R 'n R

Alliteration appeals to me. Alliteration stays a tad longer in my memory!

Refreshing blog entry.

R&R =Retreat blog entry.

So......it is no surprise that this reflective image caught my eve.

Repenting and refreshing go hand-in-hand but notice which comes first!

Words that truly "reflect" the One who refreshes. Refreshing, tho conditional, is readily available

R-E-F-R-E-S-H-I-N-G!

God winks or C(Christ) O(Ordainded incidences are so encouraging. Two at once pack a powerful punch.

Two Monday gifts---what a way to start a week! God affirmed me through these gifts, from 2 different members of the household of faith. A card and a book with "refreshing" references. Affirmation that my lesson on rest and refreshment is on target!

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25, NIV) Generous people shall be rich, by watering others they water themselves, (Proverbs 11:25, TLB)

Regardless of how you say it, I was refreshed. 

May I, in turn, go forth with R-E-F-R-E-S-H-I-N-G words for those whom I prepare to serve.

Palatable RX

Some medical diagnoses and prescriptions are easier to "swallow" than others. This is certainly true in the physical realm. 

Last week's diagnosis of a frozen shoulder didn't sound so bad when the RX was coupled with physical therapy and NOT a cortisone shot or surgery. Hard work. Exercise. I'm willing to do that to accomplish healing and restoration of the weak/atrophied area. 

But....the question is, how did I get to this point? 

Was the gradual physical decline so gradual that I overlooked it? 

Was my loss of effectiveness due to underuse or neglect? (Romans 12:11)

The same questions could be asked about weaknesses in my spiritual life?
Does something major have to occur to get my attention?
Am I allowing neglect in my spiritual life to give way to greater "threats."

Time in God's word. Intimate time with the Lord. Both are a palatable RX for refreshment and restoration.

Pause that refreshes.....

3/22/12 Loved those little 6oz. bottled cokes Mother kept in the back room refrigerator. Even after they were no longer “available”, Daddy was able to get them from an old grocery store down in Guthrie, KY. Not sure where the grocer acquired his stash. As Daddy said, “the pause that refreshes” was better ice cold and straight out of the bottle. Sitting with Daddy on our back porch step with those cold Cokes in hand were certainly refreshing times for me.

Note blank space under cross on left page & 3/8 date in bottom right corner.

These past weeks I have been given “spiritual pause"

Bonhoffer’s book*, 2012 has been my designated “Praying the Psalms” year. March 8, in Texas, using Day’s grandmother’s old Revised Standard Version Bible, I spent time meditating and journaling on Psalm 62. Notations included, “a song of trust” which had me questioning my life songs. My God songs? My trust? 

Sunday, (3/18) I read the Bible verse entry for the Upper Room (once again) Psalm 62:5, 8. “For God alone my soul waits in silence,….. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (NRSV) More time needed to pour out my heart in song and prayer before Him.

 

Yesterday morning 3/21 Jesus Calling’s first line, “Trust Me and don’t be afraid for I am your Strength and Song,” and concluding with …join Me in singing My Song.” All of that meditation on Psalm 62, a psalm /song of trust, flooded my mind. What was God trying to tell me? I “paused” for more time with Him. A time of spiritual refreshment.

Last night at Heart to Heart Bible study, Crickett, our teaching leader, taught “5 Reasons to Cling to the Rock,” from Psalm 62: 5-8, a part of our Day 3 (3/17) lesson.

5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]

Since my purple journal was in my book bag, I just opened to my notes and there on the left hand page was the perfect space** to incorporate her lecture notes summarizing David’s view of God as His ROCK. It was David’s song of trust. Once again God was helping me learn it.

All of this is probably only significant to me……but God…….continues to meet me at my point of need on trust issues. He’s putting a new song in my mouth and He’s doing it through Psalm 62. He’s doing it as I spend time with Him. He’s giving me a “refresher” course in trust.

“For God alone, My soul waits in silence”(RSV)…………the pause that truly refreshes.

*Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

**Grateful I had taken picture of journal before lecture---an affirmation of "but God"…..meeting my needs ahead of time.

He is the REASON

1/4/10

The

"R"s

of a

New Year's Spiritual Resolution

Remember

Refresh

Remain

Restore

Revive

Rejoice

Renew

Return

Rely

Source: e-mail from CMF