SEE THE CROSS!

Do you see it---the cross that is?

 

Keep your FOCUS on the cross! (Hebrews 12:2)

PRACTICING SABBATH

How does one practice keeping the Sabbath when she can't even go to church? 

I'll let you know as I discover.

Shabbot---in the Hebrew means cessation...as in rest Think stop. 

Stop doing long enough to rest in your relationship with the Lord.

Stop striving. Stop fearing. Stop regretting.

Too often I need the reminder to press the "PAUSE" button in my life to be refreshed in what God's purpose for me is this day.

CHOOSE: FRETLESS

To be "Fretless in Memphis," one has to fret less and trust more. 
Cut out the worrying. That means fret NOT, Dots! (That's scriptural---just read Psalms 37: 1, 7, 8! Okay so it doesn't say Dots---feel free to insert your own name.

Choose faith not fretting.
Easier said than done, sometimes. Maybe if I were "more" fretless it would render me less sleeplessness. What a praise that would be!
But God....through Cole Huffman's  Philippians 4:4-7 sermon (3/19/17), reminded me of 2 things I know. Two things that give me peace.

1. I know I am not in control. (God is)
2. I know that I am cared for.  (By God)

Knowing those 2 truths reminds me that in the midst of fears (basis for much of my fretting) the Lord is at hand! (v. 5, ESV) Therefore, I not only can lean into His control but I can also lean into His care.

Fretless hot tea drinkers see their cuppa as 1/2 full, NOT 1/2 empty. A cuppa positive-TEA!

Selectivi-TEA : a re-brew

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12, NIV)

"Listening to the Lord" has continued to be in my musings. Is His voice so gentle and soft that I need a hearing aid? Or....am I not being still enough to sense His words?

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7, NIV)

A chapter in book, Love Does, which Marge, my mountain hostess, shared with me, had a chapter dealing with this topic. Maybe, God speaks loud and clear through others.

Author, Bob Goff, definitely gave me some food for thought---or ear drops to clear my ears to aid my hearing. The intro to his "Hearing Aid" chapter said, "I used to think that God wouldn't talk to me but now I think I'm just selective with what I hear." (p. 137)

Other Goff gems:

• God doesn't speak in a voice into make audio needles move. 
• No cosmic whispers. No movie reels with subtitles.
• Sense something down deep like a tuning fork to "ping" my soul.
• God doesn't pass us messages, He passes us each other.

A great question is, "Am I just being lazy as I sip a cuppa selectivi-TEA while tuning out anything I don't want to hear?"

May I sit and "listen" just as Sarah Young did while writing Jesus Calling. She shared with me that it took lots of time sitting quietly and waiting.

Her cuppa selectivi-TEA provided impressions and scriptures on her heart and she jotted them down. A word. A phrase. a verse. A thought. She listened intentionally. Expectantly. Selectively. Blocking distractions. He filled her cuppa.

That's the best cuppa selectivi-TEA!

Longing for Leisure

8/5/11 “I would love it if someone would pay me to stay home,” is a thought I averred for years. Now I’m paying myself from my retirement funds to do just that. Throwing in my 3^rd Wednesday Social Security check and that assertion has become a reality. Leisure looms in my future. Or does it? Hubby tells me that I can even make “work” out of leisure.

I am a, self-admitted, goal-oriented gal. Can one enjoy leisure times and still accomplish goals? “It’s okay to have a busy life. It’s crazy to have a busy soul.” (Miller p. 251) But how do you reconcile the two?

Today’s Jesus Calling (8/5) answered that. “A leisurely pace accomplishes more than striving.” What a great affirmation for one who would like both---productivity and a quiet soul. It just depends on your focus/priority. Put first things first.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; (Psalm 37:7)

Confessions of a Nap Queen

5/19/09 Napping
I am a self-professed napper-----in all the verb tenses. I nap. I have always napped---as far back as I can remember. In college my friends teased me that I majored in early childhood because napping was a part of the curriculum. One friend, Susan, also used to tease me that my tombstone would read, “Just down for a 5 minute nap.” I will continue to nap every chance I get. It is beneficial to me---some folks say it’s good for the heart. My naps are more of the short power nap variety. Today my nap helped refresh my mind from a tiring day. According to William Anthony, author of the Art of Napping at Work, a 20-minute nap can improve your overall alertness, boost your mood, and increase productivity. I, at least, wait until I get home to nap. Naps are restful for me!

There is also a theology of resting. I’m just scratching the surface with it but…… knowing Him allows real rest. Today’s God Calling entry said one is able to rest knowing all is safe in God’s hands. “Rest is trust.” It’s more than just ceasing from activity. It’s an active knowing. “Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Note that the verse doesn’t end with just the ceasing of activity—that can be a form of distrust---but it becomes rest/trust, as one knows that He is God!
I can rest in God and that’s a real refreshing, beneficial power nap---one that’s really good for my heart.
Tonight, “Rest in the Lord,” (Psalm 37:7) knowing that He gives to His beloved even as they sleep.

DAY OF REST

3/27/09 Homecoming--it might be brief but already has been blessed. 

Arrived greeted by “Welcome Home” balloons on mailbox, yellow ribbons around trees and pink roses w/ “Dotsy” ribbon sitting on the kitchen table, lots of hugs, cards, soup, calls and visits----love feels so good. 

Stayed in pjs all day as this became a day of rest---I spent all day easing into my day and decided not to feel guilty about it as I am now about to ease into bed for a long night’s rest…..knowing true rest comes from Him. 

• Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7) 
• Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalm 116:7) 
• One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
•  …..and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it: and you will find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16) 
•  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt. 11:27-30) 
• In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) 

 Goodnight.

1/18/09

1/18/09 Sunday

Yesterday Larry got me a pair of fur-lined CROCS ---from Baumer's Footwear, of course—great way to begin the day--

I got to see Owen's (19 mos.) "Music for Aardvarks and other Mammals" music class. I stood in the corner with Purell in hand to ward off "germs" and thoroughly enjoyed myself----esp. when he would come to take my hand or Pop-Pop's b/c he wanted us to be included. Later hair stylist took me after hours to get a "short" haircut to make days ahead easier---

Excerpt from prayer journal—doing word study on waiting—

Psa. 40:1-5

I waited patiently (patience is not one of my virtues) for the Lord: He turned to me and heard my cry (this cry occasionally has tears along with it.) He lifted me out of the slimy pit and out of the mud and mire. (Is this what self centeredness/self-pity looks like? Thank You, Lord that because of Your Presence through this journey, I have not asked, "Why me?" It's not about me—but Thee) He put a new song in my mouth, (and most likely it's going to be a new mouth) a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear (reverential respect?) and put their trust in the Lord._(A-men and A-men)

All my English teacher buddies,---remember that my journal does not have spell check and forgive me for causing you shivers if & when misspelled words appear.)