MESSY MONDAY!

LIFE IS MESSY!

Especially on Mondays. For Sundays to be serene, I must be still, quit striving and let go of emails and texts. Then when I awaken to a new day, portals need to be finished for tomorow's doc appointment, text and emails answered but my internet* is missing & that's messy!

Think, non-existent atop this mountain ridge. 

Unraveling comes to mind.

Before I had a complete "come apart",  I needed to have a cuppa sani-TEA and get back into the Psalms. All that's necessary is a Bible. 

Grateful I found notes I had taken yesterday---from Psalms 104 (BC FUMC) and Psalm 1 (FEC Memphis) 

Praises for reminders ---Reading aloud Psalm 104 3x and noting words/verses that "jumped off page" and into my heart! 

MEDITATION kept jumping!

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.(Psalm 104:34)

Psalm 1 notes---Blessed (intensely happy and "gets it right"-- Pace)

is the man (a regular person, not  a king or scholar or man of note)

embracing these negatives of actions....

walks not in counsel of wicked...

stands not in the way of sinners....

sits not in the seat of scoffers ie scorners.... 

Yet, the positive stood out to me. 

but he delights in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Think exercising your mind to dwell on a passage. Think deeply. Ponder. 

Meditation turned my "Messy Monday" into Meditation Monday."

*Internet back @ 1:03 pm EST

THINK ON THESE THINGS!

A step beyond thinking..........to glean understanding!

Consider. Contemplate. Muse. Ponder. Reflect. Ruminate.

Ah-h-h, MEDITATE! Keep your mind full of God's Word!

Yesterday's March 4 Experiencing God devotional had me in a meditative mode...

• Words you speak can be a good gauge of what's in your heart.
• Mind needs exercise just as your physical body does.
• To keep thoughts pure, contemplate noble truths that stretch your  mind.
• Expose mind to truths of God's Word.
• Choose to concentrate on the truths of God.

....A convicting mode

"The things you allow your mind to dwell on will be revealed in the way you live."(p.64)

5 WORDS MEDITATION

"Monday Meditation".........."through love serve one another."*

Only 5 words from Galatians 5:13.

Few words to bring many thoughts.

"Self-indulgent" words" omitted.

How will I/you respond to those words today.

PATIENT PONDERING!

It's Monday! Meditating Monday for me. At least it was yesterday when I neglected to select "publish."

Henri Nouwen, author of Spiritual Formation, dubs it "ruminating, masticating, and digesting."

However one defines meditation, it's a spiritual action that takes the word of God from the mind to the heart. An inward journey.

Your Words were found, and I ate them and 

your words became to me a joy

 and the delight of my heart....(Jeremiah 15:16a)

Patiently ponder Jeremiah's 21 words. Take them to heart and let them change you!

MUSINGS ON MEDITATION MONDAY!

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." (Edmund Burke)
According to Psalm 1:1-2, the man who meditates on God's Word is blessed.

Donald Whitney in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life writes, "The tree of your spiritual life thrives best with meditation...(p. 49) 

This has certainly proved true for me as, "Thy words were found and I ate them and they became for me the joy and delight of my life...." (Jeremiah 15:16a)

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?"

Last Tuesday's In Touch devotional gave a great analogy of one's response, in today's culture, to God's inspired, inerrant word compared with the response of the Israelites as they heard God's Word for the first time since their exile. (Nehemiah 8:1-9)

• WITH EAGER ATTENTIVENESS--as Ezra read scripture from "daybreak till noon". (Neh. 8:3) 
• WITH REVERENCE AND WORSHIP ----all stood in reverence and then bowed down to worship the Lord (Neh. 8:5-6) 
• WITH UNDERSTANDING--they helped others understand what they heard, (Neh. 8:7-8)
•  WITH REPENTANCE--after hearing God's word they were convicted of sin and repented with mourning and weeping. (Nehemiah 8:9)

The entry has been in the forefront of my mind. 

I started today listening to Him as I meditated on His word. Throughout the day, I thought of hearing God in many ways these last five days. 

