MORNING MUSINGS!

Beginning the week with BIG truth in few words!

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF OTHERS

ABIDE IN JESUS.

BE CHANGED BY JESUS.

EMBODY THE WAYS OF JESUS.

ENOUGH SAID!

HOPE /LOVE/FAITH

TRIAD OF VIRTUES IN ST. AUGUSTINE'S WORDS

Love gives us hope that one day we will see face to face the One who is love.

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE ARE INTERTWINED!

It's His love we rely on. It's the core of our faith! (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Paul instructed his followers to be defined by love (John 13:34-35). 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

God is love. In Him we put our faith and receive hope.

"WORDSMITHERY"

Wordsmithery- -the skillful use of words by a wordsmith. 

I came across the word in Kate Morton's most recent book.

It reinforced to me that most wordsmith's, those skilled in wordsmithery, were first avid readers. Her writing reflects that as well. Wordsmithery quality. "This was the magic of books, the curious alchemy that allowed a human mind to turn black ink on white pages into a whole other world." (Morton p. 201)

Morton lists many books as well as a few poems in the story that affect the characters in one way or another.  In her acknowledgements she states the book is also about book and booklovers and that why a number of writers and works are mentioned within its pages. (p.547)

Budding wordsmiths need access to libraries. Libraries can build community and offer books as well as a refuge for those who need someplace to go. As this year's theme of National Library Week states, "There is more to the story." As author Gary Paulsen (1939-2021) shared "the apartment basement, a survival place with an easy chair, rats and a hotplate---away from family tensions."

What ultimately saved Gary Paulsen's teenage life was a library. He often stopped in to the library to get warm. A librarian gave him a library card with his name on it and his first book. One a month, then one a week. Then one day she gave hims a Script notebook and a new number two pencil.

"Books saved my life."

Christians know that Jesus is truly the one who saves lives for eternity but those who have deep troubles, especially children, need to cross paths with one who cares---like offering a drink to the thirsty or care to one lost on a road side. Loving the Lord and their neighbor as themselves. (Luke 10:27)

A.E. thought all people should know the location of the library. I, on the other hand, think all should know the location of the church---a body of believers, where the best wordsmithery is found. 

In the pew back Bible. God is the ultimate Wordsmith!

WHOLE-HEARTED

Synonym Survey of wholehearted on this Wordsmith Wednesday!

(wholehearted (Allen Bible Church graphic)

• abiding.
• ardent.
• authentic.
• bona fide.
• candid.
• committed.
• complete.
• dedicated.

My focus verses this year deal with the love of one's heart. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind and with all all your strength. The second is  this: 'Love your neighbor as yoursel'. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)

I like the Weymouth New Testament version that uses "whole" as the descriptor....and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind, thy whole strength and thy fellow man as much as thyself). (Luke 10:27 WNT, emphasis mine)

It keeps wholehearted ringing in my ears with the whole of its synonyms.

CHOOSE: FOREMOST FOR THE FIRST FRIDAY

First Friday Focus

Matthew 22:38 sums up the first and foremost of all the commandments :

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37) 

Dr. Luke combines the greatest commandment in the law as well with "and love your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27)

These words are first and foremost for keeping on your heart---on this first Friday and forever!! 

elemen-TEA-ry

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8, ESV)

Hubby and I are both Sherlock Holmes fans. We don't belong to the Baker Street Irregulars nor do we don deerstalker hats to celebrate His possible birthday of January 6. After all he is a fictional character. But....we appreciates both the written and television works based on his detection skills. BBC/PBS is filmed in London. The locale is familiar. The acting incredible. Even the CBS contemporary update, set primarily in NYC is enjoyable. Plus, Watson is a female. A novel approach.
Film and TV productions have used the Holmes line, which he uttered to Watson, that is recognized by anyone over 60. "Elementary, my dear Watson." 

Elementary. The obvious. The basics. Simple truths. Recognizable by those truly seeking. Foundational for deduction and spiritual understanding.

All this to say, that in the Christian faith, there are some elementary truths that all denominations hang their hats on.

My favorite "BASIC" verses (emphasis, mine):

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
• Serve the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:2)
• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and (love) your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
• Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)
• Serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:3)
• Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• In everything give thanks....(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God...(2 Timothy 3:16)

Just the basics---elementary truths. A cuppa elemen-TEA-ry sweetened with God's truths which Christians should sip every day.

"ON PURPOSE"

3/1/13 "Intentionality" is the BIG buzzword in Christian circles. In our Heart to Heart  Bible study we have spent the '12-'13 year discussing intentionally "pressing on" in our spiritual maturity and "pressing on" with purpose.

Wednesday night's lecture (Ecclesiastes 5: 8-6:9) by Kim Seville reminded me of truths I needed to consider about God's goodness as I "press on with purpose" in my spiritual walk. God is the giver of gifts in our lives. God not only gives the gift of prosperity (blessings, even those in disguise) but He also gives the gift of enjoyment. 

