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!

LEFT HANGING!

Ever been in a lurch?! A vulnerable and unsupported position.

Think……….left hanging!    Dangling!!

Even worse......hanging upside down for almost 30 minutes! 

It can happen anytime. Anywhere! (Even peeing and vomiting) It doesn't have to be on a broken 10 story high pendulum ride at Oaks Park amusement park  in Oregon.

Precarious pendulum dubbed AtmosFEAR had commentators' catastrophic remarks loudly calling out, "Oh my God...." and "Jesus Christ."

I prayed for safety of the riders along with hopes that the commentator who used the personal pronoun "my" for God, truly knew Him. Who do people call out to in distressing, uncertain times? We all know the "correct" answer. 

But God.....puts answers in His Word.* During stress, those might come quickly or maybe relegated to one word. "Help."

But God won't leave you hanging!

*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)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - (Joshua 1:9)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble....(Psalm 46:1)

He asks us to take our fears, worries, and anxieties to Him because He cares about us and wants good things for our lives (1 Peter 5:7).

NEARNESS OF GOD!

Five words or less! 

"I will be with you." (Joshua 1:9)

As "Coming to Light Bible Study" calls it---"5 minute Friday."

NEAR.......closeness in proximity.  Accessible in a heart to heart intimate way regardless of virtual distance.

Jordan River Rules book study folks have learned much of nearness of God this month. Even when some are absent, they have been near in Spirit. Kathie G. even shares an Isaiah verse reminder for us.

Give Cheer! God is near!

Don't veer. Stay near!

GOD'S DIRECTIONS!

How does one follow God's will.....for His purpose and His glory!

Directions are needed. Directions are found in His word! Trust is key. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Sometimes I desire specifics. 

Sometimes God clearly leads.....follow the narrow path and turn toward the cross!

Clarity of direction is needed, O Lord!

ACRONYMS ABOUND!

Acronyms abound----on jars of jam, no less.

T.O.E. Jam made me laugh!!

Eventually, I realized the acronyms let a customer know contents of the jams.

I liked my THOTS better.

T rust                  T hrow                               T urn

O nly                   O ut                                  O n

E lohim                E expectations (of others)      E encouragement

Stick your toe in the positive "waters of words" to encourage others!

4 WORDS WITH BIG HOPE!!!!

I AM WITH YOU!

Pastor Jim's sermon in Haggai opened my eyes to the many times those words of the Lord were found in Scripture.

Four words of comfort. Words of hope. Words of encouragement.

 

Later scanning the "Sunday" paper, I had another "God with me" heads up. 

There was a fifth word giving "future" reference verb "will be." 

Often "I am with you" tell us where and when. Another adverb often used is the reassuring "always."

I AM WITH YOU! Four words to lessen fear, give needed strength, replace dismay with assurance and put a smile on my face....especially as I pray these words will comfort my Ukrainian friends! 

** I so appreciate the inclusion of scripture continuing in our Commercial Appeal. 

RESILIENCE

Resilience might seem an odd word choice for a Memorial Day meditation.

God has reminded us in His word that there will be tough times in our lives......

times when we'll need to keep our mindset on Christ. (James 1: 2, 12) 

Times when resilience and steadfastness are needed. 

Oxford On-line Dictionary defines resilience as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties: toughness. It's a word often describing survivors of 9/11 Twin Towers terrorist attack and veterans of wars returning home.

Times when resilient Christians must look past their troubles and keep their mind on Him

Times of war.

Such times are happening in Ukraine even as I type. 

I know because I received an email this morning showing pictures of new devastation in Severondonetsk. Destruction by ongoing artillery from the skies to street battles leaving stench of bodies on the ground. 

But God.....will always be there with us. (Joshua 1:9)

Resilient believers never stop trusting in God. But it helps when other believers come alongside with prayers and resources to help in such battles. A fellowship of people on the same side of the struggle though not physically in the same location.

Resilience shared is resilience at its best. (Dotsy, 5/27/22)

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)

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS!

There are many reasons to celebrate each season especially in the Mid-South. We have a bit of all the seasons without too many extremes, until lately!