• Rain splashing against the window as I fell asleep last night. For one who struggles with insomnia, that was  music to my ears.
• Hubby "duck-talking" to Lucy. A song, a song, through the air waves of FaceTime.
• A nervous Owen's solo of the 3rd verse of Silent Night at "Winter Celebration" at school. 
  
  Radiant beams for sure with baby Jack's infectious smile as he saw his big brother.
• Radio" voice of "The Old Coach" waiting for him to mention, "Liles splits left."
  

Awareness of God in the daily.....had me "hearing" in a spiritual way.  

"Do you hear what I hear" throughout your day. 

Awareness is key to "hearing.

MY ONE WORD

Here I go again. Simplify. Focus.

Pare to one word for meditation if that helps.

Just like last year, I thought in January that I knew my one word for 2017. 

I had thought it would be one of two words. Trust or Joy. I was not even close.

Once again, I've spent the month of January focusing on what I thought would be my one word. 

Now here I am the first day of February re-"considering."

I'll keep you posted.

CHOOSE: MEDITATION

Meditation Monday---Nothing more needed than my old favorite New American Standard Bible.
Plus, on page 14, it has the yellow highlight marks from Josh at age 2.
An open Bible with a 2 year-old in your lap is always a special time for meditation.

http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2015/07/meditation-mine-or-thine-q-and-a.html
Today I was able to meditate on Isaiah 45:18-22 with two Prayer for Revival warriors.
Prayer overflows from the meditation on His word which always comes first!
What a time of praising the creator of heaven and earth knowing that He speaks truth and declares what's right. (Isaiah 45:19, NIV)
What a privilege to have prayer partners!

CHOOSE: SOUL FOOD

Have you ever had a "hankering" to once again taste a favorite food from times gone-by?

I have had such a hankering for "butter rolls." Peggy's and Madea's Restaurants have good ones BUT I have heard that Ellen's Soul Food has the best. I will let you know as I am trekking there today with friends.

I also "hanker" for soul food from old familiar passages in Scripture----wanting to "taste" them in a new way. Such has been the case this week as I've revisited Psalm 16, a fave of mine. 

I have been drawn back day after day and each time God gives me new insight. A new perspective on His tried and true words of old. Discovering something new, that wasn't new at all---just new in the way the words were now speaking to my heart. 

Tasting anew. Chewing on. Devouring in a new translation. 

Savoring. Verse by verse. Again and again.

8 I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.
(Psalm 16:8-9 CEV)

Spiritual soul food delighting my taste buds for truth from God's Word before I go for physical soul food from Ellen's.

Meditation" Mine or Thine: a Q and A

Randolph Walker stated in yesterday's (7/7/15) Commercial Appeal "Letters to the Editor," that "classic Judeo-Christian meditation is not about blanking out the mind." I concur. For many folks a blank mind easily turns to thoughts of SELF. Then, meditation easily becomes all about me.
My thoughts, (self-centered) not Thy thoughts. (other centered)
I practice meditation with God's word available---usually my Bible is open on my lap. Mr. Walker sees meditation as a "practice of reflecting on God's goodness."
Scripture at my fingertips helps me do just that.

Though prayer and meditation are different, they are not antithetical. Both are reminders of God's goodness. Meditation often serves as a springboard for prayer in a complementary way.

So.....does one meditate with the idea of discovering thoughts that are "all mine and will help me out" or does meditation help one focus on "Thine" as thoughts from Him with His help to direct those thoughts?

Rick Warren says it well in his first sentence on the first page of his book, The Purpose Driven Life. "It isn't all about you."

That pretty much sums it up.

The question, "Who is meditation about?"

The answer is, "Thee, not me"----especially in meditation.

"Mo-TEA-vating" : a Re-Brew, of sorts

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV)

"Meditating Mondays" were a part of this blog for years. A verse was given. Observations and interpretations were shared. Application was usually left up to readers. Last week's blog entry about the mo-TEA-vators in one's life, emphasized the value of the application aspect of Scripture meditation.

