HOPE -FILLED LIFE!

Hope---as an acronym or acrostic?? Does the linguistics matter?

Regardless of the etymology for hope; hope involves wait.

Think a positive expectancy even in difficult situations. Optimistic!

Note "holding" as verb (Present Participle/Gerund) indicates an on-going action. That's what hope is......on-going!

As I often say.......Enough said!

PLAN G!

What is PLAN G? 

THE answer---according to MUFHH marginalia....

PLAN G = GOD'S PLAN WITH GOD'S GUIDANCE!

I'm going with God's Plan G today!* 

Won't you join me!?

*Tomorrow 2/17/2026, "my" Plan G is Hubby's reverse shoulder replacement surgery and all prayers are appreciated for God's glory and Hubby's good throughout the lengthy process for recovery!

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! 

HOPE SPEAKS

Hope speaks in many languages.....but Morse Code was a first for me!

A gold necklace with hope in Morse code.

A gift of HOPE from Susan and Aubry......a reminder to be worn to help me "Rejoice in Hope." (Romans 12:12a)

H

O

P

E

.... ---  .--.  .

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)

Lord use this beautiful "gift of hope" as a "A lead-in to gospel conversations." 

JOURNEY OF LIFE!

FRIDAY. MAY 10, 2024---momentous day for our oldest grand & soon to come, a kindergarten “participation” diploma for our youngest grandson!

Whether shaking hands and whooping or smiling in delight, may both choose joy in the next steps of their journey as both continue in academics!

LEANING!

When my mind goes 1,000 directions at once, I know to lean into the Lord.

I have options.....Plan A., Plan B., Plan C., etc. Just in case.

God has only 1 plan. His! 

He knows the plan He has uniquely for each of us. 

His plans give a future and a hope!(Jeremiah 29:11)

This meditation Monday, "Lean in,  listen to the LORD of Hope." 

Follow His plan for your life today!

NEW YEAR'S DAY 2024!

May today, January 1, 2024 be a blessed beginning to 2024!

As the City of Hope declares this 1st day of 2024, "A lovely day for hope." 

For me, that includes spiritual as well as physical, undergirded by Romans 15:13.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

RACE TO EMBRACE

These days we all seem to be racing somewhere. 

Racing to and fro and getting nowhere.........Too often describes my race (unless exhaustion is a place).

Obviously my goal/destination needs to change. Does yours? 

We all need to race to Him. 

• Early in the morning as we first open our eyes. 
• In the middle of the day as we face struggles and disappointments. 
• As we close our eyes to sleep. 
• Even as we take our last breath.

He's waiting there , wherever we are----ready to embrace us. 

Race to the "new" realities he has for believers. A better reality.

"Withness." With Him. Regardless----as we run the race set before us by Him! 

A race marked out uniquely for each of us by the One who is always there to embrace us. (Hebrews 12:1)

WIRED!

How are you wired? Are you wired for God's purpose specifically "Younique" to you? How will you know?

God's Word reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.....that He knows the plans He has for us and He will guide our steps. That's how He designed us for the purpose He has called  us to as His children. 

Call unto Him and he will answer and show you the great & mighty ways He has wired you!

HOPE #1

Hope is in the One who is our hope. Eternal hope given at the cross. 

Hope in the LORD and keep His way. (Psalm 37:34, NIV)

Daily hope, of the more earthly reality, has lagged in recent days as Covid possibilities became dead ends, even though we met TN latest age requirements. 

But God.....it happened today.

"Shot in the arm hope" #1 given today.

"Shot in the arm hope" #2 scheduled for us--- right then and there --a real biggie!

CHOOSE: CLOSURE

Closure---a sense of resolution or conclusion of an artistic work. Certainly, that's a stretch thinking my blog is an artistic work but I did want closure to these 2017 "Choose" entries.

But God..........had a an interruption in mind. So, plans of celebration were cancelled and my happy New Year "ears" remain in the "ready" position, tho not to be used this year.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me that God has a plan. And the last few days we have altered our plans as the Lord has directed our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) His choice for the way we would close out 2017.

CHOOSE: TO DANCE TO MY LIFE'S SONG

How does one know her life's song?

For me, I had to look for God's hand and listen to His soft whispers---those are the visual lyrics & melody of His unique song for my life. 

God has written each one's story, one's own life's song. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Wubbels, Lance, Dance While You Can.2006

One just needs to "tune" her heart to hear.

Lean in a little closer and choose to allow Him to lead you to "dance" with Him to the music He has chosen for your life's song.

CHOOSE: SHARING GOD'S TRUTH

One is never to old to share truth from God's Word. I know because I have watched Miss Jean do it for the last 2 years and she is 20 years older than I. But.....what an inspiration she is to so many of us!

How special it is to share truth with young people through God's word, skits, sign language, crafts, games, music, art, science and puppets........

.....and even trading cards!

• God made you. (Psalm 139:14)
• God is for you. (Romans 8:31)
• God is always with you. (Joshua 1:9)
• God will always love you. (Psalm 89:2)
• God made you for a reason. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Choosing to share God's truth was important, meaningful and altogether FUN.

CHOOSE: TRUTH WITH HOPE

Whether an adult reads it on their smart phone Bible app, or in the pew Bible or a teacher reads it to a first grader in the glowing artistic lighting of hallways at VBS, it's comforting for everyone to know we can hope in God who made us for a purpose.

