RELAX! RECHARGE! RENEW!

Relax. Recharge. Renew.

3 Rs for the aging! Cannot be done alone! In His Presence is key!

Sarah Young (May 25) reminds readers the importance of turning from problems (ours) to Presence (His) Tangled thoughts with anxious knots get us no where....except maybe the ER!

Choose time in His Word. A creekside walk. A Porch "sit." 

Maybe even a nap to recharge one's body. 

A Word Search of "fear not" verses for a mind renewal. (Romans 12:2)

As for me, this week, I am camped out in the Psalms! 

FRIDAY FOCUS!

How does one keep his/her "balance" in life, both spiritual and physical?

Steps that are steady and sure are needed in the whirlwind of today's culture!

What is one to do?

Jesus has the answer.....He is the Answer!

 fix your eyes on me (Hebrews  2:12)

Enough said!

RETRO-FOCUS!

Retrofocus has only been a photography "lens" term that I never quite understood.This past week I have used it as a lens through which I revisited my past times with Sarah Young. 

Looking back has soothed my soul. A much needed balm. 

A signature. A picture. Texts. E-mails. A cuppa together.

Notes in my Jesus Calling journal & other journals as well.

No WOE with her, no matter how many opportunities for woe in her life, her focus was rarely there. Maybe a simple prayer request that I saw as a "biggie." Then a turn  to Words of Encouragement for me. 

She also gave me encouraging words to share with others during tough times, when I had no words.

At the crux of my MAC cancer journey in 2009, an 8:37 pm email offered comfort so I could sleep.

Helping me to hang my guilt away in a locked area of my mind.(Isaiah 61:10)

Modeling God's grace to replace remorse.

Teaching me time with Him is the best R & R! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Helping me focus. Refocus. And Refocus. (Repeat as often as it takes.)

Today I wished she were here with me, an SOS of sorts. 

I already know that she would remind me of the BEST SOS---when in distress, Seek Our Savior!  

I'll refocus with that sweet reminder from Sarah.

Message received yesterday from Sarah Young's family. 

It's like sadness to gladness and back again.

Here's part of my response---because when I don't know how to express deep emotions, I turn to God's Word.

John 7:38, my paraphrase

I am sure all the family would appreciate prayers for strength and comfort during this time....her husband, daughter and son and their spouses, and her 6 grandchildren.

Sarah Young, whose life was served a cuppa fragili-TEA and frail-TEA, sweetened it with a heaping spoonful of faith and trust in Jesus and poured it out to others as a cuppa mo-TEA-vation to re-vi-TEA-lize their faith in Jesus.

To God be the glory!

positivi-TEA: A FRIDAY FOCUS

Positivity---I'm not talking conjuring up thoughts as you unfold your body from a yoga bend or depend on your own might. I'm talking about a lifestyle as a Jesus follower which allows others to be encouraged as they see Christ in you.

Is it a mindset? I think of it as a discipline. A choice made easier for me to make as I'm in the presence of those who already practice positivity and allow it to spill over to me. 

Or chat and pray with me over a cuppa.....of positivi-TEA.

Pic from my cuppa file

Ten years and one week ago today, August 25, 2013, a cuppa positive-TEA happened in my life in a special way.

Friend and prayer warrior, Sarah Young served me tea. But.....she served me much more than that. 

We lingered. 

She listened. Sarah is good at that. 

She comforted. She encouraged.

She exuded positivity, tailored for me. 

She was radiant. She shared how to take refuge in Him, never omitting pains and struggles but sharing coping strategies in a way that blessed me beyond measure. 

Sarah has prayed daily for years for those who read her books. Many us have been blessed by her writings as she, being still before the LORD and seeking the truth from his Word, has shared with us. 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:4–5, 8)

This is a a positive, encouraging verse of peace, joy and hope for Sarah.

Won't you join me in praying it for herald her and her family? 

Positivi-TEA---a great cuppa shared.

**I received this message from Sarah's family.

Thank you for prayers. Sarah graduated to heaven yesterday at 5:31 and in the presence of Jesus. 

I sought the LORD

SIMPLY SAVOR!

Savoring! I'm not talking chocolate truffles here!

Tho, I have trouble enjoying just one without being overwhelmed by guilt.

I so easily wear guilt these days. It's like I can never do enough for the Lord and others. 

But God in His love and mercy continues to remind me that I need to let go of anxiety, guilt and busyness and lean in to Him. (Jesus Listens, August 29)

Fret not, Dots.(Psalm 37)

Relax. Enjoy the moment in His Presence! Have a truffle.