Motivating Mondays. "Mo-TEA-vating." Sounds good if it means putting hands and feet to the life lessons God is teaching through meditating on His word. Encouraging and exhorting others with God's truths, as one interacts with those whom God puts in his/her path, is application, at it's most practical. Why is motivating others with encouragement and exhortation so important? God's word answers that.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)

Mo-TEA-vating cuppa---filled to the brim with encouragement and exhortation and served to others. Lots of others.

God's love being poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5) should be all the mo-TEA-vation that one needs........to pour His love out to others.

A Priori-TEA? Absolu-TEA-ly!

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3, KJV)

Do I believe that priori-TEA times are important for one's relationship with the LORD?

YES,.....BUT.....today my early morning "quiet" schedule was just a "stab" at a true "Tea With Thee" time. Lots of "valid"---at least, valid to me, reasons. 

But God...in His grace granted a reprieve of sorts when a great time slot (between 1:30 and 2:30) opened up for a longer time of prayer and meditation. AND....isn't that what a quiet time is all about?

How special that my tea pot time was "spot on" for my afternoon cuppa raspberry decaf.

Time with the Lord. A priority? Absolutely! But.....keeping the intent of my commitment is more important than my "normal" checklist" & that mentality helped assuage my guilt.

Plus, the Lord filled me with Psalm 5 tea words:

• ..for med-Tea-tation (v. 1) from this "all those in communi-TEA" lament of David's. (v. 11 & 12)
• Priori-TEA of early prayer times in David's life. (v. 3)
• God hates iniqui-TEA. (v. 5)
• Recognition of the mul-TEA-tude of God's mercies. (v. 7)
• David's humili-TEA  in worship as he must have been prostrate before the holy temple. (v.7) Dr. Constables's comments on this verse gave me the idea of an at-TEA-tude of vulnerabili-TEA in worship. (Sonic Light, p. 25)
• Consequences of guil-TEA behavior of the wicked. (v. 9-10)
• Visibili-TEA of trust and joy in the lives of the righteous (v. 11-12) who walk in the straight way. (v. 8) 

"Tea with Thee." Priority accomplished? Absolutely! 

Hopeful Meditation #4

12/23/13 Having prayed verse 13 from the 15th chapter of Romans for a friend this weekend,  I realized that it was a perfect verse for meditation during this Christmas week. Hope began at Christmas.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Filled with hope. Abounding in hope. Overflowing with hope. Because of the One who gives hope.

"7" Word Meditation

12/16/13  7 words from God's word. I have been mulling just seven words lately as I have struggled to pare down in every area of life. To simplify. To get out from under my "overwhelmed" condition.

Do all things decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Jen Hatmaker had a similar epiphany and in her witty and truthful book, 7-- an experimental mutiny against excess, she documented her "journey of less." Seven months, seven areas, reduced to seven simple choices. Some months she only ate 7 foods. Other months only 7 articles of clothing were worn. Her experiences and foibles provided an entertaining read.

Hatmaker's goal for her exercise in simplicity, was to create space for God's kingdom to break through. A noble goal. Certainly nobler than mine. I desire relief. 

Too much stuff, even events on my schedule were robbing me of my joy with family, friends and the Lord. I had even considered "drugs" but upon re-reading parts of Hatmaker's book, I decided to forgo the doc visit and with the Lord's help/direction, rid some excess in my life---it's indecent to not only have so much but also to do too much. It's indecent "to be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3)

My plan allows for God to teach me rather than just checking one more endeavor off of my "spiritual" list. In other words, I've given myself permission to allow God's grace to trump completing "my goal."

Goal: Throw away, give away or delete from my calendar........7 things a day for 7 weeks. Giving away includes boxing up for daughter's garage sale or delivering to charity by the last day of project. (2/1/13)

My favorite "creative culling" so far included combining vitamins and supplements (more air than pills) from 2 or 3 bottles in to 1 (purchased on sale, I'm sure)  so that there was room in my "basket." Then I could read the colored labels on top---thus helping diffuse my frustration when SEARCHING for right one for my daily  pill box. Frustration so robbed me of my joy, that when my vitamin D or my 81 mg aspirin fell on the floor, I treated the mishap as a life or death matter. If others had seen or heard my tizzy, they might have called 911.  Days like that had me reconsider doc's RX as an option. Such tizzies can happen when one is so-o-o concerned about order that indecency creeps in and negates the intent of the verse. 

