JUNE IS HERE!

I don't always remember what day it is but I'm always excited to turn my calendar page to a new month! Flipping the page means I get to see a beautiful picture taken by dear friend and incredible photographer, Anne Brewer!

This photo is not only spot-on for June but the verse is perfect!

Of course it is!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.....(Hebrews 15:13)

God's timing! June is here with hope renewed.

BENEFITS OF BELONGING!

Fellowship aka Christian community is the bond of believers! 

It is belonging. Daily. Weekly. Spontaneously. A time to reconnect and rekindle because of "whose" we are.

Believers have taken off the old self, aka corrupt and deceitful life (Ephesians 4:22) and put on the new self which is true righteousness and holiness which is a bond of belonging.(Ephesians 4:24)

According to Taylor Park, those who "take off the old but don't clothe themselves in the new are like a naked Pharisee." Think hypocrite!

True believers who have put on the new self have that incredibly deep bond of fellowship! His love which binds everything together...(Colossians 3:14)

Coming together informally, zooming or in face to face worship is always a celebration because it is done "In His Name!" 

Fellowship is belonging in Christ.....therefore do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

MEMORIAL DAY 2023

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

            Unity without required uniformity

LAND OF THE FREE!!

            So in need of God's Presence

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!

            My umbrella of protection---no where else I had rather be

FRIDAY FOCUS!

Simplicity of song heard this Friday morning was an "open invitation," of sorts to turn my eyes upon Jesus..... to FOCUS FULLY on HIM!

Just click and listen. .....for only a minute and a half to begin your focus.

Be still.....(Psalm 46:10

Fix your eyes upon Jesus........through song, meditation and prayer.

Look to Him.......in quietness and trust.(Isaiah 30:15)

Gaze on God. Glance at all else.

REFOCUS

Consider....opening His Word. (Hebrew 12:3)

Examine..focus on the fact that God is present & speaks to us as we read His Word. (Psalm 119:105)

Inspect...words you hear/read on line...Beware of false prophets

Seek...Him first. (Matthew 6:33)

Thank God in everything! (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Focus on Him......not self!  A great Friday Focus!!

MUST BE

MUST BEs of LIFE.

Lester Holt or Nora MacDonald said it on the Nightly News. Jane Pauley, all dressed up, reported it on CBS Sunday Morning. So, it "must be" true! 

NOT! 

So NOT!! NOT So!!! Whatever phrase you use.

Where then does one find things in life that must be true in his/her own life?

Here's my list gained from recent Luke 14:25-35 sermon at Allen Bible Church.

1. My relationship with Jesus must be unrivaled as I prioritize my affections.
2. I count the cost of being His. Others must be able to see my unquestionable decision.
3. I must be undistracted in my orientation and direction as I grow in my faith.

I gain truth from the Bible. Truths, often emphasized by godly pastors. Priorities of truth that "must be" evident in Christ followers worldwide.

Think disciple---a learner who embodies what he learns from the truth in God's Word. (Buddy Liles quote)

Discipleship. Must be the "WAY" to go for me, How about You?

BOOKMARKED!

Friend and prayer warrior Carolyn W. has an entire book of quotes. Quotes also reside in her head....probably because she shares them with family/others daily.

I, not so much, I have them scribbled in marginalia in various Bibles or journals.... some barely decipherable as my hands age, others literally bookmarked as they are more current.

• DON'T LET WHAT YOU HAVE (stuff).....HAVE YOU! (Buddy L.)
• ALL THAT YOU ARE AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE IS A GIFT FROM HIM! (Buddy)
• OWN HIS OWNERSHIP OF YOU. (Cole H.)
• GOD ALLOWS WHAT HE HATES TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE LOVES. (Joni Eareckson Tada)

Bookmarked---whether in your head, on a page, or in a book, do your best to keep up with "life impacting, quote worthy info."

N.A.P.

I am always up for a nap....or down for....the quick snatch of sleep time.

But this morningI found a better N.A.P.! It was on my laptop screen and I cannot remember the source. Imagine that!!

How blessed it is to be able to give others a Non Anxious Presence in the middle of the storms of their life, your life or both.

Today, may all "busy, hurrying and scurrying" folks heed and N.A.P. knowing God is with; Our Sovereign Lord is in control.

EARS TO HEAR!

Ever had a friend who speaks in italics. Voice inflections control the snippets of thoughts that are important to her. Think "PITHY" in all caps! YOU THINK!.... is what she would say! 

UH, HELLO! REALLY?! That is so-o-o you! IMAGINE THAT! Oops that sounds like me! Pull-eese, I feel like I'm getting surrounded by hyperbole.....then I realize I'm the one doing the talking.

There in lies the problem. Too much talking---NOT enough listening! For me, it's also too much interrupting....way too often! 

Fearfully, it's as if I don't blurt it out right then, I'll forget it. Maybe God wants me to forget it as a way of learning to be patient, to be considerate and to be silent.

Give ear to what God says. Put down your iPhone and truly listen to Him and others. 

Have ears to hear and then respond with words from the heart. 

Addendum--Snippets from Lester Holt's 5/20 Commencement Address at Villanova weere shown on tonight. (NBC's Nightly News) Holt's words were validating to me as he too emphasized,"sometime a little less talking might serve us better...searching for the truth, asking smart questions....listening is short-tripped....listening is more than hearing words;...it's the meaning, the perspective, and the experience of others. Learn to listen with your mouth closed...All that said, we do need your voice. We need your voice to speak for knowledge....we need your voice to speak for justice and truth...civility...and know that not everything requires an instant immediate response. Take a chance; Learn to pause; be silent...... 

FORGIVENESS = CONTENTMENT!

Father forgive my "whine" within. Even when I don't voice it, I know it's there. May it not be!

Today is "Thankful Thursday," a great time to "trash the whine" and give thanks.....in everything! (I Thessalonians 5:18)

May my life manifest the Spirit of God within. 

Contentment ..........Christ in me the hope of glory is seen as I live in the light of His forgiveness!

Thank God I'm Forgiven!.....................

                    not just on Thursday, but everyday!

WORD to SWORD

Word to sword....what makes the difference? Just one letter.

Not an orthographic neighbor which substitutes one letter but the addition of a letter known as affix.....a letter placed at the beginning (pre-fix) or ending (suffix) of a root word to modify the meaning.

Many wordsmith's are crossword, worldle or other word game gurus as words, anything linguistic,  are "their thing." 

Often an additional one letter can change the meaning entirely. 

Think, cab to scab

On the other hand, one letter emphasizing the word by giving it a name.

God's "word" becomes "sword" of the spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)

This past week as I was continuing my meditation on the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6, I saw the word evil in a new light---or more like darkness.

Evil has a name. Add a d. Evil's name is devil. 

Be watchful. The devil is an adversary. The devil prowls. The devil seeks to devour. Resist him. He is not good.(1 Peter 5:8-9)

Who is GOOD? Drop an O to know.

GOD is good. He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you through His Word. (1 Peter 5:10)

Against the evil wiles of the devil,....

use God's Word as your Sword of defense!