CHOOSE: TO DIG FOR GEMS

Avid readers sometimes forget to deeply enjoy a book a long the way and tend to scan over long descriptive narratives. Often, they seem to be just fillers but sometimes one needs to remember to search for the treasures. I found such a treasure as I finished reading To Be Where You Are this week. 

For one thing, I found the title reference mid-stream and then as I was finishing up, I found a gem. 

Author, Jan Karon, uses Father Tim, her protagonist (a retired Episcopal priest) to pass along wisdom to his adopted son, who has wisely decided to take a little time off work to be with family just as Father Tim has done with "his" Cynthia.

So glad I chose to read deeply and not skip over this gem.

Karon says it well---sometimes we need to let go of all the cares and concerns which tie us down to time consuming routines which bind us to work rather than others. A light heart, that comes from trusting God and giving thanks, allows one to "regroup"  and gather in for herself and in turn pour out to others.

CHOOSE: MVP

Last night the Houston Astro’s became the World Series champs for the first time! What an uplifting moment for that Texas city which has endured so much hardship since hurricane Harvey. Hubby even came to bed late because he wanted to see who won the MVP. In the baseball world a World Series MVP is pretty important! Of course, can I even remember the name of the person who was awarded MVP last night? No.

But God reminded me how important “MVP” is in one’s spiritual life, especially concerning Scripture meditation.

I know, because  my Joshua 1:8 marginalia showed Robert Morgan‘s three necessary steps in Bible study from that one verse.
1) Read it. 2) Keep on reading God's Word aloud. 3) Don't stop reading and repeating it.

Reading, reading aloud and meditation are all on-going.
Meditate on it day and night. As Morgan states in All to Jesus, “Meditation is the missing link in getting the words from the page of the Bible into her bloodstream.” (Day 302)

The Bill Gothard seminar (1975) emphasized the MVP method of meditation; Memorizing, Visualizing and Personalizing. 

 It’s when one personalizes scripture that they bring in obedience that leads to applying truth to their own lives.  Just knowing more scripture is worthless unless it is applied to one's spiritual walk. 

Memorizing and visualizing are both good but personalizing is key.
When you choose MVP, choose the whole package. 

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SEE BEAUTY IN THEMSELVES

Why is it so hard for women to believe they are beautiful? Is it because they are measuring only their outer beauty and using the world's notions as their measuring stick. Maybe women compare their inside with everyone else's outsides. Or others' perfect family portraying FaceBooks posts.

The caption led me to buy the noosa yoghurt---but the yummy, creamy key lime taste will have me buying it again.

God"s word says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
God said it. (Psalm 139:14)
That makes it true. Why don't we believe it? 

Repeat after me is what I said to my recent class.
"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

God's word is good to have in our arsenal for fighting inferiority.
Isn't our disbelief an affront to our Creator?

2 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
 Let's unite as women to help each other, as God's creation, to see beauty in ourselves and others. 

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE THE REFORMATION

On this date 500 years ago (1517),  Martin Luther nailed his "95 " theses for all to see.

On this 500th anniversary of the Reformation some truths, nailed to that All-Saints' door in Wittenberg, stand out to me!

I am not justified by "my" works but my justification is a result of God's grace through the righteousness of Christ, who knew no sin, and died for mine. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24)

1. By Scripture alone
2. Through faith alone
3. In Christ alone
4. To the glory of God alone

Today I choose to celebrate Reformation Day as a reminder to "RETURN TO THE GOSPEL!

CHOOSE: A COZY READ

Temps have dropped. Tomorrow's lesson done. Supper in crockpot.

FINALLY----time to read. Not just any book. I've read so many gut wrenching WWII books lately that I think a "gentle" read is in order. 

A cuppa, Jan Karon's latest book about Father Tim and the residents of Mitford coupled with a full-size quilt and a quiet house beckon me to read. It's sort of like going back home---sometimes you just need to do it to be replenished.

CHOOSE: TO SHARE

Choose to share the secret of joy. 

REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN. (LUKE 10:20)

AMEN. Choose Him and have a great weekend!

CHOOSE: PURPOSE

An oft asked question is what is my purpose on earth?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism identifies "the chief end of man is to glorify the Lord and enjoy Him forever. "

Pondering "my purpose" these few weeks was an exploration of thoughts that went down many trails. 

This morning, the Lord helped me condense my whirring thoughts as I applied my moisturizer. 

Purpose ®, no less. 
A closer look showed me it had a dual purpose---which it took me a while to figure out. 1) Long lasting moisture prevents long -lasting dehydration. For me the  One who is the "living water" keeps me hydrated eternally. (John 4: 14)

2) Provides protection from sun exposure. My protection is lots of exposure to the Son of God. Just like Purpose ®, my purpose is dual as well. Pleasing God is my purpose with two components;to love God and to serve others well!

May my choice please Him.

"May He be pleased by all these thoughts about Him, for He is the source of all my joy." (Psalm 104: 34 (TLB)

CHOOSE: "WHATEVER"

Whatever! Whatever? Maybe I should have been more descriptive in my choice this morning.

Choose, "whatever" without an attitude. For, I'm not talking the cynical "younger set" use as a way of negative compliance or agreement. 

To me it can be sort of a snarly word. A slang for indifference, maybe.

Even Webster's gives "whatsoever" 4 different parts of speech when used in a sentence. But these days "whatever" is a sentence in and of itself. 

Whatever varies greatly according to its usage. Whatever is complicated,

Complicated unless you turn to God's word as my All to Jesus devotional had me doing this morning.

Whatever you do.............

• Commit it to the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3)
• Work hard at it. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
• As unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)
• Do it in His name and be grateful. (Colossians 3:27)
• Do it faithfully. (3 John 5)

Whenever I choose to do "whatever I do," as unto the Lord, I've made the right choice.

CHOOSE: SIMPLICITY

Preparing for this week's Bible Study teaching at Town Village, I have prayed for clarity of message from God's word and application of those truths to shine relationally in their own lives. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

Basically it all boils down to the "simplicity and purity of knowing Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) 

Loving God and sharing God's story in one's life with others. 

God's affirmation came yesterday as I was driving my grandson, O, to school---at the corner of Poplar and Shady Grove/Ridgeway, no less.

Simple truth----Simply put---Shared with others!

What a great reminder to me, as I sip my cuppa simplicity-TEA this morning, to continue to choose simplicity as I prepare to share my story. 

CHOOSE: TO LEAVE A LEGACY

You cannot impart what you do not possess. (Howard Hendricks, DTS)

You leave what you live. Legacy in a nutshell!

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:17-18, ESV)

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (1 Peter 1:12)

A spiritual legacy is what I choose---so that my children and my grandchildren might walk in truth.