PRAYER CHAIR PROMPTS!

SCRIPTURE PROMPTING PRAISES!

He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

PRAISES for a LORD who keeps us close to His heart!

BUT GOD.....1

Blue skies. Green trees. Milder temps.

All magnified by a phrase from God's word on a car in the parking lot.

Walking slowly holding hubby's arm and  praying for friends who last week were labeled wives and this week are leaning into the LORD even more as widows who will be attending the funeral of their late husbands this week.

Though all around them circumstances have changed, both have clearly understood the importance of "but God" who in His love and mercy has provided many prayerful saints as their prayer warriors and helpers.

O Lord continue to be their "refuge and the strength of their heart and portion forever."

WISE WORDS!

WEEKEND WISDOM!

Wise Words.

5 words or FEWER. Here they are....count them.

Look for the BIG meaning! (Citations don't count)

• Be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9)
• Seek the Lord's strength; (1 Chronicles 16:11)
• Joy of Lord is strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) 
• God is my heart's strength. (Psalm 73:26)
• Quietness and trust is strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

What's the focus for each set of "5 or FEWER"?

Strength of course!

NO WANDERING IN WISDOM

A WISDOM Walk is intentional!

God has shown me that sometimes I need to trek away from the chaos  and head to the calm. 

My actual path.............

The terrain was a little rough/tough but so were the thoughts bombarding my brain. But God had me there for a reason.......to reflect and gain wisdom for upcoming decisions. Not to just sit and be still to hear His voice but to walk closely with Him in all areas of life......to find the narrow road that leads to wisdom.

Today's Jesus Calling entry stated those very points. 

• God loves me for who I am, not for what I do. 
• Walk closely with Him each moment. 
• Discern His voice. 
• Listen for His directives. 

My sheep know my voice and follow me wherever I lead. (John 10:4)

WOW = Words Of Wisdom from His word NOT my wandering guilt laden thoughts!

SATURDAY SHORT IN THE MOUNTAINS: A RECALL!

Recalling last night's Lectio 365--a gift from Katya, my Ukrainian friend and sister in Christ............

May this Saturday short remain long in my heart!

FRIDAY FIVE!

My five words for focusing on this FRIDAY are so needed!

WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

AMEN!

CASTING CARES!

Casting is difficult in the rushing waters of Deep Creek according to son-in-law Corey. It can also be difficult in Colorado according to my nephew Ryan, who ties his own flies  Casting is difficult. From getting better at casting to fly-fishing is what grandson Caleb works on all the time in his fishing adventures.

I, on the other hand, had to have lessons years ago on "casting."  Celebrating in Serenbe, GA as  the "Baby" of our group turned 60, we all gave it a try. I didn't learn much but it was so fun exploring "the "high church" of fishing which fly-fishing has been labeled. (Fishing gear hard to see but we did have some. It came with an instructor.)

As we have all aged exponentially, we have learned the need for casting. 

Nowadays, "casting" is the importance of letting go of "what ifs" of medical testing and the "fear of the ramifications of the latest malady" discovered. Lots of praying. Lots of fellowship on the same side of the struggle as we groan with and for one-another. Casting for a fish is nothing compared to the need to cast our anxieties and worries for each other to the only One who can bring comfort. Jesus, who cares for each of us, His children! 

Lately, as the cares of our hearts are many, His consolations cheer our souls. (Psalm 94:19)

So.....I keep prayerfully "casting" for dear friends.

BUT GOD.................

BUT GOD--a phrase that stays,--- in my mind that is!*

A prepositional phrase that speaks to my heart time and time again. "45 times" in the Bible according to Desiring God. 

At yesterday's UM Commencement I was enthralled by the mortarboard designs! Such variations! Guess which one caught my attention!

 

"But God Moments" follow a time of despair or crisis, signifying a pivotal change brought about by divine intervention. They reveal God's ultimate authority and transformative power in seemingly hopeless situations. "BUT GOD" moments signify God's mercy, deliverance and strength in adversity. (Dr. Chris Caster, Christ Church)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

I'm "being still" but you, dear reader, may shout, "AMEN!"

*It was also a fave phrase of church friend, Martha R.

SUSTAINING GRACE FOR ALL OUR YEARS!

Too often my weariness and complaining spirit of aging maladies becomes an audacity or impudence of sorts to those who age well. Cast your cares on God and He'll sustain you.(Psalm 55:22)

Some folks make 95 look great! 

Bobbie Scholik does just that! Check out that smile & she had not even been out of the hospital for 24 hours! Of course, it helps to have son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Jamie, who are great caregivers. I was a drop -in visitor and I was the one who left with the biggest blessing!

I was reminded of the comfort God's word brings as I pushed the down button on the elevator.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

More specifically....."Even to your old age and gray hairs.....I am He who will sustain you. " (Isaiah 46:4)

O Lord, may I have "ears to hear" of your sustaining grace as I age.

s l o w i n g VERBS NEEDED

Wordsmith Wednesdays seem to frequently have me exploring verbs. I have spent several years focusing on dance in both the verb and noun parts of speech. However, the last 2 years I have focused on a single "action" verb each year. I know because in 2017 I logged over 200 "choose" blog entries. Sunday, I reread a "choose" entry on nearness of God as I was praying for others through Psalm 73. 2018's verb focus has been "consider" and I've learned in all my actions, it's important to "consider" Him first! (Hebrews 12:3) 

I might need to focus more on Him today as I seem to be  growing weary and losing heart, as the rest of the verse states. Lysa Terkeurst's Embraced, stated, "We run at a breakneck pace to try and achieve what God wants us to slow down enough to receive. (p.19)

Maybe I need to focus more on "to be" verbs ----verbs of being, not action.

