ABCs addendum

11/9/11 Late posting---still mulling over some comments/responses from Wednesday's blog.
Said mulling took awhile and the original words I wrote listing more ABCs have now been set aside. Certain implications began to become clear through e-mail comments and discussions with others as we began to see the "self" agenda/focus (or ABCs) of our own lives. Interestingly enough, ideas that were first tossed around---All 'Bout C limbing, All 'Bout C arping, All 'Bout C hallenging, were about "others." More often than not, a relative. Hm-m-m why is a negative ABC so much easier to see in lives of other people???

All 'Bout C heap---my daughter labeled me with that one. I negated it by saying I was just frugal and that didn't start w/ "c" so that didn't count. Yet, with Molly's label, I realized that for those who know us best, their perceptions of irregularities of our own lives and our penchants for "self-serving" or rationalization can offer opportunity for spiritual growth---finding balance. I realized that whether I'm frugal or cheap, the nomenclature doesn't matter---it's the intent of my heart. Am I watching my $$ as a good steward of God-given resources? Or....am I showing a lack of trust in His on-going provision by padding my accounts, just in case? Is that an obstacle for the spiritual growth of my own children? More mulling began.

Then the biggie came to the surface. Too many of us were focusing on others. Negatively focusing. That was not the intent of the ABCs blog. The intent was for a little soul-searching for ourselves, not bashing others--- a reminder that the tenets our lives need to be All 'Bout C hrist. An e-mail from Margie Honor had me immediately seeing her as All 'Bout C ompassion! Christ was all about compassion, so her life would be one for me to emulate in that area. Mercy might not be my spiritual gift but it doesn't mean that I can't grow in that area. Look around for positve ABCs in others & commend them. Use their "glowing" ABCs to spur positive "growing" ABCs for yourself!

Are you seeing faults in others easier than taking inventory of your own ABCs? If so, take heed, lest you too shall fall.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

Those are my additional thoughts, what are yours?

ABCs---of one's life

11/8/11 ABC. Those three letters are often used to indicate the basics. The foundation. What are the ABCs of your life? All 'Bout C____? What's life mostly 'bout for you?
Asking myself this question, I realized that too often my ABCs for living are All 'Bout Convenience. I like ease and expediency. It influences many of my decisions. My errand list reflects this as I try to accomplish the most in the least amount of time while saving on gasoline. Even my grocery list reflects the ease I appreciate when systematically navigating the aisles from my "list." Lack of ease in said task results in extreme frustration when Kroger changes the aisles. How dare them cause me to have to backtrack. I can get testy! I can also be All 'Bout C ash! I like the sense of security knowing that there's $$ in the account to cover the expense.
Those are my basic failings. How 'bout you? What are your ABCs?

• Are you All 'Bout C uteness ? Are you in a panic to keep your wardrobe current, your weight lower, your teeth whiter and your wrinkles covered?
  
• Are you All 'Bout C liques ? Do you think your "social status" is improved if you are seen with the "right" people?
  
• Are you All 'Bout Coverups ? Do you worry if people knew the real you, that you wouldn't measure up---so you keep your distance.
  
• Are you All 'Bout C onsumerism ? Do you try to feed your deep felt needs with the latest and greatest gadget, home decor update or automobile?
  
• Are you All 'Bout C harts, calendars or computers ? Is "your" agenda on your Daytimer or in your Backberry or on your iCalendar with instant updates? Does achieving "YOUR" agenda rule your life?
  
• Are you All 'Bout C ontrol ? 'nuff said b/c others probably see it more readily than you do.

I could go on but now it's your turn. With some God-led soul searching, discover the basics of your own life rules. Fill in your own blanks. Ask yourself what others see as your basic tenets for living?
Maybe you'll discover truth from underneath the mire of self (your own ABCs)---that for Christians our ABCs should be All 'Bout C hrist ? He is foundational. By His grace all the other aspects of life for us will follow the basics of kindness, mercy, peace and love.

In Him we can live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

That's basic.

Kindness Kindled

11/7/11 Some things just lift me up---kindness of others, prayers of the saints, even fresh flowers. Yesterday's latest window ledge gift encompassed all three. The donor was a neighbor and wife of a retired pastor. She has a very full plate and yet she reached out to us. The cheery arrangement was in the small vase that I had once given to this "kind" one. That brought back memories of Mother. Mother never let a kindness go unreciprocated. She believed in giving back---returning in kind. Unrequited was not an adjective in her kindness vocabulary. More often than not, if an object was involved, her kind action had a way of including the same pan or vase or bowl in which original kindness had first been delivered. Kindness. It's certainly a godly attribute worthy of our thoughts today.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: BROOKLYN, NY

11/6/11 Sabbath snapshots are just my way of visually remembering times, usually from the previous week, that reflect the glory of God. Places of worship. Events and people who draw me to worship more fully. Snaps of God's creative wonder. How can one not see God every time they hold a newborn baby or step outside and open their eyes to all that He has created! My hope is that you will see God as I have seen Him this week.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1: 20)

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength...
Marion age 1 week New York Marathon Reminder to Pray for John Payne in Wheelchair division

Memorial PresbyterianFruit Galore: Inside and Out
7th ave. Flower market

5th Ave. Brooklyn
Walls of color
Farmer's Market/Prospect Park

"Unleashed" doggie time 8-9 am

NEW YORK! NEW YORK!