Savor the Savior!

BEHOLD!

BEHOLD! Behold has been My One Word for 2023! 

Until then, I had not given the word much thought. In my head I saw it in all caps followed by at least one exclamation point! BEHOLD!

Premier Christianity's definition was enlightening to me. 

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring.

Knowing Jesus noted 1527 occurrences of behold in 12 translations.

"Be sure to see" is the literal translation of the Greek word eido.

'Behold' is used 1,298 times in the King James version of the Bible. It is derived from the Greek word 'eido,' which has the literal translation of: be sure to see.

I had never really given the word much thought. But it actually appears in the scriptures about 500 times depending on the translation, so it’s probably worthy of a bit of consideration.

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring. https://www.premierchristianity.com/columnists/god-says-behold-1500-times-in-the-bible-heres-what-it-means/6136.article

For me, it's the personal aspect of God's Presence that is something to behold!

And behold I am with you always even until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20, ESV)

Sarah Young certainly shared the importance of peace in His Presence when she served me tea, 10 years ago today.

Today, O Lord may I BEHOLD! and focus on your Presence in my life. It does bring peace as Sarah knows first hand!

GOD'S WAY......STEEP PATHS INCLUDED!

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

Paths have descents as well as ascents. May faith never falter when the path becomes rocky and steep and our strength falters. 

Note Steep Path Signage. 

Don't miss warning signs in your own life.

Choose to walk, or even "dance" hand in hand, every step of the way with God along the path he has has planned for you.His plan is key--unique for you. Depend on that.

 

A path to love Him more and serve others well. (Titus 3:14)

May your (and my) ears continue to hear and follow, even if the trail is steep!

GRAPPLING WITH GRACE

Do you grapple with grace? Not the refinement of movement grace but the acceptance of unmerited goodwill grace. God given grace. Grace one doesn't have to work for or earn but......accept. Susan D. my discipler/mentor saw in me a works-centered struggle, like in no other of her acquaintances. Why do I work so hard for approval from others or God's approval? From God, it's a free gift. 

Sarah Young's words describe Jesus' garment of grace as a robe of His righteousness with which He covers us from head to toe.  (Jesus Listens, January 24, p. 25) The robe's color is blood red. The ultimate free gift of salvation for those who accept it.

Is that kind of grace in your vocabulary? What is your native tongue? More importantly what is your spiritual language?

GRACE

Be fluent in the language of grace. In today's culture grace is somewhat of a foreign language. Grace is the antithesis of our self-centered expressions.....whether communicating through words, gestures or actions. Allow others to see and hear your language of grace! (2 Corinthians 8:7)

BRACE FOR GRACE as you wait expectantly to see God's hand at work in those hard places life sends.

EMBRACE GRACE.....at every place.

Draw near with confidence at His THRONE OF GRACE! (Hebrews 4:16)

GET GRACE TO EXTEND GRACE!

GRAB GRACE.....don't let it pass you by because of guilt. 

PROPEL GRACE to others. (Jim Fleming, 1/23/22)

EXCEL IN GRACE & GRAPPLE NO MORE!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE NEW YEAR'S DAY....

......of course, at our house, New Year's Day looks virtually the same every year. 

All the Christmas decorations are down---that's a Gigi rule. (Mother)

Familiar.........from prayer chair with new devotional guides. 

Starting with...

Rose Parade.....Theme: Dream. Believe. Achieve.

I dream this: Rise. Shine. Read.

I believe this.....Jesus Teaches!

Greens, Blacked-eyed Peas & Cornbread

Jesus Listens for morning prayer and evening gratitude journal, Dear God, today I am thankful for.

From beginning to end, it's the way New Year's day is in this traditional Southern household!

LEAP DAY LOVE NOTE

Some things "bother me".  Having no devotional on February 29 is one of those.

Don't misunderstand me, I had my morning quiet time BUT the first devotional book I chose did NOT have a 2/29 entry. As I checked the copy right date I noticed it was not published in a leap year, so maybe that was the reason for the omission.  

As a somewhat OCD female, I like order and structure. So...... the absence of a day's devotional in my "2nd choice book" labeled, A Year of Devotionals had me a little off-kilter. Plus, it was published during 2012, a leap year, no less. In another of that author's books, he had stated, "There's Nothing wrong with devotional books, ---Ive written some myself---but they are to be supplements to our spiritual diet, NOT the main course." (Morgan p.60) I sense his absence of a 2/29 entry emphasizes that.

