PORTMANTEAU: A PERFECT RECOLLECTION!

* 9/9 Youngest grandson, Jack, just provided me with the best portmanteau of the week. "Trifficult!" When trying to make it to potty on time or trying to pick up all his toys...he  says it's too difficult even to try! It's too trifficult!  

A portmanteau out of the mouth of a babe. (Matthew 21:16)

NO TRIFFICULTY AT ALL  for my weekend portmanteau blog entry thanks to Jack!

RETRO-FOCUS!

Retrofocus has only been a photography "lens" term that I never quite understood.This past week I have used it as a lens through which I revisited my past times with Sarah Young. 

Looking back has soothed my soul. A much needed balm. 

A signature. A picture. Texts. E-mails. A cuppa together.

Notes in my Jesus Calling journal & other journals as well.

No WOE with her, no matter how many opportunities for woe in her life, her focus was rarely there. Maybe a simple prayer request that I saw as a "biggie." Then a turn  to Words of Encouragement for me. 

She also gave me encouraging words to share with others during tough times, when I had no words.

At the crux of my MAC cancer journey in 2009, an 8:37 pm email offered comfort so I could sleep.

Helping me to hang my guilt away in a locked area of my mind.(Isaiah 61:10)

Modeling God's grace to replace remorse.

Teaching me time with Him is the best R & R! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Helping me focus. Refocus. And Refocus. (Repeat as often as it takes.)

Today I wished she were here with me, an SOS of sorts. 

I already know that she would remind me of the BEST SOS---when in distress, Seek Our Savior!  

I'll refocus with that sweet reminder from Sarah.

PORTMANTEAU

Portmanteau---a suitcase opening flat with two equal sides. But....that's not what this entry concerns. It's just to give you a mental image of 2 parts into 1 whole. Now, think two words combined to give one entirely new thought.

Wordsmith's have long had a way of creating their own words. At our house the kids became familiar with an entirely new vocabulary created by their dad. 

Portmanteau words in my past seem to "stick" long before I knew they were a literary device. 

 

Brunch, at our house meant Mother's bridge club was coming and brunch (a repast between breakfast and lunch) would be served. Sporks would be provided if cobbler with ice cream followed as this spoon fork utensil would be perfect. Plus, it took up less room on their "card table."

Literary devices make some of these creations "legit" by "naming them."

• hungry + angry = hangry
• IPod + broadcast = podcast
• situational + comedy = sitcom
• smoke + fog = smog
• emotional + icon = emoticon

 

...created character combos side ways on keyboard to save space

Wordsmiths love combining words to make new words.

Recently I began using selrel as a negative in my journal jottings.

My portmanteau for self reliance. Two words together for one meaning. 

Trying "to do" all  in your own strength. 

SELREL----Think antonym for God's strength.

Selrel--won't become legit in the linguistic world, but it's an "in your face" reminder for me to BEWARE---of looking to self for strength instead of leaning into the LORD, who is our strength. (Psalm 46:1)

REVIVAL: A SNAPSHOT!

What does revival look like, one might ask.

Metaphorically, it's a fire in one's heart.

Outwardly, think I Peter 3:8.

Actions of kindness over curtness.

Listening rather than labeling.

Compassion instead of criticism.

Openness over pretense.

Love others before self.

Take a look in the mirror. Is that what you see? If not, get out your spiritual Windex.

Revival, in a snapshot, is shiny and clean.

Message received yesterday from Sarah Young's family. 

It's like sadness to gladness and back again.

Here's part of my response---because when I don't know how to express deep emotions, I turn to God's Word.

John 7:38, my paraphrase

I am sure all the family would appreciate prayers for strength and comfort during this time....her husband, daughter and son and their spouses, and her 6 grandchildren.

Sarah Young, whose life was served a cuppa fragili-TEA and frail-TEA, sweetened it with a heaping spoonful of faith and trust in Jesus and poured it out to others as a cuppa mo-TEA-vation to re-vi-TEA-lize their faith in Jesus.

To God be the glory!

positivi-TEA: A FRIDAY FOCUS

Positivity---I'm not talking conjuring up thoughts as you unfold your body from a yoga bend or depend on your own might. I'm talking about a lifestyle as a Jesus follower which allows others to be encouraged as they see Christ in you.

Is it a mindset? I think of it as a discipline. A choice made easier for me to make as I'm in the presence of those who already practice positivity and allow it to spill over to me. 

Or chat and pray with me over a cuppa.....of positivi-TEA.

Pic from my cuppa file

Ten years and one week ago today, August 25, 2013, a cuppa positive-TEA happened in my life in a special way.

Friend and prayer warrior, Sarah Young served me tea. But.....she served me much more than that. 

We lingered. 

She listened. Sarah is good at that. 

She comforted. She encouraged.

She exuded positivity, tailored for me. 

She was radiant. She shared how to take refuge in Him, never omitting pains and struggles but sharing coping strategies in a way that blessed me beyond measure. 

Sarah has prayed daily for years for those who read her books. Many us have been blessed by her writings as she, being still before the LORD and seeking the truth from his Word, has shared with us. 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:4–5, 8)

This is a a positive, encouraging verse of peace, joy and hope for Sarah.

Won't you join me in praying it for herald her and her family? 

Positivi-TEA---a great cuppa shared.

**I received this message from Sarah's family.

Thank you for prayers. Sarah graduated to heaven yesterday at 5:31 and in the presence of Jesus. 

I sought the LORD

SUPER BLUE MOON!

AUGUST 30, 2023---how many ways can we say it!

Creation speaks loudly of a creator.

God said, Let there be lights in the sky. (Genesis 1:14)

The heavens declare the glory of God! (Psalm 19:1)

BLUE SUPER MOON ARISING!

Sometimes we can let creation speak for itself tho my picture doesn't do it justice.

This combo is not suppose to happen again until 2037.

Hmmmm......wonder if I'll be looking up as hubby & I did last night from the patio at 1152 or if i'll be looking down from heaven. 

I'm sure that Super Blue Moon view would truly be spectacular!

US!

US! A pronoun, A plural pronoun for believers in the church. God's church.

A representative! In word and deed.

Christ's representative. Think ambassador.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (1 Corinthians 5:20)

My H.O.G. (Hand of God Prayer List, 73) finally caught my eye. 

Us became noticeable along with ambassadors. Plural.

Shake us. Give us. 

What do we need? God's Word. 

I went back to card # 1. There it was. Us.

....give us one simple ambition....to live for Your pleasure. Make this the consummate passion of us.....! 

Enough said for all us.....ambassadors of Christ.

SIMPLY SAVOR!

Savoring! I'm not talking chocolate truffles here!

Tho, I have trouble enjoying just one without being overwhelmed by guilt.

I so easily wear guilt these days. It's like I can never do enough for the Lord and others. 

But God in His love and mercy continues to remind me that I need to let go of anxiety, guilt and busyness and lean in to Him. (Jesus Listens, August 29)

Fret not, Dots.(Psalm 37)

Relax. Enjoy the moment in His Presence! Have a truffle.

Savor the Savior!

REVIVAL!

Group name in my contacts says REVIVAL! 

To me it is descriptive of the group I pray with on certain Mondays each month.

Over 25 years of praying together. 

First we communicated via Ma Bell. Texting not an option. I was only a summer participant due to work committments.

Scripture has become the springboard of our prayers.

We are transparent with each other. What is prayed in the room, stays in the room.

Our goal---revival among God's people, the Church. Our church. Our city. Our country and beyond!

God's people, who are called by His name, humbling themselves to pray. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

REVIVAL begins there.....and it blesses my heart beyond measure!