PERPETUAL WORSHIP!

SUNRISE!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)

View from breakfast table

May we all become "ablaze for the glory of God." (My Utmost for His Highest, 12/27)

Blessed as Hosea said, "Let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn;...." 

Blessed be the name of the LORD from sunrise to sunset!

KITH AND KIN!

Kith and Kin jumped off the page of MUHH devotional today. 

Kith was used in Angela's Ashes: A Memoir as a way of describing the feeling of relational loneliness. Even the dog was gone. 

In Scripture, Abraham's life was an example of one who left kith and kin to follow God. 

It's faith at its best. Faith might not know where God's leading will take them but knowing the One who is leading provides the faith and assurance needed to go. 

Kith, without  Kin, is an old English word for friends and neighbors. 

For me, the Kin part reminds me of kin as related by blood in family or by adoption. Kin can also include believers in fellowship---one's church family!  Think "heart" family! 

 

But God, in His love and mercy, has shown me the necessity of connection through the blood of Christ regardless if the mileage separation! I have greatly experienced that KIN in our recent move. 

I would have been dismayed if I had not seen the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

Kith and Kin are my land of the living!

C.O.G.

COG---Most people think of COG as the abbreviation for Center Of Gravity.

Think "source of power." A power that provides moral or physical act. A will to act.

I was so intrigued by COG thoughts during my Wednesday Wordsmith quiet time, I looked up "cog" and even asked hubby to explain it to me.I became a bit more confused. My mind does that a lot lately. But God, in His love and mercy showed me the COG I needed to focus on during this season of my life. "Rouse yourself up and look to God." (MUFHH)

Concentrate on God. "Look unto Him."(Isaiah 45:22)

Motion occurs. Action is transmitted. A smooth interlocking. His Word to my thoughts!

My Utmost for His Highest (1/22) reminded me how difficult it can be to continue to concentrate on God. One must, Narrow all your interests (COG) until the attitude of mind, heart and body is concentrated of Jesus Christ. "Look Unto Me."

The important spiritual COG starts turning the minute one "looks unto Him", turns to Him and builds his/her hope in Him. (Isaiah 45)

GLANCE OR GAZE ON GOOD FRIDAY

Glancing or gazing----It's a choice. 

I know because my journal jottings reminded me this morning!

My Utmost for His Highest Journal has been a go-to devotional for me since 2001!

It might not be neat, though I do use a lot of white-out these days, but it's always "on target" for me.

This morning, I spent a good deal of time gazing into God's word---that's my way to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) How else can one be aglow with the Spirit? (Romans 12:11, RSV)

Choosing to "Gaze on Him" is the best way to to begin Easter weekend on this "Good Friday" in Texas!

ATTACK-A-STACK

"Plop and Drop" is not usually the best way to study God's words.

But....this past week as "State of Emergency" was declared by our President, I have been using a "stack and attack" method along with my regular quiet times of study and prayers.

During this time of isolation, recommended by the CDC to prevent spread of the coronavirus, hubby declared he had "tested positive" for boredom. Not wanting to give-in to that, I've been reading a different devotional each day---sometimes 2. It's amazing how my eyes have been opened to these familiar entries with new insight.

Have a look at what truths I have seen. Glean truth from them as you read my impressions (sometimes w/ emphasis) or read entire entry if you have that devotional book.

3/13~All to Jesus~We can trust Him with loose ends and unsolved problems ....He expects us to depend on HIm with life's outstanding problems. 

3/14~Streams in the Desert~Do not fear these unknown things, but be content to accept the things you cannot understand and to wait. (Exodus 20:21)

3/15~My Utmost for His Highest~ As they followed, they were afraid. (Mark 10:32)" When darkness of dismay comes, endure until it's over, because out of it will come that following of Jeuss which is unspeakable joy." 

3/16~God Calling~ "My children I am here beside you. Draw near in Spirit to me. Shut out the distractions of the World. In quietness and confidence will be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

3/17~St. Patrick's Prayer portions (Allen Bible)~I arise today with God's strength to pilot me; God's might to hold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me--Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,  Christ on my right. Christ on my left,  Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I rise....

