Upper Room

10/9/10 Doing some catch up reading from The Upper Room devotional in order to keep “on the same page” with Daddy, I noticed several things. First, this little publication and my church, First Evangelical, are celebrating 75 years of existence. Both this guide and my church emphasize the importance of using prayer and Scripture for lectio devina. (sacred reading)---these aspects of time with the Lord which are intended to promote communion with Him.

Then I noticed a sub title, “Your Place to Meet God.” There are lots of places to “meet” God but I’ve found that for seeking His presence, it helps me to have that one special place that will remind me to commune with Him. Just seeing my place “draws” me.

Where do you meet God? One friend actually meets with the Lord in an upper room of her house. Another has a kneeling prayer bench. For the Mexican women of El Llano it was under a prayer scarf on their heads. My “upper room” is just a big old chair downstairs---but it works for me.

D2D--- this next week’s practical application (Dare to Dance) is to find your “upper room” and meet Him there. He’s already there---but a designated place could remind you to join Him.

Pithy with a PUNCH

10/4/10 How does one write the fewest words that say the most and have the greatest impact on the largest group of readers? Obviously, I, the wordy one, am not the one to answer that question.

Sarah Young has that ability. In her devotional book, Jesus Calling, her entries are concise and still true to scripture, with references included.
She writes about universal struggles---fear, pain, trust, etc. She also emphasizes gratitude and expressions of thankfulness to the Lord, regardless of the circumstances. Sarah writes from personal experience---straight from her Spirit-filled heart. Subsequently her entries encourage the reader to wait quietly in God’s presence that he/she might know Him, not just about Him. She does it with just a few choice words.

Oh, how those words speak differently to each reader. Same words. Different reception---depending on each reader’s own personal radar.

Ponder this passage from Psalm 119.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; 

do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart 

that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD; 

teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount 

all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes 

as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts 

and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; 

I will not neglect your word.

Assignment: Do a pithy rewrite of this scripture. (No more than 10-15 words.) Give it a punch so that you can remember the impressions the Lord gave to you as you meditated on it.

BTW, to all of you who have been on the same page with me, reading Jesus Calling daily throughout my cancer struggle, I would like you to join me in praying for Sarah as she struggles daily with vertigo and the aftermath of Lyme Disease. If you are led to pray certain scriptures for her or have been encouraged by Jesus Calling, let me know and I will pass it on to her. We need to let her know what a powerful punch her pithy prose has had on our lives----so much so that we’ve given that “little” book to family, friends worldwide, doctors and nurses whom we don’t even know, as well as leaving them in airports and hotel rooms as a way to bless the heart of a total stranger.

MAIZE MAZE

10/3/10 Pathways----often run in several directions. How does one choose the right path to take? Do you think it’s easy to follow a path, especially if you have directions and a map? If so, then you’ve not tried to navigate a corn maze with a 3-yr.old.

The cooler temps weather was perfect this weekend for a maize adventure with grandson, Owen. What I hadn’t counted on was how difficult it would be just to keep up with one who thought every adventure included running---though the rules specifically stated, ”No Running!” Being aware of the rules is one thing. Following those rules is another.

It also was easy to get turned around and make the same wrong turn more than once. We were lured by the shiny bridges and climbed over them, which seemed more enticing than going under them, even though the “duller” way was the right way.

Life paths are like that. It’s not always clear which path to take. Sometimes, even knowing the right way, one might choose wrongly because it looks like more fun. Scripture gives so many directions and instructions for taking the path that leads to wise living. The Bible can be a very clear map. Proverbs alone gives much wisdom---God’s guidance for life’s choices. Though not promises, they can help one choose the correct path for wise living.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Life might not be a maize maze but it is a confusing network of paths, some connecting and some dead ends---we need help navigating them. For some, help comes with a “Shug” (grandmother) to read the clues, help hold your hand as you climb the steep steps, pick you up and brush off the dust when you stumble and give you some cool refreshing water along the way.

