CHOOSE: CORRECT MULTIPLICAND

In calculation, one gets a "product" (answer ) when one chooses the multiplicand that is to be multiplied. Multiplicand x Multiplier = Product

To me, in my spiritual life, this is somewhat of a warning. Those mathematical terms might be a stretch for all the thoughts that multiply in my head but God is showing me that anxious thoughts multiplied indicate I need more of Him or I will get a quantity obtained by multiplication, which I don't want. (Psalm 94:19)

As Chuck Swindoll states in the "anxiety" chapter 3, Christ at the Crossroads, (my) problems,  "multiply" when I insert "my" solutions, try to work them out by "myself "or allow "my" own "fear" of inadequacy to creep in. The product from the multiplication of those problems is an answer I don't like. I become "afraid."

Clearly the answer for the multiplying of anxious thoughts is fear.  "Fear with inadequacy." 

Multiplying anxious thoughts becomes a deep-seeded fear much too heavy for me to carry around----so I choose thought multiplicands of love & truth, given by God. For He has not given us "fear but power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) I'll take those "products" any day. 

CHOOSE: TO CALCULATE WITH GOD

Calculation, in beginning mathematics, often includes subtraction. 

In the spiritual life it's a very important component of one's day---when used to subtract "our" additions. Our additions, which are not in right relationship with the Lord's plan for our day, need to be taken away. As my grandson would say, "two take away one is one." Spiritually we need to keep the "ones" which are God's and "take away" others. The terminology, subtract or take away or use of the minus symbol - , doesn't matter. God's formula for our lives is always the right answer. Subtraction often syncs with submission.
However, one subtraction is NEVER a component of a godly relationship.

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.(Psalm 25:4-5)

One doesn't ever subtract God from any area of life---whether ordinary and seemingly mundane or crisis. To do so, allows doubt to come in from all sides.

So...I chose to begin my day prayerfully calculating with Him---and it's a good thing I used an erasable pen!

CHOOSE: TO HEED

Pray and Obey. Pithy with a punch. It even rhymes!  A great reminder to heed.

The Lord has been revealing much to me in His word this week as I have chosen to "pray" scripture.

Now....it's up to me. Will I obey the truth I have been shown? 

Some obedience is much easier than others. But God.....wants it all.

Taking every thought captive seems to me a besetting sin. (2 Corinthians 10:5,) i.e. worry. (Philippians 4:6)

Marginalia to the rescue. Chuck Swindoll notes, from the anxiety chapter 3 of Christ at the Crossroads, reminded me:

I worry when...

ADD--- something else to my already FULL agenda

          ---my reputation/pride to a situation

          ---someone else's expectation of  me ..........& then I become angry.

I worry when I calculate without God....considering consequences of "addition without him" seems a good beginning point for lots of needed heeding.

Now, I need to choose to heed, but I think I'll just focus on inappropriate addition---that seems doable today. I certainly don't need to add frustration or anger to my life, which Swindoll sees as a result of too much addition.

CHOOSE: TO FILL HEART WITH GOOD THINGS

Choosing to fill a heart with good things boils down to filling it with truth. God's word is truth. When words pour forth from a heart filled with his word, those words are seasoned with Scripture. Think "salt." (Matthew 15:13)

Worthy Words. Words that honor His name.

The story is told of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, who said it was "hearing a group of women talk about the things of God and the work of God in their hearts," which brought about his own conversion. Bunyan certainly "took notes" of their words and then acted on what he heard.

Matthew 12:34 says , "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."

A good choice, to fill one's heart with good things because one never knows who might listening.

CHOOSE: "REAL" GOOD NEWS

These days its often hard to discern "fake" news from real news and frankly none of the news seems to be of the "good" variety!

But God....blessed my heart yesterday when I opened Sunday's Commercial Appeal business section to "GOOD" news!

Plan on heading that way soon to patronize our "new" novel.---our locally owned bookstore.

My "Dove" message sealed the deal---at least, it made me smile and enhanced the chocolate treat.

It's fun to choose "real good news" one day followed by choosing some dark chocolate a day later that reinforced my decision to "shop local." Not that I ever need too much nudging to visit a bookstore or library.

CHOOSE: PEACE WITH YOUR PAST

Don't come to your present moments encumbered with "if only" regrets from your past!

Sip a cuppa amnes-TEA with your past. Sweeten it with acceptance. 

