TUESDAY TRIADS!

Few pastors are as succinct as Scotty Smith! He says the most with the fewest words!

Think crisp with clarity!

A BIG thanks to Doris, one of his faithful followers, and Quad Squad member for sharing a recent Scotty NT Gospel Triad with me.

1. Who are believers? "Called, loved and kept" (Jude 1:1)
2. What are believers given? "Grace, mercy, and peace" (2 John 1:3)
3. What will last in a believers life? "Faith, hope, and love" (1 Corinthians 13:13)

How do I know this triad was for me? 

I needed it after a week's worth of being "off the grid" to focus on & care for Hubby after his serious reverse shoulder replacement surgery. 

He needs it as well. Think "right-hander" living with only left hand usage and pain.

For us, tonight's Allen Bible Church selection from the  ABC 2026 Reading Plan is 1 Corinthians 13 (A favorite Scripture of his)

Romans 12:12, a fave Bible verse for me from dear friend Dixie, is on my side of the bed to see as I get up to aid Hubby during the middle of the night! Controls to access his recliner are on the right side and unable to be reached by his left hand. One more affliction he faces. Grateful so many friends are faithful in prayer for us as Hubby heals. 

 

These triads are God's truth for all believers.

Today I see them as "God winks" for me, a needy believer who is so-so grateful!

WISDOM WALKS! WOW!

As one ages, walking is good medicine, whether one feels like it or not!

Walking can be a path to life with Him. Leaving one's mental checklist behind and focusing on His Presence! 

Last week as Hubby and I walked in much stillness we saw the path anew. Blue skies emphasized the first of the mountain laurel blooms hanging over the creek!

The path itself  was filled with bunches of butterflies.

Blue-spotted purples, a hubby ID.  Tiger Swallowtails. One Monarch that would never land. Even they, seeking moisture and sweet nectar, seemed to dance as if they too could "taste and see" that God's provision is good!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAY............................

So grateful for this day designated by US Congress when our country observes  a time for our people to turn to God in prayer and meditation. Memorable times for me have been in the pews at FEC, around the flag pole with students at Houston High School and at a cathedral in Albuquerque, NM with Okie Dokie and CharChar.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NASB)

Above fave verse for focus on this National Day of Prayer!

CUSHION OF CALM!

A "Cushion of Calm" prevails before the predicted storm filled with gusts, ball-sized hail and tornadoes hits! 

How special to await it on our front porch with

a devotional book, a new book and a cuppa in my Lake Junaluska mug. The cushion in the chair, for the physical comfort I needed, even included the reminder. 

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS. IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

In times of storm His sovereignty gives us His strength and peace, aka a "cushion of calm".!

A time of God's peace to rule in our thankful hearts. So we dance.

PEACE REQUIRES ABSENCE OF FEAR!

Spiritual Peace (peace with God)

Relational Peace (peace with others)

Emotional Peace (peace within ourselves)

Allow the cross of Christ to be present in your life in order................

....................to let the peace of God rule in your heart!

Vanquish all fear!

Be thankful, keep your eyes on the cross and let peace replace fears!

P.E.A.C.E.

P.E.A.C.E.

Acrostics to help us remember. Used often by me for self and others

Pray.

Enjoy. 

Accept this as "father-filtered.

Center your thoughts on Him and His will for you...

Expect to see God's hand in your life during this struggle.

P.E.A.C.E. Come up with an acrostic of your own to share with me or others.

FULLNESS WRAP UP!

Fill-up needed for the day? Regular. (Joy) Mid-grade. (Joy & Peace) 

Premium Octane. Fullness of God.

Where does one go for this premium fill-up?

God's word of, course!

...to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

Where else would one find all the fullness of Him!

FILL ME UP!

It's always smart to start our day with Joy in our heart. 

As we go through our day we  might run low on joy; Anxiety can set in.

We might need a little PEACE added. 

Brim's, a Bartlett TN (Memphis area) snack food company, reminds us that "life is so delicious" when we fill it with PEACE. Sounds like an abunDANCE to me!

You will keep Him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3, capitalization emphasis by Brim's)

What a yummy mid-day reminder for me!

SNIT, TWIT, OR WRONG SIDE OF THE BED

Have you ever started a day feeling off-kilter. At 2211, in my early years, Mother would say, "Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

Lysa TerKeurest said, "I woke up one morning in a twit." Embraced devotional (p. 259)  I, too, as Terkheurst says, am not even sure what a twit is unless one adds a "ter" to it. These day everyone knows what twitter is. 