But God....in His Word tells us, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

Gof is with us in every season---not just those that are weather related. He is with us in every season of our life birth and death, feast and famine, war and peace. His Word helps us remember He is in control and working out every situation for our own good and His purposes. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Just a snapshot of one of my roadsides---it blesses my heart with my favorite color, favorite flower, esp those yellow tulips! As I drive by, I see them as "gifts from above." (James 1:17)

Springtime, that time of seeding and warmth just weeks after an ice storm and hours after tornado sirens blaring in our state helps us be of good cheer.

Lord may we continue to celebrate every season of life knowing that you are with us always. (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah; 41:10)

TEACHINGS FROM A TUBE.....

No inner tube.....tho it was looking at my most inner places.

No test tube----tho it could be considered one.

No packing tube----tho I felt packed in.

Not just any tube.....

....a closed MRI tube for a 20 - 50 minute journey that lasted 80 minutes and the sojourner was claustrophobic.  

Teachings from the tube are the lessons I learned while inside said tube.

• Solitude can be companionable----if God is in the tube with you. (Isaiah 43:1-7)
• He who is "the lifter up of my head" (Psalm 3:3) can keep it flat and immobile for 80 minutes.
• Fear is not from God....."fear not for I am with you." (Joshua 1:9)
• Valium helps.
• God is in control even in the midst of the JACKHAMMERING, WHIRRING, CLANKING and POP. POP. POPPING sounds.
• When the selected MoTown music cannot be clearly heard in the tube, it helps to call to memory hymns that allow an old church choir tp ring in you head and sing in your soul. 
• When praying alphabetically thru the attributes of God, my "n" section is lacking.
• Prayers of others can "temper" any medical procedure and fill one's heart with hope and joy.

Regardless of the results, God is still good.

FOUR WORD TRUTHS

Simple.

Straight forward.
4 words of truth.

Four words for focus.

1. I live in you. (Galatians 2:20)
2. I give you strength. (Isaiah 40:29 & Psalm 59:16)
3. I am with you. (Joshua 1:9)
4. You are My Beloved. (Song of Solomon 2:16)

Beloved, we are God's. Therefore, we will benefit when we focus on these  4-word truths as we start our Monday with meditation!

WOWS FOR WEDNESDAY!

WOWS = Week of Word Study. So....I had to share it today.

Jesus Always entry for wordsmith Doris' birthday (5/9) really had me considering parts of speech, in particular prepositions.

Prepositions express a relation to another word (usually a noun or pronoun)  For me, the noun/pronoun subject relation was Jesus Christ, by whose blood I am redeemed. 

• With Him, I can be honest. (Proverbs 30:5)
• I can be confident in Him. (2 Corinthians 3:4)
• I can lean on Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• I can connect with Him through prayer anytime, anyplace. (Joshua 1:9)
• I can always trust in Him. (Psalm 9:10, 20:7)

For all of  His blessings, I say WOW! You are my God. (Psalm 31:14)

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: PRAYER IN ANY POSITION

While VBS "campers" in Memphis were learning that "God is always with us," (Joshua 1:9) and acting out positions of sleeping, driving, playing, running everywhere and praying.............

..........congressmen in Virginia at a ball practice chose a pray stance as they prayed for wounded colleagues and Capitol police after a lone gunman shot at the participants early in the day. 

A standing position with heads bowed. 

I know because I saw it on my TV as the news was broadcast. People coming together to pray for others.

In biblical accounts of prayer many positions are noted: "Abraham fell on his face before God;" (Genesis 17:3) "Moses prayed with outstretched arms;" (Exodus 9:29) "King Solomon knelt before the altar with hands outstretched toward heaven;" (1 Kings 8:54) and Jesus prayed looking up to heaven." (John 17:1)

My 6 old attendees know that prayer is "talking to God," and there is not a required position. 

Prayer's the expression of the attitude of one's heart---a heart which is bowed in worship regardless of any certain physical position.

That's why believers can choose to pray any place, anytime and in any position. 

Happy 40th Birthday!

Today is the birthday of our middle child---our younger son, Megan's hubby and Lucy's daddy. Where has time gone??

Prayers offered---straight from scripture. 

Pix to follow---

JOURNEYS

Words to count on during life's hardest journeys. His words!

God Never leaves us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

...for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear;  (Hebrews 13:5-6) 

God Goes before us.

