BOX OF BLESSING!

Sometimes a gift box has its own blessing!

Looking forward to showing you the wisdom for me in this gift!

True wisdom is "rare" and comes from God's word!

God's Word.....a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

(Psalm 119:105)

Just 4 letters to help my short term memory focus! Not a random focus but one that is meant for me as a believer. Think "Believer's Apothecary" with a great acrostic.

Come back next Wordsmith Wednesday to see the gift that encourages me to continue to do small things that God leads me to do so they become great things In His name for His glory and my good as I have ways to serve others even if limited!

ALLITERATIVE MEDITATION!

OOPS--didn't finish my alliterative meditation in a timely manner to post this entry. Pretend it's still Monday. Nothing new to me---I'm often mixed up on what day it is!

Ad agencies use alliterations to sell products. PayPal. Best Buy. Bed Bath and Beyond.

English prof once told me that alliteration is a "fake literary form" and should not be included in any true work of literature.

Oh well---alliteration resonates with me when I try to recall many Biblical truths. Alliteration helps A.D.D.

Self-serving or Savior-serving? That's today's alliterative question after rereading yesterday's journal jottings. 

It's had me thinking all day. All are called to serve. (Galatians 5:13) Not all serve in the same way or place. But service is a by-product of loving others. Then, why do I, who love others, seem to be serving less and less, but feeling wearier & wearer? 

Some well-meaning folks are telling me I just need a "me" day. Frankly, my dear ones, I don't think so. I think I need a "Thee Day.

"More of Thee and less of me." 

Not alliterative but comparative as the appropriate answer.

"Lean on Lord Jesus"  is the alliterative answer!

Opportuni-TEAs

Each "day the good Lord gives us" (Daddy) is full of opportunities to be salt and light in this world.

As beloved "sheep" of the Great Shepherd, believers need to rise and shine and serve Him and others.

How does one know God's will in this time of much trouble, tragedies and  unrest in our world? Our country? Our state? Our city?

God's word holds the answer. (1Peter 2:13-17)

• Do good. (v. 15)
• Live as servants of God. (v. 16)
• Honor everyone.  (v. 16) "Honoring others involves maintaining respectful consideration." (Cole Huffman, 7/10/2016) 
• Love the brotherhood. (v. 17) 
• Fear God. (v. 17)

"Rise and Shine" and sip and savor a cuppa opportuni-TEA to glorify God and serve others----remembering that "Righteousness exalts a nation!" (Proverbs 14:34)

"Special-TEA"

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

All of us have our specialty (or speciality as the Brits (Princes) who are in Memphis for a weekend wedding would say). Those distinctive qualities are what make us unique. Art, music, even culinary expertise or physical prowess can set us apart from others, especially for those who fine tune these God-given traits.
In the spiritual realm, such aptitude takes on the term giftedness as the  characteristic is used to bless others.
A gift given by God, "fanned into flame" and passed on to others, often in the form of encouragement.
A God-given talent---a "special-TEA" to be served to others.

Not a recipient of the creative gift of "voice," I stand in awe of those who are---and even more so when they use this gift to serve the Lord. Such are the Phoenix ladies, mother Sally and daughter Michèle. who not only are blessed with this gift but share it with others. They minister around the world in any way needed---music, theater, culinary, MKs, writing, divorcee's, widows, other singles & ME!!

My only specialty, not exactly spiritual, but used to bless those who are, is to sniff out unusual "southern" food places and introduce their speciali-TEAS to others, who are not native to the region.

 Deep Fried Brownie Sundae at Puckett's Grocery
Blue Ribbon winner at the Southern Fried Festival
Yes, that's bacon on top.

Special-TEAS---we all have our own cuppa to pour out into the lives of others, especially those who are of the household of faith!

"Du-TEA" of the heart

....by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13, KJV)

Uptick seems to be the "buzz word" of the investment world. A transaction's improvement indicates an uptick. Stock market ratings measure it carefully.

Even in the field of education, it's all about the test scores known as value added assessment. Teachers are rated by the upticks of their students. If the teacher has done his duty, one should notice an uptick in those scores. Growth is the evidence.