But God, who knows me well....had me look up and right on the table in front of me was my old favorite, Jesus Calling DayBrightener. As I flipped the card to today's devotional, there was February 29. How special for an OCD soul.

Plus, I was affirmed as Sarah Young's entry spoke right to my heart because earlier this morning, I had prayed for others to find the right pathway to love......and "My One Word" for the year is LISTEN. "Listen more to Me" leapt right off the page and into my heart. 

My today's love note reminder from the Lord.

WOWS FOR WEDNESDAY!

WOWS = Week of Word Study. So....I had to share it today.

Jesus Always entry for wordsmith Doris' birthday (5/9) really had me considering parts of speech, in particular prepositions.

Prepositions express a relation to another word (usually a noun or pronoun)  For me, the noun/pronoun subject relation was Jesus Christ, by whose blood I am redeemed. 

• With Him, I can be honest. (Proverbs 30:5)
• I can be confident in Him. (2 Corinthians 3:4)
• I can lean on Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• I can connect with Him through prayer anytime, anyplace. (Joshua 1:9)
• I can always trust in Him. (Psalm 9:10, 20:7)

For all of  His blessings, I say WOW! You are my God. (Psalm 31:14)

tenDANCE---NEW WORD, NEW DANCE

Tendance is a word in and of itself. Who knew? Not I.

At least not until this morning.

 Here's what I found---

Definitions of tendance

n. - The act of attending or waiting; attendance. ²
n. - Persons in attendance; attendants.

Waiting jumped off the page and into my psyche. Visions of a "waiting room" loomed.

No one was dancing for sure as waiting is difficult even if it's God's waiting room. For us, this week has had people "waiting" with us. Prayerfully in "attendance" from coast to coast and across the "big pond, " they call and text and encourage.

Sarah Young's reminder in Jesus Always March 4 entry was so timely!!!

• Blessed are his who wait for the Lord. (Isaiah 30:18)
• Waiting patiently does not come easily but can be good for us.
• Those who obediently wait can build up equity for not-yet blessings.
• The waiting process can be beneficial. 
• Waiting keeps your "soul on tiptoes" as you look up to Me in hope! (emphasis mine)
• Acknowledge the One who is in control and rest in His goodness.

May all of us in this "adoption" waiting room put on our "dancing" shoes and allow Him to lead us in our tenDANCE that we might glorify Him as we wait!

CHOOSE: SEEING

This entry could have easily have been entitled, Choosing Joy Again!

Interestingly enough, finding joy was Jesus Always entry for 2/17----the day I began choosing "my one word." No wonder my first thought was that "joy" would be my word. Sarah Young's latest devotional book, Jesus Always is all about embracing joy!

Young reminds readers that "joy can be found in the most unexpected places." 

One just needs to search for the "good" in life---to "see" joy. As she puts it, "Living joyously is a choice...and gladness must be chosen many times daily." (2/17)

Choose is my word because I want to keep on choosing "right living" as Proverbs shows.

Choosing is about seeing God's hand in our lives and trusting the outcome regardless of our trials and most difficult times.

Seeing His goodness requires focus. Focus requires "fixing one's eyes on Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2) Seeing Him. Regardless.

It's a choice!

Mind Minder

Scripture is a great "minder" for the mind. 

Mama Davenport often used the word "mind"as a verb----in the imperative form.

"Mind" the cracks so you don't trip, she would say. Her intent was for one to be careful about something or pay attention to it.

On the old British TV series, "Keeping Up Appearances," Hyacinth Bucket (snobbishly, she pronounced it Bouquet) was always nagging her husband, as he drove her around, to "mind the pedestrian." "Watch out for "was her meaning for "mind."

So....for me, a mind minder is one who pays attention to their mind as if to watch out for it. In capturing thoughts, that can be a positive. If it becomes "worry/anxiety," one needs to turn it over to the Lord. Just yesterday in my Jesus Calling devotional,  I had read about "pockets of darkness" and thought that was an apt description of my mind.

After writing yesterday's Dotsy Details' blog entry, I flipped the page on my kitchen table Jesus Calling DayBrightener to the day's entry (6/10) & read:

"Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen..."

What a great reminder to rest in Him and allow Him to "mind" my mind.

I give my mind to Him and He becomes my "mind minder."

MINDFUL!

Are you mindful of what your mind is full of?

