FOCUS OR FALL!

Last Friday, I fell.

This Friday I'm focused on not falling. 

Everyone keeps reminding me; be aware of where you are going, hold on to the bannister, watch out so you won't bang your heel on the bedpost, watch where you are walking! You're not focusing!

Does "trying to focus" count?

Obviously not....I just stumbled.

My focus must be throwing me off-kilter. Hmmm.....

Refocus is needed.

If we walk with Him closely today, we will be in the center of His will tomorrow. (Henry Blackaby)

Hmmm....

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day!

As I focus on the Lord, I know He will be there to pick me up "for He upholds me with HIs hand," (Psalm 37:24) regardless of what day it is!

"FIL' ER UP!"

Fill 'er up, please! 

Ever used that phrase when having a cuppa with friends?

Have you ever been distracted and literally filled to overflowing?

compliments of Doris 

An overflow can happen in your spiritual life and not always for the best reason. First, one must empty self of distractions, expectations, obstacles of worry and opinions, to fully fill up with God's wisdom strength and mercy for the moment.   

Paul David Tripp (New Morning Mercies, 6/07/23) diagnosis is dubbed, "eternity amnesia." A malady that causes one to focus on self-centered wants......which our broken world cannot deliver. The world's inability to deliver disappoints every time.

But God, in his love and mercy, refills us day after day once we've emptied ourselves. (Valley of Vision, Fullness in Christ)

Take your morning empty cuppa, and ask God to "fill 'er up.....so His blessings will runneth over! (Psalm 23)

PRACTICING SABBATH

How does one practice keeping the Sabbath when she can't even go to church? 

I'll let you know as I discover.

Shabbot---in the Hebrew means cessation...as in rest Think stop. 

Stop doing long enough to rest in your relationship with the Lord.

Stop striving. Stop fearing. Stop regretting.

Too often I need the reminder to press the "PAUSE" button in my life to be refreshed in what God's purpose for me is this day.

HAPPY DANCE FRIDAY!

K-LOVE celebrates "Happy Dance Friday".....that's my kind of day!

Celebrating I'm a "Child of God" & dancing is going on my calendar for everyday.

As the song says, "On my my best day, I'm a child of God."

But what about your worst day?---you might ask.

The answer is, "On my worse day, I'm a child of God." (Nahum 1:7)

I'm so blessed!

"It doesn't matter about the rest if I've  got you Lord, I'm so blessed." 

Today and "every day is a good day." 

God, our help, is the reason why..... I'm going to dance on Happy Dance Friday!!

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."