3/18~Jesus Calling~ Don't get tangled up in...worry- webs. Trust me one day at a time. Do not be anxious about tomorrow,....Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble (Matthew 6:34) The next entry stated, "Let the Spirit change your mind , combing out tangles of deception."

3/19~Practically Holy~"Hope rises. ...live out the hope of the gospel even in the face of stress and loss, and grimness of this place. ...but I trust God. I choose to hope in God". (Colossians 1:22-23)

3/20~Edges of HIs Ways, I spent lots of time this morning meditating on passage from 2 Chronicles 7:10-16.  As I finished that time of meditation I picked-up Amy Carmichael' daily devotional notes. She began the March 20 entry with a question, "Have you ever noticed this? Whatever need or trouble you are in, there is always something to help you in your Bible, if only you go on reading till you come to the word God specially has for you." Carmichael continued, You will know it the minute you come to it, and it will rest your heart." The words I found this morning during my quiet time had done just that...."humble self, pray and seek God's face....He will hear from heaven and heal our land." 

It was as if I had received a God wink of affirmation for my "attack the stack" endeavor this week.                     

It's been fun trying a new way to "attack the stack" as a way of refocusing on the Lord anew each day!

Choose introspection

Too much introspection, for many, can be more harmful than good. The lower case letters are that reminder for me.
So...I certainly didn't plan a two "cuppa" quiet time.
But God.....had me in a mental, physical and emotional"introspecting" state throughout the day.
But....in fact, it was a spiritual introspection with the other listed factors thrown in for clarity.

It all started this morning when reading my 2009 journal entry for January ninth. that date was the first time I had ever heard the word, biopsy, as it related to me. I had also written that Dr. Schneider said, "It doesn't look like cancer but that's where we start in order to rule it out." Boy, was he wrong! But God wasn't.

Even that day I had read in my devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, on "Intercessory Introspection" and from Psalm 139 that God knows when I sit and rise, what words I will say before I say them---for He is the one who created me. "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Throughout the day I did dwell on so-o-o-o many positives that were a result of my cancer and my roller coaster year of surgery upon surgery to rebuild my face. So many blessings---mainly because I knew that the Lord had answered the prayer I had prayed in 2009, "Lord, if it doesn't matter for eternity, I'd rather "it" not be cancer." How much easier it was to recall that prayer and know that the "CANCER" answer was His answer. God's best for me. It would count for eternity.

As today was winding down, God affirmed my introspection as I picked up a "new" gift. (which is a blog entry in and of itself) My gift, the devotional book, Savor LIVING ABUNDANTLY WHERE YOU ARE AS YOU ARE 's 1/9 entry spoke right to my heart.

"Blessings & Curses" and scripture citation, centered at the top of the page, was contextually about Joseph comforting his brothers who had left him for dead but overall it's a perspective of seeing how God can show good in one's life when situations seem so adverse.
You (cancer diagnosis, in my thinking) "intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:10)

The author expounded on the intent of wanting to savor life saying,  "When what you see in front of you is so far outside of what you dreamed, but you have the belief........to call it beautiful instead of calling it wrong, that's celebration."

In hindsight or introspection of said event, I can see my rare MAC cancer as one of the BIGGEST BLESSINGS of my life. An event worth celebrating.

DISCOVERING DIVINE DESIGNS

Compulsive. Idiosyncratic. Strange. Weird. That's me.
But God.....tends to honor my uniqueness.
Today's quiet time was a real "heads up" as I saw my W "caricature creation" in My Utmost for His Highest devotional journal. From today's entry I could tell that I had been embellishing Ws in both my Bible and MUHH at least since 2009.
WOW--I noticed the entry title, "Discovering Divine Designs." Oh my, that's exactly what I've been doing all these years with Ws!
My own "unusual way of "highlighting" worship as I read---and sometimes with an "eye" for worship reminders in my surroundings.

This week's "Walk of Worship" (WOW walks) on the beach was not to intentionally see Ws everywhere but to see God's perfect design in creation and to praise & thank Him for the privilege of "seeing" it!
But God....showed me a W in the wings of a bird in flight as well as webbed footprints in the sand!