Otherwise you might squander the "present" and never find lasting peace.

"Only in acceptance lies peace." Elisabeth Elliott, (my NIV marginalia)
I choose Christ in Me---the One who gives me peace in the present but also enables me to come to terms with my past, so that His peace might reign there as well.

CHOOSE: CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

On a recent morning "cousin" walk on Cedarwood in Nashville, I came across a bird church. 

For some reason that woodland anomaly of sorts, spoke volumes.

A quiet place. A gathering spot for the flock. A place for feeding.  A place under the cross as if they to are atune to the one who feeds the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:25)

A bird church---not unlike my own church or the church at the end of Cedarwood.

A place for God’s flock, although we’re more like stubborn sheep at times, to gather. That Monday, the Cedarwood congregation came to view the eclipse together and even invited us to join.

God’s church. A place to go and be fed. Often times it’s a place of quiet prayer. Other times, especially Wednesday nights and “fellowship Sundays,” it’s a place of “chowing down” for physical sustenance.

On Sundays, church is a place for spiritual sustenance as we come together to “feast” on God’s word and be nourished by it, just as the early church did.

Continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching  (their words came straight from God Himself) and to fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

For me, church is the wise choice. It nourishes me spiritually and relationally with both God and man. I know “some” folks don’t feel that way. God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-25, says, “….not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”

I don’t want to be one of the “some” because I not only want to encourage others but I am so  blessed by the encouragement I receive as well.

I am grateful for the little bird church in the woods which reminded me to choose church!

CHOOSE: TO PRAY

Weary from travel, though all was fun, we decided to go ahead and drive home. It's just that we left about 4 hours later than we originally intended, even knowing rain was a possibility to the north of us. Factor in dismissal time at Fort Campbell and stress becomes an added factor. I wasn't even driving but when the possible rain turned into thunderstorms which deserved a numerical rating, if their was such, for ferociousness of such a storm, I noticed my shoulders were up around my ears and my hands were gripping the "chicken bar." 

Cell service was sketchy on the rural back roads but one came through from my prayer warrior, JoLynn, ending with her addition of the praying hands, emoticon.

What an encouragement to me. I had been "shooting up" panic prayers as well but her note had me calming immediately.

I felt like I received another "God Wink" when we passed this truck as we drove out of the bad weather and got closer to HOME!!!

From the back of an 18 wheeler, I was given a BIG God Wink.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

What a reminder that the Lord was "near" in the midst of the storm, honoring my "yes" answer to  the truck's question, "Did you pray today?" 

How grateful I am that I could say "yes" because I did choose to pray!

CHOOSE: HOMETOWN FUN, FROLICKING AND FOOD

Fun, frolicking and food in one's hometown---encompasses familiar places as well as brand new spots. 

Place of longest totality for viewing the solar eclipse was none other than Hopkinsville, KY, aka Hoptown by the residents.

A peek at the old home place---2211 So. Virginia. I puddled.

Virginia Street cousins

Ferrell's---a must stop for anyone for a good ole greasy burger.

A stop at Riverside Cemetery---more puddling, to pay respects to "The Adams Family!" You can see Mother and Daddy's graves between the columns. Pappy & Christine Young, our across the street neighbor for 50+ years, plots are still just across from the family.

Then it was on to Kelly, just north of Hopkinsville, location of the "little green men" landing place on August 21, 1955. Ah-h-h how the legend has grown.

Leaving town via 9th street we got a sackful of delicious Whistle Stop Donuts and waved good-by to the Eclipseville.

So grateful for the time to share with family and to "drive" down memory lane. How easy to give thanks when one's heart is overflowing with praise and gratitude. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

CHOOSE: LOOKING UP

Today all across our nation--from west (Oregon to east (South Carolina) people will be looking up!

My official American Paper Optics ISO 12312-2 filter glasses were ready for viewing

The most exciting part was during the complete eclipse when all around us nature came alive as if it were twilight time. (Hubby's pix is better than mine but this one was at hand.)

Birds gave off roosting sounds. Crickets and cicadas blared. Maybe they were locusts because they were so loud.

Then, the streetlight came on and a deep quiet preceded the roar of excitement that echoed up and down the streets throughout the neighborhood as folks shared their excitement of having viewed their first total solar eclipse---whoops and claps, horns honking, embracing and dancing in the street! (Ecclesiastes 3:4-5) What fun to be a part, especially with family celebrating together!