UNRECOGNIZABLE

11/1/13 Unrecognizable.....at least to most folks. When the masks are on, people don't knew what really lies underneath. Masks can make one feel safe. 

Only when the masks are removed can the "real" person be seen. So why is it so hard sometimes to take off the masks, especially in Christian circles. Inferiority. Shame. Fear.

Yet to those who truly know and accept them, warts and all, the person underneath those layers is visible and loved, regardless. Masked or unmasked.

God loves all His children in that way, even when our potential for goodness is unrecognizable by others. Masked or unmasked---just loved.

5 little (& not so little) Texans, recognized and loved by this grandmother.

"Star of the Week"

10/31/13 For a kindergartener, it's the best week EVER! "Star of the Week!"
A special SOTW bag for your chair. Pictures from your whole life (5+ years worth) on a big poster for all to see. Family can join you for lunch. Parents can come and read a story to the class.  Can "stump" the class during Show and Tell with the rhyming "brag bag." Ah-h the thrills of childhood stardom

"Officer Buckle and Gloria," one of "star" Owen's favorite books

Sufficient unto the day….

10/29/13 Study Notes & Marginalia

Worry = unnecessary anxiety----Worry happens when we lose sight of our loving Father’s care. Worry is lack of trust in God’s care. (Cathy Crowe)

Anxiety=afraid of what might happen. (Wayne Smith)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; worry empties today of its strength. (C. Crowe)

So don't waste your moments or your hours. Trust God!

Sufficient unto the day----our troubles and worries.   

But God….is the all Sufficient One.

Pick your Version

10/28/13 Meditating on scripture can bring a depth of understanding. Sometimes just reading a different translation of the same verse or passage can shed new light.

This weeks meditation came from my Atlanta friend, Katherine, who said she was praying this verse, Psalm 143:8, for me. What a blessing. What a verse. What a wealth of legitimate translations. /what a blessing to pass on as I have prayed this for others who are facing decisions and desiring God's good and perfect will in their choices. 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (NIV)

Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. (CEV)

Hurry with your answer, God!
    I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!
    That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
    I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
    I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—
    you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,
    because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
    into cleared and level pastureland. (Message, in context)

Pick your version and allow God to show you the truth He has just for you.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "TWO"

10/27/13 Guess who turns two today? LUCY!!!!! A 2 year old who loves dinosaurs and can fluently "read" a book with no text----yet, with understanding and appropriate voice inflections.

Jesus---Active Verb Tense of Life

10/16/13  Recently seeing the Spanish for John 1:1, I was struck that the Spanish for word is verb. Though I don't speak Spanish, past ¡hola!---that translation spoke volumes to me. (La Biblia de las Américas) 

He who is the Word, is also the verb. I know it's in a much broader sense and allows a little license with grammar usage..... BUT, it speaks to me! His continuous action in the lives of believers.

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Juan 1

EN el principio era el Verbo, Dios y el Verbo era con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios

 In the verb tenses of life, Jesus has always been, is ever present and will always be. 

Past. Present. Future.

D-Day

10/24/13  Fortified with chocolate and tea, I go forth in my day. 

Is any of that spiritual? NO! 

Is it healthy? NO! 

Does it make me feel better? Yes, at least a little bit around the edges. Sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do.....tea & chocolate!

But God.....I have also prayed Proverbs 3: 5-6 as I seek God's direction for some important decisions.

Even Dove Chocolate gave me a reminder....
"Happiness is in the heart, not in our circumstances."

Armed with verses, from "astute" Aggie in France, I head out the door.....for D-Day, my day of reckoning.

Psa. 27:1 Isa. 26:3. Psa. 112:7-8 Psa. 56:3. Psa. 27:5,6 I Pet. 5:10-11.

GOD'S LIGHT without the GLARE

10/23/13 Prepping for my upcoming “Heart To Heart” Bible study lesson, I have become so aware of the need to “sit in the light.”  The light of the Presence of the Lord. This requires the disciplines of solitude, silence, listening and meditation. I’m convicted that I need to SLOW down my life in order to do this. Distractions, even good ones, need to be tempered.

Full Hunter's Moon

Last week (10/18/13) this difficulty was evident in a somewhat ordinary real life situation. There was a glorious moon out and I wanted a full view of this incredible FULL moon. But…..the glare of the streetlight obscured my view.

A glaring, harsh light distracted me from seeing God’s light of the night. It reminded me of the distractions I was facing each day as I tried to seek ”light” from His word. Sometimes the busyness and distractions of the world seem blinding, inescapable even, especially when I’m trying to seek the One who is the “Light.”

A change of direction was needed. I had to take action. In my study time I had to disconnect from the strong overwhelming pull of the blinking light of all my electronic devices and even my old land-line. Just like I had done the night of the Hunter’s Moon.*

That night I had to go to the back yard where it was not only dark but also quiet in order to see and fully appreciate the splendor of that moon. No Glare. Distractions removed. View accomplished. Wowed by God’s handiwork!

* The next morning as I went out to get the newspaper, the moon, though not as brilliant, was still very much in view because the streetlights had faded.
God's light without the glare.

"LIGHT." "Camera." "SMILE."

10/22/13

Armed with only a Canon point and shoot, I take a picture that makes me smile.

Yet, photographer Molly, searches out the light because “Light in photography" is everything, according to her. Always embrace the light. She uses her eye to do that but her “eye” is supported by her textbooks and course manuals that taught her “light meters read and photographers interpret.” Light can actually stir the soul.

Philosophically, all of that photography jargon seems analogous with the theology of those who see Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. (John 8:12) The important Light. The Light that gave definition to creation (Genesis 1:3) and stirs the soul. Knowing the One who is Light is everything to a Christian.

Sometimes just seeing light captured in creation reminds me of the One who created that light... 

…..and I simply smile.

TONGUES FLAPPING

10/21/13

“…tongues flapping in the breath. “ Like flags flapping in the wind, they “snap.”

Does your tongue have a “bite” to it? Maybe, like a horse, it needs a bit to rein it in. 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

“I probably shouldn’t say this….”              Then DON’T!

"Bite your tongue, before it bites someone else." (C. Huffman, 10/6/13)

Make your words count. Use your tongue to edify others---to build them up & to  encourage them.  

Submit your tongue to the Lord. Allow Him steer your words in order to avoid unnecessary or hurtful “flapping and snapping.” (in context, James 3:1-10)