11/2/11 "Hooray! Hooray!! We're on our way.Our trip to"…. see our new grandbaby…. "starts today!" (That saying is a Liles family tradition.) Will post if and when I can but that’s not exactly top on my list. Can’t wait. So excited!

Meditation from the Heart of a "wannabe" Shepherd

I am grateful for the feeding, love and care which I receive from the one who is the Good Shepherd and who call His own sheep by name. (John 10:3)
May I in some small way begin to unfold the reality of a shepherd's life so that I might model it and touch others with the caring service that this truth teaches.

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. (I Peter 5:2, NLV)

Sabbath Snapshots: Way Up North

10/30/11 Baby Marion's grandparents from Massachusetts have had snow since Thursday which has impeded their trek to see their "brand new " grandaughter in Brooklyn. This morning they awakened to 27" more inches. Just had to show how different their Sunday was from those of us who live below the snow belt. And we thought our sunny 52° was cold this morning .

Grandma MJ shows her TRUE feelings!

Grandpa Doug actually broke the snow blower. Note fall foliage on trees in background. If there's this much snow in October, I can't even fathom a real winter storm!!!

Sabbath Snapshot: Memphis & Beyond

10/30/11 Bethesda Word of Life Christian Center---April 28, 2011 was flooded and under 4-5 feet of water for 25 days. Today's service was a coming together, a celebration of rejoicing in a new building.








Friends of the faith joined with old and new members who helped pull it up out of the muddy clay.
















Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

PARKWAY PICTURES IN MEMPHIS: A CANOPY OF COLOR

PUMPKIN "PUNKIN" IN NEW YORK

OCTOBER SKY IN TEXAS

OCTOBER 27, 2011

10/29/11 OCTOBER 27, 2011.....oh what a day! Little

"Lady" Liles entered the world at St. Luke's Roosevelt in Manhattan, (NYC) on her own time 6:25 pm EST (& of course, God's time) so doc did not have to induce!

Marion Lucille Liles
Weight: 6 lbs. 15 oz,
Height: 19 1/4 "
Parents: Megan and Josh Liles (May God grant wisdom and counsel in bringing up this special one. (Proverbs 2:6)
Proud first time "young" grandparents M.J. & Doug Bradley of MA Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, (Proverbs 17:6)
& Dotsy & Larry Liles, not first time, but first grandaughter

"For this child I (& lots of others) prayed"
(as Hannah spoke in I Samuel 1:27)
As a child may she not forget to do what is right and to share. (Hebrews 13:6) As a young lady may she be clothed in humility. (I Peter 5:5) May she follow after righteousness, faith, love and peace all of her days. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Daddy's pic of "Lady Liles" after her 1st bath.

Aunt Soozee's pic of "Sleeping Beauty."

GUEST READER/REPORTER, CAROL N.

10/26/11 Sweet friend, Carol Newman, has been a great one to bounce off of for reading ideas and interpretations as well as leading me to new "worthy" books. I trust her not to lead me astray so I am now in pursuit of The Rest of God, Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath for my "must read pile." She began with a quote from A. Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, who was quoting the author, Mark Buchanan.

"Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing...Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away."

Carol goes on to say................

This particular book of his, The Rest of God, Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, is also a very special reading experience. When I first read it, I thought of you. He concludes each chapter with a liturgy section. He describes liturgy as "a kind of choreography, a choreography for our dance with things unseen, things ancient and things anticipated, things above and things below." He goes on to say that the liturgy sections are meant to 'try to coax you onto the dance floor...even finding yourself, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, floating above the hard, cold floor of your workaday life, your feet barely touching." So, you see why it made me think of you. And his liturgy sections are not exactly what I would call liturgy, but application- questions- challenges to approach the next bit of time differently, getting onto the dance floor!

Now, with your retirement, hopefully you can put this on your reading list. It's about true rest of the soul, not just retirement from a job. It draws the dancing parallel that flows through your own writing. And he includes playing with our children (and grands) in the wonderful plan of restoring/refreshing our souls. Of course!!!!

Don't you love it!! I did. Carol should be blogging personal book reviews! I just had to share it with my readers, most of whom are just that---READERS!