The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, (Deuteronomy 1:30)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

God is our rear guard.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, (Deuteronomy 31:8)

....for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12)

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)

....and the household of faith wears BooBoo's T-shirt and prayerfully walks alongside her. (Galatians 6:10)

Thrust of Trust

This summer has been a time of transition, concerns and difficult decisions for many of my dear ones, both friends and family: Farming friends rushing to get hay in before the rains; Special needs births, both here and in Mexico; A distressing cancer diagnosis for a young mom; Joblessness; A child's poor decision resulting in life altering consequences; Housing needs/renting/ selling/buying; Impending surgeries; School needs for children when money is lacking; Marital disappointment/discord, here and abroad; Ministry decisions; End of life approach for one's sibling. 

Today's Jesus Calling (7/15) once again speaks to me right where I am in my concern as I seek to pray for these difficulties. Sarah Young writes" "Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust,"

Do you, too, need a thrust of trust? If so, here's a trove of my favorite "trust" verses to help you in your thrusting.

• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
• But I trust in your unfailing love; (Psalm 13:5a) 
• Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
• But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."(Psalm 31:14)
• O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (Psalm 84:12)
• Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Keep on thrusting; It increases trusting.

"securi-TEA": a Re-brew

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Having a cuppa T2 provided by our New York guest house "host" gave me a warm, secure start to what was to become a fun day with our Lucy. "All's right with the world".....at least our little corner of it.

But, both a phone call from our daughter and an early morning email from sister-in-law, Susan, questioned our security. It seems that yesterday while we were treating Lucy to strawberry pancakes at Tom's Restaurant in Brooklyn, there were 2 "explosions" in Harlem. Folks 1100 miles away heard of the shock waves before we did.

How fleeting security is. How fleeting life is. (Psalm 39:4)

Security in our culture often refers to at least a "semblance" of protection for us and our assets. I say, "semblance," because reality can be so different from the outward appearance.---it's still only perceived security. Our only real security doesn't come with wires, alarms or even fat bank accounts. Our security rests only in Him.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

That's the "focus" needed to walk the pathway of real securi-TEA!

Purpose of Meditation

3/18/13 Putting God's words in my mind is the purpose of meditation for me. When I have His words  at the forefront of my "thinking," spiritual understanding begins to not only take root but begins to dispel those other thoughts. The inappropriate ones.

In my January BSF notes I had jotted down Charlie Brown's resolution, 'to only "dread"one day at a time.' I can relate to good ole Charlie Brown, because throughout my life, I have had to fight that ugly monster of dread. It used to rear its ugly head way too often. Being retired has helped me as retirement has provided more time for meditation. In the book of Joshua (verse 8) "meditating day and night" on the book of the law is encouraged. That is not without reason. Meditation helps quell the "dread."----at least for me it does. 

Discouragement can be a seedbed for dread. Thus, this weeks verse is a reminder for my thoughts not to linger there. I don't want any new "dread" popping up.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)

That's my purpose for this week's meditation. What's yours?

TEMPER THE HEAT

5/10/12 Each morning Mother always made her tea for the day. Right in the glass pitcher. She taught me  to make perfect tea by adding the sugar while the water was hot. (We never called it "sweet tea," it just always was.) To keep the glass from breaking, she always put a table knife in the pitcher and would pour the water so that it hit the knife first. I guess that somehow dispelled the heat.

I was reminded of this today as I read a “keep your spoon in the cup” incident described by the author in Surprised by Oxford, as her former professor was encouraging her, a “new” believer.

Keeping the spoon in the cup keeps the china from cracking under the heat, she explained…..The metal of the spoon becomes a conductor, protecting the delicate china from extreme in temperature.

You need to keep the spoon in the cup, Caro….especially when things get hot. God lifts us up, but He also grounds us. Fear will get into the cracks; fear ultimately is what breaks us apart. (Weber, 289)

I mulled my mother’s teaching with Weber’s analogy and some needed “fear” related verses. Mulling, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 27:1-3, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, II Timothy 1:7 & Hebrews 13:6, as I drank my English tea in my Hadley stoneware mug from KY. What a combo!

Dispelled. Dispersed. Diffused. All good action words for tempering heat. Heat that comes from struggles and fear. Fear that will crack us wide open if we don’t allow the truth from God’s word to infuse us and thus diffuse the heat that can break us.