Childhood Memories

10/2/10 What I remember most from childhood gives me a clue to what was important to me as a child. Then my remembrances give me insight into things that are probably going to be lasting memories for both my children and grandchildren.
I grew up playing with a Terri Lee doll whose clothes I bought hanging from a peg board type display at the top of the stairs in the 2nd floor toy department at Cayce-Yost. I didn’t have a lot of doll clothes, possibly due to economic constraints, and I remember the big deal of going shopping with Mother to buy a doll outfit or accessories. She probably guided my selections but I was the one to make the final choice for Terri Lee’s wardrobe. (BTW, Terri Lee wasn’t a personal name but the name given to all dolls in that line---long before Barbie was ever heard of) Outfits I chose were much like the ones I was wearing at that time---no elegant evening gowns or grown-up clothes would have even been offered.

I played with Terri Lee for years, hiding behind the big upright piano when most of my friends had “given up” playing with dolls. Yet, as special as the doll was to me, what was even more special was my mother collecting wooden crates from Dixon’s grocery and using the wood to make Terri Lee doll furniture and painting it pink, just for me.

Mother also subscribed to McCall’s magazine in the ‘50s and the biggest treat for me was the Betsy McCall paper doll page. Mother would cut them out for me with her special hair scissors and show me how to bend the tabs so they would stay on better. She also took the thin cardboard backing out of her hosiery packages and used it to cut out a Betsy-shaped figure. Gluing the paper Betsy on with her Sobo glue created a sturdier paper doll. Then we’d have a tea party with Betsy. My favorite cut-outs for her were the one from the weddings and the tea party. Maybe that’s where my love of a "cuppa" first started.

So what do these childhood memories say to me? It’s relational things that are important to kids. Not money, but time. It’s hearing them and guiding them and enjoying them. All that takes time.
To date, I only have grandsons so the doll memories are not shared (another grandbaby due in 8 weeks, so who knows) but the teatime is shared, along with the lesson that they, my grandsons, important. I love sharing part of who I am with them as they share what’s special to them with me. Who knows, maybe one day they will take their daughters (if girls are ever produced in our family) to tea at the Ritz and recount the days that they "took" tea with their "Shug."

NAW

9/30/10 N.A.W. Not A Wallflower. Though I might need a refresher course in Dance 101, I need to clarify a few things. First, I’m not a wallflower; I’m still in attenDANCE. Once a person has entered a relationship with Jesus, it’s permanent---a done deal. However, the more abundantly we choose to live with Him the more we “dance.”

As I said, I haven’t left the ballroom. I haven’t turned my back on Him. I’m not living outside His grace. (Some folks call that carnal living.)

I’m not NAW---hanging out on the edge of the wall as an onlooker but I do feel preoccupied with “stuff” rather than my partner.

Lately, I have even been trying to somewhat control the music (circumstances) of my “dance” with the Lord. (There’s an indicator of rationalization---“somewhat” control. Who am I kidding? One either controls or doesn’t. Sort of like a ½ truth is a whole lie.)

It seems that though I am still dancing and His hand holds mine, I am more at arms length, as if executing a turn. (Not sure if going into the turn or coming out of it.) Not a face-to-face position. Connected, but without intimacy. Guess who moved out of position?

Draw near to God and He will draw near (James 4:8 a)

Grammar 101

9/29/10 Are you ready for a grammar lesson? Ready or not, here it comes.
Today’s Jesus Calling entry said, “Walk with me in intimate love steps.” Last year underneath this entry, on my journal portion, I had written......Intimate love steps with Thee are all part of our “dance.”
Do you have intimate love steps in your “dance” with the Lord? This morning, I had to ask myself that very question. Then I asked if I were still allowing Him to lead in our “dance.”

So here’s the grammar lesson, as I understand it from years ago. “Were” in the ‘subjunctive mood’ in English, expresses an idea or a statement that is contrary to reality or the actual occurrence, regardless of subject, gender or number. “If I were a rich man,” if stated by me, is a perfect example, because I certainly am not rich on the US economic scale. That reality really brought me up short when I asked myself if He were leading me. Guess who, once again, was trying to take over the lead. God’s leading has not been my reality these last several days.
I have not only been making my plans but I have also been trying to direct the Lord toward “my” plans.

