ATTACK-A-STACK

"Plop and Drop" is not usually the best way to study God's words.

But....this past week as "State of Emergency" was declared by our President, I have been using a "stack and attack" method along with my regular quiet times of study and prayers.

During this time of isolation, recommended by the CDC to prevent spread of the coronavirus, hubby declared he had "tested positive" for boredom. Not wanting to give-in to that, I've been reading a different devotional each day---sometimes 2. It's amazing how my eyes have been opened to these familiar entries with new insight.

Have a look at what truths I have seen. Glean truth from them as you read my impressions (sometimes w/ emphasis) or read entire entry if you have that devotional book.

3/13~All to Jesus~We can trust Him with loose ends and unsolved problems ....He expects us to depend on HIm with life's outstanding problems. 

3/14~Streams in the Desert~Do not fear these unknown things, but be content to accept the things you cannot understand and to wait. (Exodus 20:21)

3/15~My Utmost for His Highest~ As they followed, they were afraid. (Mark 10:32)" When darkness of dismay comes, endure until it's over, because out of it will come that following of Jeuss which is unspeakable joy." 

3/16~God Calling~ "My children I am here beside you. Draw near in Spirit to me. Shut out the distractions of the World. In quietness and confidence will be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

3/17~St. Patrick's Prayer portions (Allen Bible)~I arise today with God's strength to pilot me; God's might to hold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me--Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,  Christ on my right. Christ on my left,  Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I rise....

3/18~Jesus Calling~ Don't get tangled up in...worry- webs. Trust me one day at a time. Do not be anxious about tomorrow,....Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble (Matthew 6:34) The next entry stated, "Let the Spirit change your mind , combing out tangles of deception."

3/19~Practically Holy~"Hope rises. ...live out the hope of the gospel even in the face of stress and loss, and grimness of this place. ...but I trust God. I choose to hope in God". (Colossians 1:22-23)

3/20~Edges of HIs Ways, I spent lots of time this morning meditating on passage from 2 Chronicles 7:10-16.  As I finished that time of meditation I picked-up Amy Carmichael' daily devotional notes. She began the March 20 entry with a question, "Have you ever noticed this? Whatever need or trouble you are in, there is always something to help you in your Bible, if only you go on reading till you come to the word God specially has for you." Carmichael continued, You will know it the minute you come to it, and it will rest your heart." The words I found this morning during my quiet time had done just that...."humble self, pray and seek God's face....He will hear from heaven and heal our land." 

It was as if I had received a God wink of affirmation for my "attack the stack" endeavor this week.                     

It's been fun trying a new way to "attack the stack" as a way of refocusing on the Lord anew each day!

CHOOSE: MAGNOLIA MONDAY

Magnolia Monday aka Quiet Time on the Patio sweetened with the scent of magnolia.

It's overcast. It's breezy. It's delightfully perfect for morning meditation.

Streams In the Desert (5/22) entry also spoke to my heart. Expounding on Psalm 37:5, with the Young's translation, "He worketh it" jumps out. In those words, "when we truly commit, or roll out of our hands into His; the burden of whatever kind it may be; a way of sorrow, of difficulty, of physical need or of anxiety for the conversion os some dear one." 

Once I have put it into His hands, even when I can't see results, I can trust that "He worketh."

Those words are a sweet aroma to my spirit as this magnolia is to my senses. 

So grateful I was able to choose this spot for my Monday morning meditation. 

Furnishing....

My Utmost For His Highest (5/10)--- Furnish your faith with resolution....(2 Peter 1:5, Moffat) started me thinking.
Son Buddy's recent sermon (Matthew 6:19-21) reminded me that I need to choose real treasure for "furnishing" both my home and my faith---a step up from "does it "spark joy" as Kondo espouses in her Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Today's Streams in the Desert entry added fodder to my faith flame. (All that alliteration is inspired by friend Bernie.) To walk the way of faith, we must "furnish" our faith life with training---training rooms filled with the trials of faith, the discipline of faith, the patience of faith and the courage of faith. All "life's furnishings" required before the final victory of faith. (Streams, May 12)
But where do I start?

Fan the Flame---"Start a Fire" lyrics say it well

You only need a spark
to start a whole blaze---
Start a fire in my soul,
Fan the flame
and make it grow---
It only takes a little faith.


Start a fire in me today O Lord---furnish my soul with all of Thee.