Yesterday's Jesus Calling, 4/22, spoke of the need for freedom from compulsive planning---OOPS!! "When your mind spins with a multitude of thoughts, you cannot hear My voice." (Oh my, I think Sarah Young's been reading my mind!)

The previous (4/21) entry identified "...your mind is the last bastion of rebellion." 

I certainly need to relinquish "control of my mind" to the Lord because I'm certainly doing a lousy job of it. Sarah's scripture citation supported the positive result--peace.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Who wouldn't want to reap a mind full of peace by being mindful of Him first!

**Should have posted this yesterday....but finding it in my drafts, today, I just changed a few adverbs that needed changing. I thought I was through with this "mindful" message!
But God .....showed me this morning, a "new to me" scripture* which I have embraced for today and hopefully days ahead! He defined for me a faint spirit.
A faint spirit would include all of the "if only" regrets, "what if" fears and whys of life of a compulsive planner, who works so hard to plan life so that he/she can "help God"---by serving others. People, with a faint spirit, (think, in one's own strength) lose courage, become despondent and can burn out.

Today, may I wear "a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit." (*Isaiah 61:5)
How's that for a "mind full" of being mindful of Him through praise!

GLORY-GIFTS

Glory-gifts---a Sarah Young term for love, peace and joy. (Jesus Calling, April 5)

Along with Sunday's emphasis on God's glorious gifts of grace, love and fellowship from the benediction to the Corinthians, I considered His surrounding glory seen in creation.
I thought of all the glory of His nature around our 901 town---urban parks, Mississippi River sunsets, azaleas, cherry trees, dogwood and even the invasive wisteria!

Enjoy a glory-gift from my camera----look up and gaze on the glory of the wisteria!
Wisteria covered silos----God's glory-gift to me every spring as I drive to church---it fills me with peace and love as I begin the day in fellowship!

Tea With Thee aka PB&J

Thanks to Kristen T. for a *new perspective, encouraging me in searching Scripture (Acts:17:11) praying for me, praying with me and on Thursday serving me tea.

Times with the Lord for me are usually accompanied by a cup of tea. Location rarely varies. Times can vary. Accoutrements vary. (different tea blends, different Bible translations, different journal, different devotional books, different colored pens)

But.....Kristen *cuts to the chase with her simple PB & J. Sarah Young espouses the same simplicity, which she used when writing Jesus Calling.

P (pen) B (Bible) & J (journal) So simple. So palatable.

A daily P B & J----it's good for the soul. I'll take mine with a cup of tea, please. 

"Spot On"

Sometimes a devotional entry will be "spot on"----a full spotlight shining on me and my shortcomings, needs, frustrations, desires, etc. 

Last Wednesday (7/31) on a patio in Texas, my on-line entry of Jesus Calling---with words used by Sarah Young---got my attention.

Frustrated.

Frazzled.

Upset with self. 

People know me to say, "It's so hard being me." How that must sadden God's heart----my low opinion of myself. My self-deprecating humanness.

Since then, I have been meditating a good bit on one of the the scripture passages for that day, John 20:19. I've practiced being still enough to hear the resurrection blessing, "Peace be with you." 
Peace from God, available to me through Christ----I just need to appropriate it into my life.

Then, yesterday's sermon gave me more points to ponder. I recognized the one who destroys my peace and the One who not only grants me peace but assures it as He calls me by my name.

Satan knows my name but calls me by my struggle. (Oh how I fall into that "shame" so easily.) But God knows my struggle, yet He calls me by my name. (John 10:13)

"Spot on" devotional followed up by a "spot on" quote!

Thrust of Trust

This summer has been a time of transition, concerns and difficult decisions for many of my dear ones, both friends and family: Farming friends rushing to get hay in before the rains; Special needs births, both here and in Mexico; A distressing cancer diagnosis for a young mom; Joblessness; A child's poor decision resulting in life altering consequences; Housing needs/renting/ selling/buying; Impending surgeries; School needs for children when money is lacking; Marital disappointment/discord, here and abroad; Ministry decisions; End of life approach for one's sibling. 

Today's Jesus Calling (7/15) once again speaks to me right where I am in my concern as I seek to pray for these difficulties. Sarah Young writes" "Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust,"

Do you, too, need a thrust of trust? If so, here's a trove of my favorite "trust" verses to help you in your thrusting.

• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
• But I trust in your unfailing love; (Psalm 13:5a) 
• Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
• But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."(Psalm 31:14)
• O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (Psalm 84:12)
• Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Keep on thrusting; It increases trusting.