I think I’ll give up grammar 101 and concentrate on “Basic Dance.” Actually, I know the basics, I just need a little dance” remediation. Review. Practice. Folks in education all know the routine. I’m just glad the Lord didn’t put me in “time-out” to teach me a lesson.

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

Wise Words

9/27/10 Today meditate on the words of wisdom given during this past weekend’s wedding ceremony, which the pastor rightly dubbed a “service of worship.” His admonition to the young couple came from James 1:19----wise words for all of us.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Ask yourself as I have, “Am I quick to listen?”

“Am I slow to speak or am I just biding my time ‘til I can jump in with what I want to say?”

Wonderful Words

9/25/10 Pleasant temperatures. Grapevine arch. Attendants in chocolate colored dresses with bronzish cowboy boots. Guests transported to outdoor ceremony via a tractor drawn hay wagon. Pews created from hay bales covered with quilts. “Here Comes the Bride” played by a Bluegrass band. All the trappings of a wedding outdoors in the country just outside “Music City.”

Happily Ever After. Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it. But is it a “ring of truth”---from a magic wish. I think not.

Gratefully, the pastor at nephew, Cody & Sara’s wedding explained to them that love began with commitment and continued with unconditional requirements. You love when your partner is grumpy, if you just don’t feel like loving and you love especially when times are hard times. (As hard as it was for the flower girls to climb the hill with out losing their rose petals.)

I listened carefully for the vows, which they had written themselves and though they didn’t say “til death do us part,” they did say they would love only each other through all of their days.

As the preacher read Ephesians 4:26 “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” they nodded in agreement as the sun began to set, the kiss was given and they set off in their hay wagon to begin a marriage as one.

WEDDING WEEKEND

9/24/10 More details to follow----but I do know that I will be listening to the vows taken as two become one----Sara and Cody will become Mr. & Mrs. Cody Liles.
As yesterday's blog indicated, I have been pondering wedding vows a lot this past week. Having seen my parents for 60 years as a unit and then to see Daddy become a 1st person singular has been bittersweet. Sorry for loss but glad for what they had. Our entire family seemed to take on a new verb tense with Mother's death--- like living in the past tense. Yet there was comfort in remembering all the years they had together. That's what my parents marriage looked like----togetherness, "til death do us part."

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19)

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (Proverbs 31:28)

"In sickness...."

Mother & Daddy at Bobby & Louise's wedding---Dec. 1971



9/23/10 “In sickness” is just one phrase from most marriage vows but it is a BIG one to honor. I have seen it honored well these last several years. Personally I have experienced it as hubby nursed me through a year of cancer procedures and surgeries. Yet, with us, there was always a hope for a better tomorrow. Not so, for some folks----at least not physically. It’s those folks, honoring those vows, some taken long ago, who impress me. Sickness or debilitation can linger. There can be many days between onset and the end. Then, as the end approaches, time together becomes a sharing of the mechanics of dying.

As Mother was in her final chapter of life, I got a glimpse of 60th year wedding vows “fleshed out.” Sometimes I felt like Mother’s life “ride” was being steered toward the edge of a cliff. As she got closer and closer to the edge, I struggled. I didn’t want to let go of her. I had dreams---not being able to bear it, that soon she would ride in her earthly “life car” over that edge, fall off and crash into the abyss. In reality, I knew that she would really just enter into the Lord’s arms.

I went into denial. Brother Bobby stayed very much in the day-to- day happenings and tended to all her medical and financial affairs. Daddy, on the other hand, lived moment by moment with her in the midst of her sickness. They had moments. Hard moments of tending to bodily functions. Good moments of sharing a nap. I can still see them stretched out side-by-side on their old double bed---Mother under the covers, Daddy atop the covers, but holding hands.

The end is inevitable (for all of us) but as her end became more imminent, Daddy was the one who “did right by her.” He kept those vows and was there “in sickness” to help her entrance into heaven be as gentle as possible.

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18)

Molly's wedding, 2001------7 months before her death