Self-served Servili-TEA: a bitter cuppa

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

1 Peter 4:10 states an important aspect of ministry. Serving one another.

Yet, a recent conversation had my ears opened to words that were missing....only to be found in the verse that followed. I just had to look for it in order to share it with others.

Have you ever been so tired that even your bones are weary? Fatigue seeps in and permeates your entire body.

Is your service so intense that it is cutting you off from God----God who is your resource as well as your reason for ministry. 

Have you ever been so busy caring for God's household that you have neglected your own time with Him---the One who called you into ministry? (1 Timothy 1:12) In hurrying and scurrying to feed others, both physically and spiritually, have you forgotten to feed yourself? 

Often, one knows when her fire needs to be rekindled. But sometimes that truth has to be shown by an outsider.

One who sees her sister's cuppa service has turned into a cuppa servili-TEA needs to share the following verse from1 Peter 4:11. 

If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised. 

"I can not explain exactly  how we are able to receiver the power to serve and to endure through communion with God, but I know it is a fact." (Streams in the Desert, 11/9)

In love, point out how servili-TEA, "an excessive willingness to serve," more easily happens when one is attempting to continue to minister in her own strength. Help her replace her cuppa servili-TEA with a refreshing cuppa of His minis-TEA-ry which is served with His strength.
Encourage her to sip quietly with Him as once again she feeds herself with His Word and His Presence, which will strengthen her anew for His service.

"Gra-mma-TEA-cally Correct"

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16, ESV)

Faith is a noun. But gems from today's Streams in the Desert entry (6/14) reminded me that true faith is supported and revealed by verbs.

Action verbs. Verbs expressing what can be done. Often, an outward manifestation of an inner belief.

If faith is the "subject" of one's life, then it is the "thing" that is doing the action. The one receiving the benefits of the action, is the object of said faith.

Faith...

• ...links one to a Holy God.
• ...clothes one with the power of Jehovah.
• ...insures one of God's attributes.
• ...defies the hosts of hell.
• ...cause one to triumph over enemies.

Faith allows and encourages the communication between us and God......the prayer road between soul and heaven. 

A single life of faith can reveal to someone in pursuit of God, the world's most powerful truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him. (John 14:6)

Faith honors God. God honors faith. (Streams, p. 233)

A gra-mma-TEA-cally correct cuppa is a complete cuppa faith that spills over and touches many others for Christ's sake and His glory. 

"Cul-TEA-vation"

That I may know Him....(Philippians 3:10, KJV)

What does one cultivate? 

Today's chat, with H2H friend Jan C, reminded me of all the "false assumptions" that our culture cultivates in our lives via the media. Think ads. 

What measures our success and achievements? 

Is our significance found in our bank account? 

Our satisfaction in $$? 

Our security in our 401K?

If one needs a shift in his thinking, he must rid his mind and his heart of false gods of our culture. Counterfeit gods seem to be ruling our thought life. We're listening to the wrong gods.

Ask self....What am I cul-TEA-vating in my life cuppa?

The reality of knowing Him comes from consistent devotion to personal Bible study and prayer. To know the One true God, one needs to persist in cultivating His presence. (Streams, 5/29)

"Perplexi-TEA"

They were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 
(Psalm 107:27-28, NASB)

At Wit's End---everything seems to be going wrong. 

Perplexed. Baffled. Beyond comprehension of my finite mind. An entangled state of mind.

Don't know which way to turn.

Wit's End Corner---not far from the intersection of "Bitter and Sweet"---turning in the right direction is crucial!

At Wit's End--where despair sets in.

At Wit's End--where self-pity camps out.

At Wit's End--where family problems gather.

At Wit's End--where health issues loom.

At Wit's End--where unavoidable circumstances of financial loss devastate

At Wit's End--where defeat seems certain.

At Wit's End--where we all have been.

Remember at "Wit's End Corner," is just where God's power & strength & love  is shown. (Antoinette Wilson, "Streams in the Desert" 5/23) Turn toward Him.

Ever been there? At Wit's End Corner? Of Course you have!

If you're there now, ask the Lord to rid you of your cuppa perplexi-TEA and re-direct your confusion. 

Return to the "corner of happy and healthy." (with apologies to Walgreens) 

Joyful in Him and spiritually well.

"passivi-TEA"

Their strength is to sit still. (Isaiah 30:7, KJV)

A cuppa "passivi-TEA." Sounds negative, doesn't it? Not necessarily.