Decency (God's way) and order (God's methods and timing must go hand in hand!) 

Think about that along with those 7 words from God's word.

Like a Shepherd...

12/3/13 The Lord is my shepherd.....what comfort that brings. (Psalm 23:1)

Tender. Loving. Caring. Guiding. Nourishing. Think on those godly attributes as you meditate on Isaiah 40:11......

Messiah Calligraphic Word Pictures, Timothy R. Botts , p.39

Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock;
    he will gather lambs in his arms
    and lift them onto his lap.
    He will gently guide the nursing ewes. 

....and be thankful

War and Peace

11/11/13

11th hour of 11th day of 11th month---Armistice Day in 1918

I didn't remember that....but I do remember Veterans Day. How grateful I am for those who have served our country well while protecting our freedom, which I, for one, don't ever want to take for granted.

I desire peace among nations but have also seen, at times, the necessity of war during such times to afford Americans that peace. 

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 8)

Remembering and thankful, for the vets throughout my life.

FEEDING ON GOD'S WORD

11/4/13 To be fully healthy and live a life of abundant vitality, physical ingestion is only one part of our feeding. Spiritual nourishment is also necessary. Feeding on Gods's Word.

Photo by son-in-law, Corey whose Quiet Time allowed for feeding His soul.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

The original Hebrew translation from Deuteronomy 8:3 reads (I hope)

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ אֶ֤רֶץ חִטָּה֙ וּשְׂעֹרָ֔ה וְגֶ֥פֶן וּתְאֵנָ֖ה וְרִמֹּ֑ון אֶֽרֶץ־זֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶן

That's for dear friends Michelle and Brenda to think on this week.

Pick your Version

10/28/13 Meditating on scripture can bring a depth of understanding. Sometimes just reading a different translation of the same verse or passage can shed new light.

This weeks meditation came from my Atlanta friend, Katherine, who said she was praying this verse, Psalm 143:8, for me. What a blessing. What a verse. What a wealth of legitimate translations. /what a blessing to pass on as I have prayed this for others who are facing decisions and desiring God's good and perfect will in their choices. 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (NIV)

Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. (CEV)

Hurry with your answer, God!
    I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!
    That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
    I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
    I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—
    you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,
    because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
    into cleared and level pastureland. (Message, in context)

Pick your version and allow God to show you the truth He has just for you.

TONGUES FLAPPING

10/21/13

“…tongues flapping in the breath. “ Like flags flapping in the wind, they “snap.”

Does your tongue have a “bite” to it? Maybe, like a horse, it needs a bit to rein it in. 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

“I probably shouldn’t say this….”              Then DON’T!

"Bite your tongue, before it bites someone else." (C. Huffman, 10/6/13)

Make your words count. Use your tongue to edify others---to build them up & to  encourage them.  

Submit your tongue to the Lord. Allow Him steer your words in order to avoid unnecessary or hurtful “flapping and snapping.” (in context, James 3:1-10)

PLEAS FOR PLEASING GOD....

10/14/13 "There's a Psalm for That" entry last spring had me "camped-out" in Psalm 5. Today I'm there again, tho I'm at a different place in my life. Thus, today's verses for meditation are different.

Listen (give ear) to my words, Lord, consider my sighing. (lamenting lit. meditation)
Listen (consider) to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, Lord, you hear (heed) my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (eagerly watch, lit. look forward) (Psalm 5:1-3)

In this psalm one sees David's refusal to "stumble about stoop-shouldered, carrying his burdens throughout the day." (Living the Psalms, p. 17) Instead, he takes his needs to the Lord each morning.

Shouldn't I (you) do the same? Shouldn't my (your) pleas be about pleasing Him in every situation?