LIGHT!

Today we head to The Cove with neighbors John and Vicki for a Light FM dinner! May the LIGHT of God's Presence fill my mind today as we prepare to go.

Allow God's word to lead to the light needed.

Looking lightheartedly at the worries that flood my mind....I can walk through the day with lighter steps. The LORD will be my light. (Micah 7:8, emphasis mine)

Do not lose heart. See troubles as light and momentary.

Walk in the light and be a light for others!

PEACE NEEDED

Peace is always needed for a healthy life but it seems to be needed even more as Christmas approaches. And so I pray---peace for others!

(Picture hanging in Chatios Memorial Chapel, The Cove 2013)

Today I prayed Numbers 6:26 for a squad of others!

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (ESV)

For more meditating on that one verse, consider the AMP version.

The LORD lift up His countenance (face) 

upon you (with divine approval, 

And give you peace (a tranquil heart and life)

Peace, offered from God's Word,  feels good no matter which version you consider.

Meditation: Visual Aid

9/16/13 A visit last fall to the Chatlos Memorial Chapel at The Cove in North Carolina, aka Billy Graham Training Center provided me with the "visual"aid for today's Monday Meditation. This verse is one I often pray or my "daily" folks so.....I thought a little more insight, via meditation, would be helpful. 

God's grace. God's countenance. God's Peace. Word pictures can also be visual aids as we meditate.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: A MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE

11/11/12 These pics will probably speak for themselves of the beauty of His creation and the importance of worshipping together with those in "the household of faith."

Lake Junaluska, NC---Carolyn Ferrell will recognize---from ? (1963, CMF)

Memorial Chapel at UMC Conference and Retreat Center at Lake Junaluska

Pilgrim Inn at Billy Graham Training Center at "The Cove" in Ashville, NC

The Chatlos Memorial Chapel at The Cove---a mountain sanctuary nestled under a canopy of colorful autumn trees with antique pews from the Royal London Society for the Blind, and chandeliers of handcrafted wrought iron

Drawn to kneel in prayer as I "lifted mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

"In pursuit...."

11/8/12  Walking out the door to join dear friend and prayer buddy, JoLynn (& later w/ Wynellen ) as we begin our long awaited trip to "The Cove." (Billy Graham Training Institue in Asheville, North Carolina) We are attending an Anne Graham Lotz seminar to "discover an intensely personal relationship with the God who is wholeheartedly pursuing more of you."

Isn't that comforting---when we're in pursuit of more of Him, we realize He is whole (not 1/2) heartedly pursuing us. 

Will be in pursuit of "hot spots" while there in order to share all that God shows me----or not, it will depend on His leading. I might just spend lots of time with Him "lifting up mine eyes unto the hills." All who know me know I am a mountain girl and I love those mountains of North Carolina!

Would appreciate "in pursuit " prayers from all my readers.

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCES

1/30/12 Remembering my 2004 "mountaintop experience" at The Cove continues to draw me. Oh, how sweet are those mountaintop memories. I want to to return. I want to experience anew that rich experience I had as I encountered God afresh during my stay there. Yet, I know that it's down here, in good ole Memphis, where my life meets reality. Sometimes brutal reality. Admittedly, the glow of a life-changing experience can seem preferable to suffering, but God can meet us at our point of need.

Therefore, I need to continue in His Presence right here where "the rubber meets the road." Where the truth of my faith is fleshed out daily.  In the ordinary---in the mundane--- in the daily grind, even in the pain, I can find Him. His power is as real down here on the meager bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi as it was in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.

Like Peter in Matthew 17, it's easy for me to want to stay on that mountaintop---secure in the shelter of His love and majesty. 

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Peter was even willing to build a shelter for each of them. They couldn't stay there (v.9) and I can't either. Neither can you.

But God ....is allowing me to return, albeit briefly. I received my confirmation today. 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

1/17/12 That's it----that's just what I want. His voice of direction. If I can't hear it, then I'd like to see it---something I can't miss! (My quote from yesterday's blog.)

Mail left on my kitchen table yesterday afternoon. A 2012 program booklet from the Billy Graham Training Center. (The Cove)
Can you hear me now, Dotsy?

My answer---As if on auto-pilot, I turned to Anne Graham Lotz seminar for next November.
I registered. Wouldn't you?

When reading the description, I stood amazed----actually, I had to sit down. "If we want to hear more of His voice....."

Could it be any clearer? Could it be any louder?

I think I can hear Him now.

Front porch sittin’

8/22/10 I need some good ole fashion front porch sittin'---that’s “southernspeak” for a retreat, or at least a break from the hurried/hectic life. I know that I’ve just had the summer off. (I’m reading those thoughts of readers who don’t get summer vacations.) But…..this summer has been the busiest that I can remember.
I’ve “retreated” before around town at the cloistered home of the Poor Clare nuns, St. Clare Monastery ,near Frayser and St. Columba Episcopal Retreat Center in Bartlett. I’ve even ventured eastward and attended vespers with friend Maureen (now deceased) at the St. Joseph's Abbey in MA, home of 80 Trappist monks, and spent a glorious fall weekend with JoLynn at The Cove. (Billy Graham Training Center) I now have the Abbey of Gethsemani, in KY on my bucket list, as a place for an unstructured silent retreat. A stretch for me to be sure, but one I yearn to try---just me and my Bible in the presence of the Lord, for His teachings.

Right now I don’t have the time or money for retreats---but as a girl who grew up front porch sittin’ on white painted gliders on South Virginia Street, watching life move as slowly as the people talked, I’m gonna carve out some front porch-type sittin’. I’ll just turn the phone off and sit in my prayer chair in my air-conditioned living room with my Bible and a front porch sittin’ attitude.

I think Jesus called it a closet.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)