TerKhurst describes a twit as "all twisted up with irritation sprinkled on top."

To me, that's a snit. I can wake up in a snit. Even a slight traffic delay, computer snafu or 45 minute hold on the phone can throw me into one. 

Regardless of the word choice for irritation/agitation, there's a real "choice" to be made! 

Choose to focus on God and not the "bum circumstance." Pause--inhale, exhale! Then choose.

 

His presence can unleash peace--enough peace for any snit, twit or wrong side of the bed! (Philippians 4:7)

PEACE BEGINS .............

.....wherever we, the peacemakers, are located!

Seek peace and prosperity for your "town." It's a great place to start. The earlier, the better. That's why many SCS schools have an international fair as a culmination of their year long international studies! What an extravaganza! 

It all began with folk songs 

and dances with music from 10 countries, including Norway's Troll Dance.

Each grade focuses on a different country.But....the pre-school focuses on their town. Memphis. We met the "mayor," Elvis, a grizz and a miniature "Penny" along with the duck master of the Peabody Hotel with his ducks all in a row.. Each 4 yr. old knew their speech and then treated all visitors to BBQ (Central) as we left. 

Each grade presented information on their country through displays, speeches and other creative artsy ways.....from computer slide shows to pottery and hands on art. During the Russian tour we were treated to "bottle people" of famous astronauts, ballerina's and conductors, all created by the students.

Plus, an international food tasting......African fruits, French pastries and Nutella, Japanese sushi, Mexican tamales. Russian caviar, borscht and black tea along with good ole PBJ sandwiches from the USA!

Seek the welfare of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it has prosperity, you will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7)

Seek peace and prosperity as Jeremiah says----wherever God has put you.

Why not start in an elementary school!

CHOOSE: PEACE WITH YOUR PAST

Don't come to your present moments encumbered with "if only" regrets from your past!

Sip a cuppa amnes-TEA with your past. Sweeten it with acceptance. 

Otherwise you might squander the "present" and never find lasting peace.

"Only in acceptance lies peace." Elisabeth Elliott, (my NIV marginalia)
I choose Christ in Me---the One who gives me peace in the present but also enables me to come to terms with my past, so that His peace might reign there as well.

CHOOSE: HOPE

God's Word says it well. (Romans 15:13)

When I choose hope, I choose from within. 

I choose God, my source of hope! 

CHOOSE: PEACE

Choosing peace is not always as easy as it sounds. It's a "mind thing!" Aren't all choices!

When anxious thoughts seem to multiply within me, (Psalm 94:19) like knots in my stomach, I need to seek the "fruit of peace!" Allow His peace to come forth, grow within, and ease those knots.

Choose to "Seek Peace and pursue it"---thats the right choice!! (Psalm 34:14)

Safe-TEA, Securi-TEA, Sereni-TEA : a peaceful blend

May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122: 6-9, NIV)

When Seth Stevens taught in August on this "song of assent," he emphasized the Jews were walking up to Jerusalem to the house of the Lord. Each year when they made their trek together the goal was the same---to draw closer to the Lord.

Four months later, I'm reminded, especially through church services and Christmas carols, to be grateful for that gift which I have received. Immanuel. God with us. God with me. It's a spiritually internal (now) / eternal (one day in the future) experience. Peace.

"I don't have to let pain and hurt form my theology." (B. Liles, 12/7/14)

He is my peace. 

It's the gift I want to give to everyone this Christmas. Everyone needs it and His "God size" fits all---His peace forever! 

The Lord be with you. Peace be with you. And also with you. (Episcopal liturgy/Book of Common Prayer)

He is with me. His peace is available for me. His peace is available for all.

He provided the perfect gift----His Son.

Cuppa peace all wrapped up for the season---just serve yourself

For those who receive Him, we are served a deep abiding peace .......a cuppa PEACE blended with safe-TEA,  securit-TEA and sereni-TEA that warms us within our hearts!

Tranquili-TEA: A calm cuppa

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all time in every way.
(2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV)

But what do we do with the peace that the Lord provides? Do we even slow down long enough to recognize it for what it is? Do we let the world bombard us with its messages so that God's word is obscured?

