OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES!

Of all my blog entries through the years, this is right at the top of the list for blessing a grandmother's heart. 

"Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Think words....prayerful words from a first-grader.

Just click below to see & hear.....

@ goodgollygal

......a prayer that shares a first-grader's version of John 3:16 to be heaven-bound, and thankful for dinosaurs, parents and his sibling as he hopes God has a good week. 

His words greatly blessed my heart; I hope they blessed yours.

*Thx to John McCormick of reminding me "out of the mouth of babes" label..

FUNCTIONAL AGING (A.M.A.P.)

At our church, the LLL or Triple Ls are the ones whose class members would all check the last box on the age information-----above 65! Chronologically aging.

Functional aging is physical and out of our control. Attitudinal aging is a choice.

I'm wondering if checking that last box for some years now should have been an alliterative reminder for me---one who, too often, languishes in lethargy or lapse into anxiety.

Lethargy looms.  Lethargy lingers. Lethargy lessens.
Anxiety accelerates. Anxiety agitates. Anxiety adds angst.

Lethargy and anxiety are on opposite ends of a dysfunctional spectrum, but both are disturbances in a healthy relational life. Think sluggish vs wired!

Attitudinal lethargy and anxiety have their root in our thought life.
It's a mind battle. It's our "thoughts" which need positive intervention.
A.M.A.P. ---As Much As Possible.

I need A.M.A.P. of God's word in my thought life to be "transformed by the renewing of my mind." (Romans 12:2) I need to apply Philippians 4:8 as I capture thoughts at the entry level. and "think on these things."
True. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Admirable.
Meditating on these truths will "please my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Functionally.....A relaxed (not sluggish) attitude lengthens a man’s life.  (Proverbs 14:30, TLB) and a cheerful heart is good medicine.  (Proverbs 17:22).....
......RX = daily dose ASAP of a cheerful heart. A.M.A.P.

CHOOSE: STRESS RELIEF

Ah-h-h-h, wouldn't it be nice just to open a bar of stress relief soap and be able to use it to "scrub" out all the anxious thoughts in your head? It can be a real war in there. Lye soap type cleaning needed----though eucalyptus spearmint sounds more soothing for this much needed palliative care.

I know, in my head, that those thoughts need to be brought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:15)

I try---I really do. 

I know that God's word says, be anxious for nothing....(Philippians 4:6)

I continually focus on filling my mind with gratitude.

Maybe that's my problem. Focus. An "incorrect focus.
Don't focus on "doing." Focus on "being"---His, no less.

Just maybe, the problem is a "heart one," for out of the heart flows the issues of the heart. (Proverbs 4:23)