Maybe for me, a compromise is needed---action verbs indicating a slower speed.

Amble. Linger. Relax. Soak. Be still. Bask. Be refreshed.

Pause before speaking.

Pause before seeking.


Slowing verbs might be just what I need. How about you?
.

FRIDAY FUNERAL

Funerals can be a celebration of a life well-lived. 

Such was today's funeral of 88 year old Lilly Laughlin!

Lilly, a woman whom I have called friend for 50 years, showed me throughout all those years that God was her refuge. Nearness "to her Lord" was evident to all who knew her as she told of His works and lived a life of faith and fun! 

"Her flesh and her heart may have failed but God was the strength of her heart and portion" up until she took her final breath and God received her in to glory. (Psalm 73:24, 26, 28) 

Lilly holding hydrangeas, from my daughter Molly's yard, is one of my favorite pictures. Plus, it's in a "Dotsy" frame.

Lilly did not hide her love of the Lord from her descendants; she told her girls and grands and most of us in attendance, many of whom have told their next generation (grands and great grands) of the "praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done," as it says in Psalm 78:4.

This "Friday Funeral" for one of God's faithful was indeed a celebration!

Our loss of sweet Lilly is heaven's gain! Glory be to God.

CONSIDER ASPECTS OF AGING

There seems to be a Walgreen's at every corner. You know, the corner of "happy and healthy. "

So....why is it the queue at the Walgreen's checkout seems to have many unsmiling folks with walkers, canes and sad eyes and an assistant who holds their arm! Many of these seniors, "keenagers" as FUMC in Hoptown calls them, seem to frequent the corner of sad/lonely & unhealthy, because of the life curves aging sends their way.

They get their red noses and red eyes from some of life's struggles, not from frequenting Walgreen's. (Although I do like Walgreen's premise of "Red Nose" Day to feed the hungry!)


Ministering to widows has given me a front row seat to aging. Unhealthy seems to show no partiality---not gender, not race, not religion and sometimes not even age. But when aging is one of the components of the affliction, one can use extra measures of grace---God's grace that is!

Many must make hard choices and changes in their latter years. So the key seems to be attitudinal.
God does not forsake us as we age and some of them cling to that truth!
Even when I'm old and gray (or glow in the dark white, DAL) as Psalm 73:23-24 reminds us.

Aging does bring many changes---some physical, some mental and many emotional, BUT GOD is in control and can aid us as we accept and then adapt. I know because I've seen it up close and personal in the lives of many of "my" widow friends.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Their lives have brought scriptural truth alive for me as I consider their lives.

Zumba "GOLD"

"Gold." We all know the true connotation of the euphemism "golden years." It is just an expression for _ _ _   _ _ _.  

GAC zumba classes are separated somewhat by abilities----but the participants in the “gold” zumba have several obvious characteristics. List below only includes today’s glaring differences.

• Wal-Mart matchi-matchi apparel out numbered UnderArmour 
• No mid-driff flesh visible
• FitBits worn by a few but not a single Apple Watch (What Medicare gal has the eyes or finger dexterity for that??) 
• Knee brace, ankle brace and wrist brace all seen, on the 2^nd row alone. 
• Uptown Funk blares, but it’s the “clean” version. 
• Toes tap to “all the right junk in all the right places….but the places are a lot closer to the floor than they once were. 
• More smiles than sweat---just making it through the door each week is a feat.

from a birthday card received a few years ago

When one is closer to the end of their life than the beginning, the truth of Psalm 73:26* resonates in a Zumba Gold room. It’s what keeps me going and smiling.

* My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

STRENGTH FOR THE WEARY

3/28/11 GLUED TO THE BED. That’s what my body has felt like these last few days. I’ve reset my alarm from 4:14 to 4:24 and now tomorrow it might well be 4:34. (I know the numbers are odd. Remember, I’m time compulsive.)

I’ve slept a lot in the car while sweet hubby drives Miss Dotsy. Friday night I tried to stretch out on the hospital bed in room 2019B. No rest there, I set off an “escape” alarm that was set for Daddy. Saturday I even slept on the workout platform in the therapy gym on the 2^nd floor at the Vandy Rehab Hospital. I just can’t seem to get my “energy” legs back.

God had answered my Job 4:4 prayer for Daddy that the Lord might “help(ed) the tottering to stand, And….strengthen(ed) feeble knees.” I’ve even prayed for His strength and might and praised Him to others for His provision. Yet, here I was battling fatigue again this morning. So………..more strength verses (KJV) for meditation. Hope you join me whether you need emotional or physical strength or you are praising Him for the strength He has already provided.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 57:10 "You were tired out by the length of your road, Yet you did not say, ' It is hopeless.' You found renewed strength, Therefore you did not faint.