• God often separates the enjoyment of the gift from the gift itself in order to draw our attention back to the Giver. 
• Love the Giver, not the gift.
• Two loves are commanded positively in scripture------Love God first and love people well. (Luke 10:27)

"My" thoughts are that God gave the greatest gift to draw all men unto Himself. He did it "on purpose."

"On purpose"----the way I intend to live my life of intentionality---it's just easier to say that way.

E.G.O.

8/23/10 Edging God Out….that’s what our ego does. It puts self in the forefront. The more of self, the less of God….a “more of me less of Thee” concept. With this mentality that is so prevalent in a “ME first” / “watch out for # 1” society, problems abound. Why? We become our own god---thinking our purpose on earth is for our pleasure/happiness and comfort. But God says………….

You shall have no other gods before Me. (Deuteronomy 5:7)

To find true joy, change your purpose. Follow God’s word.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)

Love God first, neighbor second and then self----it’s the way to live well---“dance” if you will!

"WALK! WALK!!"

2/4/10 "Walk, walk." was one of Owen's first declarative sentences. However, declarative soon became imperative and as doting grandparents we followed his command. Last week Shug and Pop-Pop did just that. Although Owen’s sentence structure is now more complex, you still understand the “imperative mood” and we usually comply.

Walking with Owen is not exactly a walk. It’s more of an adventure. He ran to get ahead of me; he stooped down to investigate the crawly thing in the crack in the sidewalk; he picked an old stick (with dried leaves) out of a bush that was almost above his reach and then trotted along dragging it through the dust; he investigated the underside of an unusual wrought iron mailbox while he waited for the mail truck he could see in the distance. “It’s not Walter ,” he said.
Walter is Owen’s mailman and he doesn’t drive his mail truck but instead parks it at the end of O’s street. Walter walks on Owen’s block delivering mail through mail drops built into the old houses. There are no mailboxes on his street, thus Owen’s fascination with this new “delivery” method. The mailman didn’t know Owen ----yet. He answered his questions about “Where’s Walter?” and “Do you want to walk?” Owen got to know him and he seemed delighted to know Owen. We even crossed the street to “beat” him to another mailbox. We won. Actually we all won as we laughed with our new found friend.

There’s a lot to be learned from a walk with a grandson who is almost 3. He found joy along the way. When I go out for a walk it’s usually for the dreaded EXERCISE. For Owen, it’s like a dance---something to savor and enjoy every step of the way. I look at my watch. Owen revels in God’s creation. He looks down at bugs and up at the bushes. I hurry to finish my “goal” and return home. He makes new friends along the way.

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Luke 10:27)

How can I love my neighbors if I don’t even know their names----I’ve decided to follow Owen’s lead. I’m going to find out my mailman’s name. It’s imperative that I do so.

Attitude of Gratitude

6/16/09 Attitude of Gratitude vs. Entitlement
Life is a gift and what we do with it is our gift back to God. Our experiences in this game of life can have meaning, can impact others for good, or can be self-serving in an “all about me” kind of way. Folks who are rich toward God might not necessarily be rich in the world’s way, with all the right toys, but they are usually generous to a fault. I have been the recipient of the generous hearts of God’s people and those are the folks I want to emulate.

I think those generous ones have hearts full to overflowing with gratitude. I also think it is that gratitude that keeps envy, dissatisfaction, whining and complaining at bay. A thankful heart keeps us from taking what we have for granted and stops us from always wanting just a little (yea, right) bit more! That’s an illusion---thinking gratitude will come as soon as the stuff desired is a part of life.

Our society teaches us that we are “entitled” to a big home, a vacation with the family and even good health or at least adequate insurance. So what happens if some of those “things” are missing. Misery? Bitterness? Self-pity? Certainly self-preoccupation can imprison us with those chains of anger and resentment, that entangle us when our expectations are not met. What if the life your living right now is as good as it’s gonna get this side of heaven? What if it gets worse? Can you find blessing and gratitude in the struggle? You can if your life “counts” for other people.

As I’ve mentioned before, one of our family pastimes is playing all kinds of games together, including board games. We have boxes of those and look forward to new ones each year while cherishing old favorites. But regardless of the game, when it’s over it all goes back in the box. I remembered that from J. Ortberg’s book, When the Game is Over.

As I searched this book out, I was taken with the synopsis on the book jacket---a very sobering reminder—a time will come when the game of life comes to an end. Then what?

• No more game cubes or cards.

• No more tokens.

• No more promotions, financial planning, vacation homes or big toys.

• Game over.

If your life has been filled with the love of the Lord and has overflowed with gratitude and thanksgiving to Him and others, you will have been “rich” and your eternal reward will be great. People matter. A relationship with the Lord matters. As Ortberg says, fill every square on the game board of life with what matters most and be thankful. What ever we do for God and others does not go back in the box---it lasts throughout eternity.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Luke 10:27)