.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Hope is always a positive choice.

A "SWEET" RX

Maybe "sweets" aren't the answer to everything....

...but sometimes "sweets" numb the pain until God's answer becomes crystal clear. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Just watch out for the side effects---sugar addiction and weight gain, NOT such a sweet RX.

Life's Puzzles

I can't even do a 48 piece puzzle without help from a 4 yr. old. My defense is....it was double sided so I never quite had a clear picture.

Today my journal work on "pleasing God" included an anagram search on the word, "please." One that caught my attention was palese---which is Italian for obvious or clear.

Certainly many life lessons are not always clear to me, especially as I age. Most of the time they only become obvious when I'm looking in my rear view----then I see that God's hand was in it all along. It's that double sided-view that confuses me.

I've always heard that God's view is from the top-side of the tapestry of our life. We just see all the strings and undone pieces as we view it from the underside.

It should be "clearly obvious" to me by now----when I please God, my life lessons whether they look-like or feel-like blessings....or if they are just plain painful---all of those puzzles, even the unsolved ones, are for my benefit. 

Intentionali-TEA

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.' 

(Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Last night after H2H Bible Study, several of us discussed the importance of "intentionality" as a part of our spiritual growth. Intentional seeking of Him---which involves spending regular time with Him. For me, it's my "Tea with Thee" time. By whatever name it is labeled, such a quiet or devotional time helps one intentionally focus on knowing Him and His agenda for one's day. Offering "my" plans or schedule to Him for His direction or altering as needed. (Proverbs 16:9) He knows the plans He has for us, thus we can trust His interruptions.

Fast forward to this morning....I had a packed agenda. Meditation reminded me that if I was going to be accountable to my spiritual sisters, I needed to slow down and refocus. Intentional slowing coupled with prayer. Walking my talk.

Intentional about seeking Him first, not just spur of the moment. (Matthew 6:33) Intentional = God's way. Driven =  my way, too often. But....not today!

My timetable was altered several times. God's interruptions allowed me to laugh & "catch up" on the CANDY aisle, with dear friend Margie. Adding fun to my day and 1/2 price chocolate to my basket. 

Several schedule shifts, coupled with that delightful aside, altered my intended hair washing before meeting Katherine, another dear friend now living in Atlanta. But God....reminded me of Katherine's gift of dry shampoo she provided for all the ladies on our church's Mexico mission trip 6 years ago. I don't have that shampoo but I had something similar. 

So....I didn't have shiny clean tresses for our lunch---think the old "mini-poo" look---BUT I knew Katherine would not care. She cared about our time together---and so did her sister Kristi. River Oaks' "Chef's TV Dinner" was a sumptuous treat...unlike any TV dinner I've ever had. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere! 

A delightful time was had by all, especially me!

A cuppa intentionali-TEA blended with accountabili-TEA---a necessary priori-TEA for spiritual growth. Also...a whole lot more fun than my original schedule! Go God!

"Directionali-TEA"

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; (Psalm 37:23, ESV)

Have you ever struggled with finding direction for your life? Which way to go? Where to turn for help? Even when one knows the "direction to heaven," (John 3:16) she can still need direction for the daily grind. God's Word certainly offers needed direction.

So.....why is it so hard to "let go and let God?" Excessive over-planning can wear one out. So....why continue in that "insanity?"

I've decided to stop asking those questions in my mind and start reading:

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 30:21, And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

The Lord delights in the one who chooses to follow Him, as Psalm 37:23 reminds us. I like the comfort offered by that verse but I also hang my "faith hat" on the verse that follows, especially when I make poor choices or go off on my own path.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (Psalm 37:24, NASB)

Regardless.....when one's life rests in the hands of the Lord, all directions lead to Him!

Directionali-TEA---to be sipped in that blessed assurance.

A Feast of Encouragement

7/23/12  Just as I’m considering Psalm 34: 8 for meditation this week, Judy D., the Texans “Ya Ya” shared Sarah Young’s “40 Days  with Jesus, Celebrating His Presence", with me. Her marker for day 23 gave Jeremiah 29:11 as a promise that offered a “feast of encouragement.” It spoke of Christ’s eternal encouragement for believers........

........Which brought me right back to the verse I had been considering. We, who have a voracious appetite for fixing our future, trust our own plans----hedging our bets economically and in aging----all to pad our future security. We too often take refuge in ourselves---trusting in our own abilities.

But as Psalm 34:8 reminded me, my security (and feasting) is in Him, the One in whom I seek refuge moment by moment. Young continually teaches the importance of being in His Presence----in the present moment. She sees that “tasting” as a feast of the richest fare and encourages all to come to His table of delights, bringing  a fork of trust and a spoon of thankfulness. (Young, p.24) To me that sounds like “tasting and seeing that the Lord is good.” 

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. 

What encouragement---to be blessed for taking refuge in Him.

Meditation Morphing

10/11/10 Somehow when one realizes that she has more earthly years behind her than ahead of her, whole new perspectives are gleaned from scripture. The end is not scary when one knows her eternal destiny but the way one might enter that heavenly realm might give pause for thought. “Gentle entry” has a nice ring to it. Yet, I have been at the point where I was so present with the Lord and so filled with His grace, that no fears were present.

With all of that in mind, whatever your spiritual age or chronological age, think on this verse.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)