J & MJ, our "couple friends" have chosen to limit use of their devices and to disconnect completely from television. NO TV. Highly educated, fun-lovin', caring, NORMAL folks choosing to pull the plug on media influence and its overwhelming interruptions. (For skeptics, there's no live streaming at their house either.) My hubby can't even begin to imagine a "NO Sports" life.

Such a deliberate decision would at least give a person control over one aspect of the world's influence in his/her life. Just having the TV "on" can draw someone in. Certainly a TV program can blindside anyone---planting a word, idea or picture that can be difficult to get off one's mind. 

 TV ads can influence a person's actions. This is no surprise when one considers that a 2014 Super Bowl commercial is $5m for a 30 second spot or a heftier $10m for a 60 sec spot. A captive audience for their product is pricey. I admit to watching the ads as much, if not more, than the game but I don't tend to retain enough info to warrant companies opting to pay that kind of money.

I love having "NO TV" friends. They inspire me to choose"peace and tranquility." Friends who have chosen to decide what controls, not only their minds but also their time. Living "out" from our city limits in a 100+ yr. old home, filled with overflowing book shelves, Bibles on side tables and a wrap around porch, offers positive options. 

Result = Peace. Tranquility in living. 

This morning, with the TV off and no extraneous noise,  I picked the tea I wanted to "brew."
 It added to the tranquilty of my "Tea With Thee" time. 

J & MJ understand that they get to pick what they "brew" in their minds. 

Cuppa of choice---tranquili-TEA. 

sereni-TEA

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

A 1956 Clairol Ad slogan, “Only your hairdresser knows for sure,” rang true as my stylist asked, “Dotsy, are you lingering?” 

What was her clue? My words? My countenance?

Lingering? “Am I?” I asked myself repeatedly over the weekend. Does my schedule allow for times to linger? With the Lord? With family? With friends?

A dictionary search revealed a synonym for linger. Remain. When I remain, physically in my prayer chair as I commune with Him, I can then “remain” spiritually with Him throughout the day.

My mind settles on Him, stays on Him and remains focused on Him. The ensuing result is peace.

Peace synonymous with serenity.

Sereni-TEA. A perfect cuppa as I chose to linger during my “Tea with Thee” time today.

Meditation: Visual Aid

9/16/13 A visit last fall to the Chatlos Memorial Chapel at The Cove in North Carolina, aka Billy Graham Training Center provided me with the "visual"aid for today's Monday Meditation. This verse is one I often pray or my "daily" folks so.....I thought a little more insight, via meditation, would be helpful. 

God's grace. God's countenance. God's Peace. Word pictures can also be visual aids as we meditate.

Sunday Storms

9/25/11 Warnings postponing my post ---will return when warning is lifted.

Just changed blog because I have storms on my mind.

Storms in life too often interrupt my peace. I prefer joy.

Yet I have learned that striving for that joy and peace is wearisome. Acceptance is key. Accepting that life will never be perfect this side of heaven, no matter how hard I try to make it so. Choosing to see joy in the imperfections and interruptions that life sends my way.

Accepting that I am His in the lull before the storm, in the midst of the storm and in its aftermath.

He Himself is our peace, (Ephesians 2:14)

Saturating Saturday

1/24/09

Began day with Saturday routine (routine feels good) --- Warriors on the Wall prayer time---praying lots for my "back-up/sub partner, Linda Dickens---what a privilege to pray for others.

Together Larry and I listen to son Buddy's Jan.18 sermon on-line---series he is in dealt with truth about trials and sufferings---how timely—from I Peter 1:6-12 and a few detours to Romans 8:28 (LA's verse) and Matthew 6:15 & 16 (scripture passage I taught in Mexico last March)---God blessed us with His peace. So…………….

Word of the day is Peace--------------World definition is without conflict or war---Dotsy definition is supernatural calmness in the middle of war or trial and God's word says……

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11) Wow, there's yesterday's word---abunDANCE---God often has to show me things more than once (or twice even) Will have to do a word study on Hebrew word for meek b/c definition that comes to mind is not one that I think describes me.

After God, had given me all this during my time with Him, then I opened Jesus Calling and the first two words were, "My Peace" (Uh—hel-lo!)

Glad for peaceful morning b/c rest of day was a whirlwind with 3 phone calls from sweet, precious, brilliant, world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Louis Carter. He called my Dr. Burruss—Dr. B's response was, "How did you know about this?" Anyone besides me know the answer to that!!!!!