"Inner stillness is an absolute necessity to truly knowing God," as was noted in yesterday's Streams in the Desert entry. (4/7) I understand those times when one's "entire being seems to throb with anxiety." Often, like the writer of Streams recounts, I, too, have to be aware of my helplessness in the midst of a crisis before I sit and listen for direction from that "still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12) For there in lies strength. His strength that comes as one is still before HIm. It's not just squelching or compressing the anxiety of the present overwhelming circumstance. A temporary quieting of tension might occur....but, that just represses it for eruption at a later time. An eruption that can "hurt" innocent by-standers. Believe me, I have experienced that more often than I want to admit. 

Therefore, passivity has a positive result. It's not laziness or apathy but a "living stillness born of trust." (Streams, 4/7) It might not involve the action of prayer or praise. Just being still before the throne of grace. Quieting one's spirit with an open heart. "Utter quietude of soul." 

'O rest in utter quietude of soul,
     Abandon words, leave prayer and praise awhile;
Let your whole being, hushed in His control,
     Learn the full meaning of His voice and smile.'
              (Mary Rowles Jarvis, Streams in the Desert, 4/7) 

A cuppa passivi-TEA is necessary before arising and going forth in one's day, thus assuring that the activi-TEA, that follows is God directed. 

A cuppa passivi-TEA leaves the "dregs of anxie-TEA at the bottom of the cup.

at-TEA-tude

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the WILDERNESS and streams in the wasteland.  (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

Do you not see it? One can "altitude their attitude" by looking up. Seeing the Lord afresh by refocusing on Him. Reclaiming one's faith, by taking God at His word is an action of an upward attitude.

A fresh brew left the dregs of yesterday's anxi-TEA behind as I opened, Streams in the Desert (1/4) and read a quote from George Mueller. 

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety."


Regret looks back.
Worry looks here, there and yon.
Faith looks up.

A new at-TEA-tude as I savored time with Thee.

Hopeful Meditation #3

12/9/13 Today's Streams in the Desert was "on the mark" for my season of struggle. Sadness continues to "catch me unawares." (a Hoptown phrase) Not only was a verse of encouragement provided but other thoughts for contemplation as well. Thoughts so appropriate for this Monday Meditation.

There is a compensation in every sorrow, and the sorrow is working out the compensation. It is the cry of the dear old hymn:

"Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me." 

.....weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)

There is a peace that cometh after sorrow,
Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled;
A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow,
But calmly on a tempest that it stilled.
A peace that lives not now in joy's excesses,
Nor in the happy life of love secure;
But in the unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of conflicts won while learning to endure. (Streams in the Desert, 12/9)

FAST PASSES---N/A

3/19/13 Fast Passes were available for us at all the "biggie" rides at Disney World last week. They enabled us to avoid waiting, to skip the unpleasantness of long lines, which are so undesirable when you have young children in tow. Too bad such passes aren't available for us as we navigate thru life. At least in our "human" thinking that seems desirable. But God.....is more concerned with our character than our comfort. 

Streams in the Desert's entry (3/19*) clearly points out the "necessity of waiting" in the spiritual realm.  

Many hours of waiting  were necessary to enrich
David's harp with song. And hours of waiting in the
wilderness will provide us with psalms of
"thanksgiving, and the sound of singing," (Isaiah 51:3)
The hearts of the discouraged here below will be lifted
and joy will be brought to our Father's heavenly home.

Waiting---whether in a line or in another unpleasant or hard discouraging place can be an "exercise" in dependence on Him.  Waiting and discomfort can increase both our capacity for "suffering" and sensitivities to others.

No fast passes needed---just Him.

*Thanks to JoLynn for the "Streams" rec this morn--
 On-line entry is 8/27 & underlines are mine.

Friday Findings

12/9/11 Noticing notes jotted all over my fading yellow legal pad, I decided to share some of my most recent "finds."

"written under the influence of grace"---that's my desire to write under His influence.

Nourish your soul with Bible reading. It will prepare a spiritual feast for you. (Augustine)

Prayer is union with God.....reconciles people to God, produces holy tears, forms a bridge over temptations, and acts as a buttress between us and afflictions. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 355)

Prayer is born of joy and gratitude. Prayer makes gentleness blossom in the heart. (?)