Even as we returned to the condo last night from Cafe Thirty-A, I saw an arrow pointing to a glowing W. It was for a road warning....but I saw it as one more reminder to thank the Lord for the day's blessings.

Ws are everywhere---when one starts looking! Little "God Winks" to remind one of His Presence and to "worship the King!".

Furnishing....

My Utmost For His Highest (5/10)--- Furnish your faith with resolution....(2 Peter 1:5, Moffat) started me thinking.
Son Buddy's recent sermon (Matthew 6:19-21) reminded me that I need to choose real treasure for "furnishing" both my home and my faith---a step up from "does it "spark joy" as Kondo espouses in her Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Today's Streams in the Desert entry added fodder to my faith flame. (All that alliteration is inspired by friend Bernie.) To walk the way of faith, we must "furnish" our faith life with training---training rooms filled with the trials of faith, the discipline of faith, the patience of faith and the courage of faith. All "life's furnishings" required before the final victory of faith. (Streams, May 12)
But where do I start?

Fan the Flame---"Start a Fire" lyrics say it well

You only need a spark
to start a whole blaze---
Start a fire in my soul,
Fan the flame
and make it grow---
It only takes a little faith.


Start a fire in me today O Lord---furnish my soul with all of Thee.

In My Face 1/13/2009, 5:02 PM

Past entries are always front and center in my journal style devotional book, "My Utmost for His Highest." Some make me smile---like births, a grand's milestone or first word.
Other entries.... not so much.

Today's jotting sounds ominous and would seem one of the "harder" entries to recall.
Dr. Schneider called at 5:02 pm tonight with cancer diagnosis. (asking if I were sitting down, as I recall) ---rare microcystic adnexal carcinoma---will need to come out--deep  and major reconstruction will be required...."
Yet.....

....the 1/13/09 entry reminded me of a grim diagnosis with an iffy prognosis that became a year of incredible blessings and the life of abunDANCE that followed. 

Personali-TEA : NOT an individual cuppa

That they may be one, even as we are one. 
(John 17:22, KJV)

At our house, in the “kid raising” years, personalities were as unique and diverse as the number in our household. But….that’s the way personalities are. Yet, over the years they have changed for each of us. Some traits seem very similar---along the Liles/Adams bloodline characteristic. Others have emerged with maturity.

Praises for kindness, a trait I see in each of my ”kids,” though it certainly was not learned from me. I was the disciplinarian. I still seem to struggle with kindness---I want things done the right way….at the right time…for the right reason. This tenet needs to be tempered with kindness. So….I pray.

And….I open today’s entry of My Utmost for His Highest. Oswald Chambers delineates the difference between individuality (all elbows, which separates and isolates, 12/11) and personality which, when combined with love or the Spirit of God, transforms.

As we give up ourselves to God, “Love is the overflowing result of one person in true fellowship with another.” (Chambers, 12/12)

Enough said.

Tea with Thee time served me a cuppa “We are one” personali-TEA, to savor throughout my day.

Prac-TEA-cing Thy Presence

Back soon---gone to prac-TEA-ce what I'm preaching (writing).

Found out that it's much easier to type "Prac-TEA-cing Thy Presence" than to actually experience it.
At home, it's quiet and my prayer chair beckons....at the beach, needs of others beckon. AND in many ways, that's a good thing. Like Richard Foster I "honestly fill thee pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all, " (Freedom of Simplicity e-book p. 347) and describing such actions as trying to live "lives of frantic faithfulness. (Ibid, p. 362)

 It's just hard to sip a cuppa with Him when my mind is elsewhere. Reali-TEA is the cuppa at hand. BUT.....

Oswald Chambers obviously realized this when he penned, "Dependent of God's Presence." (MUFHH, 7/20)
The reality of God's Presence is not dependent on any place, but only dependent upon the determination to set the Lord always before us.

