Thy words were found and I ate them and they became for me the joy and delight of my heart." (Jeremiah 15:16)

I love it when a citation can send me to God's word where I can truly choose to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord! "

SaveSave

Choose to Muse

It's "Meditating Monday" so today I "choose to muse "on "joy."  Psalm 119:111 describes joy as residing in one's heart.
What prompts joy in one's heart?

While "musing" through different translations of the same verse, I listed all the translations for statutes.

God's Word----laws----testimonies----decrees----written instructions----prized possession

The psalmist sees the statutes (God's written law (truth and directions from His word) as the source of His joy. I had to ask myself, "What's the source of my joy?"

A fave verse that came to mind was Jeremiah 15:16. 

Hm-m-m eating could be the musing that results in joy and delight in my own heart!

I need to "choose to muse" beyond Mondays, for a continual feast of joy!

Righteous Food

Most of our recent beach vacation food was fish---natch!

But....we had one great non-fish mid-day treat at Preacher's Kitchen in Gulf Place on 30a. It's just 2 doors down from The Perfect Pig (a "praise the lard" type place)---which also has, familiar to the Liles, a Seagrove location---in Flip Flops former location. Both are owned by the same family.

We were drawn to Preacher's Kitchen because of the name. It's a counter service, build your own burger type place but we just got smoothies. Peach pina-colada was dynamo combo---delish.

"Righteous Food" sign above the counter had my mind whirring----"belly up" to the counter and get your fill. Satisfaction guaranteed!

The owner is also a preacher so I'm sure he, too, understood the spiritual implications.

We have access daily to "righteous food." We just need to open God's word and feast.

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; (Jeremiah 15:16)

Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8) 

Truly satisfying righteous food.

"tea-lightful" : a Re-Brew

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16, NASB)

Many things in life bring delight to us. Time with loved ones. A vacation in the mountains or at the beach. A field of yellow daffodils on the first day of spring.

In our family, food often brings delight. Even many vacation stops are planned around unusual restaurants.
Delightful food. Yummy food---which often varies with our age. A waffle bowl of ice cream for the grands. A cuppa for me. Peanut butter and jelly for the grands. Benedictine for me.

One of the bench marks of Christian maturity, is a hunger for God's word. A thirst that only His words can satisfy. Scripture meditation delights my soul.....as does being called by His name--Christian.

What are you eating lately? (ea-TEA-ng, as Corey said)
For me, noshing on God's Word is "tea-lightful."

S'More

7/9/13 S'more--one of the first contractions that children instinctively learn when their marshmallows are toasting over a campfire. S'more means they want some more of that sweetness. 

That sweet food that is made by putting a melted, (or charred) marshmallow & a square of Hershey's chocolate bar between two graham crackers. Some more sweetness. Isn't that what we all want?

As David reminds us to "Taste and see that the Lord is good;" (Psalm 34:8), Jeremiah prayerfully reminds the Lord, "Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;" (Jeremiah 15:16). 

I've found that the more I know Him and his word, the more I want to know Him and His Word better.....so sweet are His words to my life. Addictive. Just like kids with their s'mores. I want some more of Him.

mentali-TEA Meditation

6/17/13 Preparing to teach on the importance of spiritual mentali-TEA, I hope to encourage folks to seek God through His word, that they might know Him better. (Ephesians 1:17-18)

I want them to "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:2) and be ready for the "meat" that comes from meditating on God's Word.

Thanks to neighbor, Jane who shared her beautiful hydrangeas with me.

"Pitcher" perfect for aiding my meditation on desiring God's Word/ 

May all discover the joy and delight of Jeremiah 15:16,

Your words were found and I ate them,
And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.

Think (mentali-TEA & beyond) on that verse until you can truly "taste and see" that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

Questions and Answers: Fear & Insecurity

2/7/13 Friends and blog readers, concerned about our home break-in/burglary have inquired, "How are you doing?' One that I loved was, "Are you back to sharpening pencils? 

Yes, is the answer. I returned to pencil sharpening.
Hubby provided me with a "handy-dandy" hand held pencil sharpener to use on the go. No electricity needed. Though I do LOVE my oft-used electric one (I'm surprised it still works), it's not always convenient.

During this go-round of battling anxiety, I even included tidying up my tea cabinet---a helpful mindless activity. Like alphabetizing Claudia's pasta. 

Funny how one wants to "do" or "fix" something when life situations are so "disturbing" and totally out of one's control. Mind-numbing activities like pencil sharpening and tea tidying can work for me.....when I am "haunted by apprehension"....until God gets me back in His grip. Why do I ever pull away?

As Oswald Chambers states (My Utmost for His Highest, 11/13) "fear comes from not nourishing ourselves in our faith."

So...after days of anxious thoughts and nights of not night sleeping well:

• Faith nourishing began.....I'm grateful for time at His feet to read and reflect on His Word. (Jeremiah 15:16)
• I'm grateful also to remember that God is not sleeping so I can rest well. (Psalm 121:3)

Thanks for asking.

Dalton Ghetti has taken pencil sharpening to a new level.