It is better to pray in the silence of the heart than to pray only with words, without the mind paying attention. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 367)

Many people want to direct God instead of surrendering themselves to be directed by Him. (Madame Guyon)

Order my steps in thy word: ... Direct my steps according to thy word: (Psalm 119:193)

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

...repentance is the gift of God. If you ever cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself. (My Utmost for His Highest, 12/7)

I never meant for you to be self sufficient. I crafted your longings and feelings of incompleteness to point you to me. (Jesus Calling, 12/8)

“God appoints people who do disappoint – to point to a God who never disappoints.” (Ann Voskamp 12/8)

Joy sometimes needs pain to give it birth. (Streams in the Desert, p. 457)

"Lean on Me"

9/12/11 Son Buddy would often sit at our piano and play (by ear) songs that we requested. Elnora always asked for "Lean on Me." Then she'd lean over and whisper, "I want him to play that at my funeral one day." It's not a spiritual song but often as Buddy's audience of one, she felt like it was just for her.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on."

We all need someone to lean on at certain times in our lives.
Today's (9/12) Streams in the Desert's entry speaks of a leaning side. Those sides of weakness when we especially need to trust the Lord "to extend His mighty arm" and steady us on our leaning (weak) side.
My leaning side is often in my understanding of how to discern His will/path for me in the "dailies" without "self" getting in the way. So....I need to be reminded to "lean" on HIm and not on self.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Verse 6 follows with the affirmation that if I do this, He will direct my paths. He does the hard part, I just have to "lean."

Lighthouse Learnings

8/24/11 Lots of info from the lighthouses we saw on our trip gave insight to their importance in days of old when navigational instruments were the the sky at night and the sun by day.

The captain was always looking up for heavenly light, especially when no earthly ones were available.
Streams in the Desert alluded to that in yesterday's entry. (8/23) But, it was the verse that caught my attention.

By faith, Abraham...obeyed and went even when he did not know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)

As I have been prayerfully trying to plot my "retirement course, I realize that I don't have a clue where I am going. I do sense "service" tugging at my heart but so far, I have no heavenly indication. Like the early captains I will just have to keep "looking up" as I sail along, try to avoid rocks and disasters along the way and continue to seek guidance from God's Son.

Simply Trust

7/13/11 "Simply trust Him"----that's all I have to do according to today's Streams in the Desert entry. Not always so simple for me. I have too many "ifs and buts." Questions of distrust too often flood my head. Trust. Not always so simple, is it?
Simple faith enables me to simply trust Him. I need to simply take God at His word for His "right hand sustains me." (Psa. 18:35, NIV) It's heresy for me to think that He doesn't have the strength to sustain my poor, pitiful helpless soul when I just read in His word that He not only has the strength but it's mine for the taking. I need to take Him at His word and simply trust.
Today I plan to do just that!

WORDLY WORRIES

2/6/10 Ice storms. Snow storms. Thunder storms. We have certainly been in a season of storms these last few weeks. Our sump pump has been “thumping” day and night. Our yard is still saturated from the most recent rain. Mommar, who is with us this weekend, really doesn’t like cold temps mixed in with soggy days. She’s longing for the sunshine. She wants to know if it’s ever coming. (She asks that question a lot.)

Just like our earthly weather, our lives have seasons of storms. We often wonder if they will ever end. Feeling “out of control," we began to worry. We lose hope for a better tomorrow. Many, I being chief among them, can begin worrying even before the storms come----approaching life with fear of what might happen tomorrow.

The sufferings of life are God’s winds. They are hurricanes taking us to higher levels…..when the storms of life appear, the atmosphere is changed, purified, filled with new life and part of heaven is brought down to earth. (Streams in the Desert, 2/4) Bring heavenly implications into your worldly worries.

The Israelites passed through the Red Sea and rejoiced. (Psalm 66:6) How many of us passing through a stormy season right now have already forgotten all the storms He has brought us through before? Focus on those times of seeing God’s goodness in the midst of the storm. Remember the relief and the rejoicing when you reached the other side. Remember that your hope is in Him. “I will only triumph in You once I have learned the radiance of the rain." (George Matheson) Find hope in the rain as well as the sunshine.

This past week I sent a card to a dear friend, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Dayspring said it well. “Hope dances in the puddles ‘til the sun comes out again.”