Brother Lawrence certainly experience the Lord each day "among the clatter of his kitchen, while several persons ...at the same time called for different things." His heart was at focused (in great tranquility) on the Lord in the midst of the hubbub as if he were on his knees." (Practice of the Presence of God, p 26)

Taking my cuppa reali-TEA to the 2nd floor balcony---where family can join me---time with family and communion with Him.

"Infideli-TEA!"

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, (Matthew 6:25, NIV)

Infidelity stinks. Whether it's a physical infidelity of a spouse or a breach of loyalty that breaks an emotional relationship with a friend, infidelity takes its toll upon relationships and leaves deep scars. What about spiritual infidelity? 

If we are to "take no thought for our lives" (KJV) doesn't that imply that mapping out our agendas and planning over excessively are a form of spiritual infidelity? According to Oswald Chambers it does. (My Utmost for His Highest, 5/23)

So much forethought can bring undue pressure. (Don't I know that to be true!)

Worrying implies that God can not look after the practical details of our lives. Infidelity can begin with the smallest worries. What to eat. What to drink. What to wear. 

"Look at the birds,....."Matthew 6:26

"Consider the lilies...."(Matthew 6: 28)

But in our own lives we still falter and thus fall into the worry trap. "I will not trust where I cannot see." (Ibid, 5/23)

Worry is infidelity.

Therefore, in obedience to the Spirit, today's blog holds no cuppa because I don't want to drink from a cuppa of infideli-TEA!*


*2:29 pm disclaimer/admission---Woe is me---I had no more gotten up from my prayer chair than I began to "sip" from that cuppa spiritual infideli-TEA. I couldn't find my car keys. Worries flooded in. "What if's" pounded in my ears! I not only sipped it, I swallowed it ----I should have spit it out!

I was headed to "work out" my stress (thru Zumba and a water class) wondering what if I can't get in without my pass, which is "attached" to said keys.

Woe is me who can "type it" but can't "live it"----at least not for sustained periods!

"Invincibili-TEA

"....the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10, KJV)

How grateful I am to Oswald Chambers for serving up a cuppa invincibili-TEA for me today in his My Utmost For His Highest entry. His reminder that the only way to know the strength of God is to give up complaining and take up the yoke of Jesus and "learn from Him." (Matthew 11:29)

We are "burden bearers" with Him. Hopefully others see peace and the joy of the Lord in our lives, for those two emotions are proof positive that a burden is there as well.

The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. .....the Spirit of God within the human spirit, creates that inner invincibility! (My Utmost, 4/14)

Chambers goes on to say, "If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out." (My Utmost, 4/14) What a great pithy grabber that is!

Don't you love it?  No whine, just wine.

Want to find the perfect cuppa to begin your day with Him??? Expore your options---you have a choice of accepting "God-placed burden bearing" that will produce the best wine in your life.

A cuppa inner invincibili-TEA is just what one needs to "sip" during a "Tea With Thee" morning time.

"loyal-TEA"

...Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5, KJV)

Loyalties abound in our world---tho usually more trivial, that foundational these days. Companies release long-time faithful employes and the younger generation seem to switch jobs/careers at the "drop" of a hat. Interestingly enough it seems as if those passionate loyalties belong more to our sports teams, favorite brand of coffee, an environmental cause or a contestant on "The Voice."

Even in Christian circles, many are loyal to their "notions" of Christ, but how many are loyal to Him?" (My Utmost, 3/28) Loyalty to Christ means one has to step out, as Peter did, (Matthew 14:29) when your "intelligence" tells you otherwise. Are you willing to take a step of faith in whatever the Lord has called you to do?

Fill me up Lord, with loyal-TEA to Thee!

"Loyal-TEA," sweetened with an attitude of devotion, is a "pleasant cuppa" to share with the One who is not only a Promise Maker but also a Promise Keeper!

"sen-TEA-ment"

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself....(Acts 20:24, KJV)

Sipping my morning brew from a cuppa with much sentimental value had warm nostalgia tugging at me as I began my Tea With Thee time. Certainly, there is a place for sentimentality in our lives. My "stuff" reflects my sentimental nature. I have LOTS of sentimental "tea" items.