What about one's spiritual duty? Can one's spiritual duty be rated on a spiritual scale. Can matters of the heart be rated by an uptick? 

Certainly serving others is an investment in relationship and a pretty clear indicator of spiritual growth.

Those who love the Lord, serve others----it's just part of the continuum. Spiritual matters of the heart don't feel like a cuppa du-TEA or an uptick to be scored. Merely Spirit-fed and Spirit-led overflows of the heart. Duties of the heart are just blessings to be shared. Investing in others counts whether anyone is measuring or not.

In the end, it's the ultimate uptick. An eternal investment.

Epitaph: inscribed on the heart

8/20/13
A recent “Best of Times” WKNO TV segment highlighted the life of Salvation Army brigadier, Gertrude Purdue, who died in May at the age of 104. The program listed many worthwhile accomplishments and her incredible energy, which was always directed toward serving others.

Yet, what stuck with me was her concluding quote. To me, a summary of her humility. It was the testimony of her life…..that little dash on her gravestone…..how she lived those 104 years.

I am a little pencil in the hand of a loving God who is writing a love letter to the world. (Gertrude Purdue, 1909-2013)

What a heartfelt inscription to remember. What an epitaph!

Research says….

8/10/13 Statistics show……Research indicates……Current research confirms…..

As an educator these phrases easily catch my attention. But also, as an educator, I’m skeptical because I understand that data can be manipulated or “read & interpreted” in order to substantiate what the researcher purports as truth.

Years ago a study that caught my attention claimed, “...family who plays together stays together.” Beyond that result, was the claim that the top activity under the “play” finding was camping. In other words, the camping aspect of play seemed to really seal the deal for keeping the family together. 

I liked that idea but…..after a week in the woods with 6 grands, the word “play” is a misnomer. Camping is work. Camping necessitates working together. Such work is probably just as valuable as the “fun.”  At least, that’s my experience.

This past week K-Love shared some “research findings” which experientially I have found to be true.  In a “Well Being” study, the research showed that well-being comes from doing for others. In others words “doing good” is better for you than feeling good.

Scripture calls it “one anothering”  in 30+ verses. 

Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13)

But if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. (1 John 4: 12)

Certainly God’s love in a person would enhance his/her well-being.

That research finding, based on truth of Scripture, rings true to me!

GRAMMAR LESSON FOR MEDITATION

4/23/12 First person singular

Grammatical person in nominative case English pronoun---tends to dominate the thought life of most Americans. 

CONVICTION!

What “I” want! What "I" desire! What “I” deserve! 1st person or the self. “I” is certainly the “person” easiest for folks to put FIRST.

But God….has shown me this week how that “self” focus is not God honoring or “other” honoring. sIn. prIde. “I” boldly occupies the middle of those 2 self-seeking words.

Meditate on these words from John as you seek to move self out of the limelight and focus on loving God and serving others.

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (1 John 3:17-18)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Yesterday, Cole’s sermon, along these same truths (Malachi 2:10-17), concluded with “the larger “I” gets in our lives, the less regard we have for God and others.”

End of lesson!

KNITTING IT FORWARD...a strand of service

 

1/25/12 Service has been popping up everywhere on my spiritual radar. The student ministry strategy at church this year is Seek God---Share Life---Serve Others. Hubby read last night's Allen Bible Church's NT2012 reading from John 13 and the example of Jesus "washing his disciples feet" 

was such an example of service over self. 

 

Last week I saw it up close and personal as a group gathered at Drenda's to knit dolls for the children who come to the Church Health Center. Spurred on by an article in the Commercial Appeal, they decided to use their talents to meet that need. Knitting for others is not foreign to this compassionate bunch. From preemie hats for a hospital and knit hats for needy school children along, with prayer shawls for folks like me, they just keep knitting it forward---in service to others.

It's had me asking myself, "What am I doing to serve others?" Can I do more? I want to serve the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:2) He's given the answer. I just need to pay it forward, even if my serving (knitting) is still in the "remedial" category.