Just like the weather, we can’t control those “givens” in our lives. What we do when facing them is our part. Acceptance. Hope. “Worry not” in the midst of life’s storms. Just keep dancing “til the sun comes out. ☺

3M

11/9/09……… Monday’s meditation musings
“When He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything.” A Streams in the Desert entry that I read while in Dallas, encouraged the practice of being alone. Sometimes this involves dismissing the crowd just as Jesus did. (See Matt. 14:22.) Even well-meaning people can be a distraction when we’re trying to be alone with Him---seeking more of His dust. (“….until only Jesus was left with the woman still standing there.” John 8:8)

May our (my) soul yearn for, and practice that kind of solitude in times of meditation with Him. May we (I) practice dismissing the crowd. May we (I) “Be still and know”---He is God; (Psa. 46:10)

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us,
There is none to compare with You
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count

6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.

7 Then I said, "Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart."

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You know.

10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

11 You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
(Psalm 40:5-11)

May I practice Thy Presence today---within my practice of solitude---just Me and Thee---heart to heart, beating as one.

Prayer Place

10/5/09 Do you have a prayer place? Mine is a big chair in the corner of the living room. Out of the way and yet obvious, if you get my drift. It’s also beside a window that makes it perfect for seeing my cherry tree, that Josh gave me one Mother’s Day, as it changes with the seasons. Larry hauled the chair all the way from Charlene’s in Halls, TN for me because it was big enough that I could sit in it with my legs crossed under me. I also have a hand-sewn pillow whose fabric has bees embroidered on it----a reminder of Keeper of the Bees, a book loved by me and the two “dancers” in my life. It is also a perfect back support for my old back. The arms of this big old chair have been known to hold, all at once, 2-5 devotional books, a blue blog post-it pad, a box of Kleenix® for weeping Wednesdays (or just a drippy new nose and drooling new mouth) as well as a bowl of oatmeal.

Beside the chair is a decoupage red tray top table embellished with a fleur-de-lis like design that holds my “prizes”---a Bible, topped with my Metropolitan Museum of Art magnifying glass whose handle has carvings of Old Testament scenes, my Canterbury Cathedral mug that holds my assortment of pens, one is from The Cove and is a smooth writing kind with ink that seems to flow, a ballpoint duo which changes to a highlighter with just one turn, and my “extra sharp” sharpened pencils along with an assortment of highlighters differing in color---one comes with post-its in it allowing for page marking ease---and my ever present “Wite-Out.” Obviously not all folks understand my obsession with correctness but this self-professed “journaling junkie” prefers to tidy up mistakes, even in prayer journals. It is a malady that I am working on but have not quite conquered.
There’s also an assortment of perfect gifts on this small table ---a wonderful LUX fragrance candle with a silver cross accent, appropriately named Faith, handmade bookmarks, a MOTTAHEDEH dish that holds my Levenger plastic clips, assorted colored paper clips and sometimes my reading glasses, along with a National Trust leather coaster from Selworthy to hold my morning “cuppa.” The focal point of the table is a framed black and white picture of Daddy sitting in his rocker with his Bible opened and his Upper Room in his hand. The picture was a gift from brother, Buddy, and Charlotte and it is a treasure! The bottom of the table is anchored by my Mama Davenport’s family Bible and a “golf” watch fob that Larry hung there to assist this time compulsive lady who can sometimes let time slip away. Just to the side of this table is a wrought iron magazine rack (until I can afford a Canterbury style one) that is filled with folders of Allen Bible Church info, favorite verses, prayer portions, sermon notes, etc. It also holds a variety of old and new journals, and current reading materials---it really could use an overhaul at the moment.

The corner walls surround my prayer chair with other treasures/gifts. A hand- colored antique (300 years old) book plate, “Palma Dactylifera,” (Palm Sunday), two of Tony Williams antiquarian prints, one of Wells Cathedral and the other of remains of old Castle of Douglas, Larry’s grandmother’s family name. Tony and his wife, Liz, have provided housing for me on a couple of my England treks, from the coast to the most recent one in their Devon farmhouse. An iron cross with an antique patina and fleur-de-lis accents rounds out my prayer place.

So why Have I gone in to all this description of “my prayer place” which many of you have never seen? “My” place draws me! It awaits me! When I’m there, my mind and my spirit know why I’m there. Can you see why? Do you have such a place for prayer and meditation? If not, maybe now is the time to seek out such a place. Make it yours.

Streams in the Desert, (Oct.2) said, “In order to grow in grace we must spend a great deal of time in quiet solitude.” God Calling (Oct. 3) and yesterday’s “Upper Room” both cited the Psalm 46:10 verse.

“Be still and know that I am God;”

“God is the room I rest in.” (Thomas Merton)

Go now and find a place to think on these things.