But God....through today's My Utmost for His Highest entry, "Could This Be True of Me?" (3/4) got my attention. "It is easier to serve God without a vision (or call) because then you are not bothered by what God requires." Oswald Chambers likened such behavior as "actions guided by common sense, veneered over with Christian sen-TEA-ment."  Not focusing on "what God requires." Service for the Lord is NOT a place for sentiment. Sentiment can give a distorted spiritual picture. More me than Thee. Just a veneer to make my service look pretty.

Chambers' entry spoke to my heart because I am so influenced by my emotions and feelings----that it can become a detriment. Plus, I'm pragmatic to the core and both emotions and practicality can be a deterrent to "abandonment to God." (Chambers)

May I pray, as Chambers concluded. "Lord may I not consider if I am of use but may I only consider that I am Yours. May I serve You and do only what you require---act with justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you, O God." (Micah 6:8)

Pass it On

10/19/13 Hooray---"My"Target didn't have any Jesus Calling in Spanish left on their shelves, but Lifeway Christian bookstore did. What a thrill to pass it on to someone who will cherish it as I do. Two more copies are headed to Mexico, as well. 

Oftentimes daily devotional books aid us in "our times of soaking before God, being rooted and grounded in HIm.....that we can remain faithful to Him whatever happens." (My Utmost for His Highest, 10/19)

Patty with her copy of

Jesús te llama: Encuentra paz en su presencia

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

R.E.S.T.

8/26/13

REST---it’s the theme for our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women’s Ministry Bible Study this year. It’s so timely for so many. Tired people grow weary in trying, weary of forgiving, wearing of the pain and struggle. Weariness can be overwhelming.

People who need rest and refreshment often turn to pills, alcohol, even the spa to reenergize their sad lives as Max Lucado says in “Facing Your Giants.” But do they? There may be a reprieve from the weariness and the pain may be postponed, BUT is it removed?

Jesus Calling (8/3) reminds us that in such times, one should be quick to pray. Oswald Chambers “My Utmost….” entry (8/20) reminds us that our Lord is the One who establishes rest. 

Crickett, our WM director gave a helpful acronym to remember these truths

Re-order your priorities Lay all your burdens prayerfully before the Lord.

Exercise restraint. Learn to say, “No.”

Slow Down. God can redeem our time for His purposes.

Trust God. ‘Nuf said!!

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Lucado, 8/15)

R.E.S.T. might not have a tune but it has it’s own lyrics for the heart---and those words are meditation for today.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)

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.

Maintenance ???

9/15 12 Saturday’s have become a day for asking questions. No answers given, just questions to provoke thinking. Today’s question is, “Do you maintain a continual watchfulness over your heart?”  “Are there on-going thoughts for which you are ashamed?” (Psalm 19:14)

Oswald Chambers in 9/15 entry of My Utmost for His Highest asks the same type question. “Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light?”

Unlike me, he also gives the answer. If so, “renounce” those thoughts immediately. That’s the maintenance required for one to live to the higher standard of God’s calling---of being our utmost for His highest. (My Utmost, 9/15)

Maintenance required. Always for our spiritual growth, maintenance is required.

3X

9/6/12 Three times something is mentioned in the spiritual realm is a real heads-up for me.

After Monday’s blog entry on the idea of fullness of Christ in me overflowing to others, friend Jennifer B. sent me (9/5) this great poster, John 7:38, from a Broken People facebook page. Today’s on-line devotional was on “Rivers of flowing living water.” Thus, the head’s up.

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Broken People FB entry

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150876815937255&set=a.379006197254.150030.272936877254&type=1&theater

My notes:

• Such a river is all about the Source….
• If we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
• We have nothing to do with the outflow
• God rarely allows a soul to see the blessing that he is to others
• A persistent river often has to overcome obstacles.
• Keep paying attention to the Source… God can either take you around the obstacle or maybe remove it all together. Wonder if sometimes He leaves it there until we learn the life lesson He has for us?

In conclusion, Oswald Chambers says it perfectly.

Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.

http://utmost.org/ 9/6

 His words are often a real heads-up for me!