AFFIRMATION

2/2/12 Some days one's psyche could use a little encouraging or affirmation. I have recently had such a day----similar to Alexander's, "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." But a blast of guilt and shame came instead of affirmation. I sank right into self-pity.....and I know where that originates. Self-pity comes straight from the pit.
Affirming others is a biblical art---in Paul's letter to Philemon he commends him for affirming others in the faith.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,.....For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. (vs. 4-7)

I know that my focus needs to be on affirming others. Refreshing others.....and not worrying about being refreshed myself! Easier to type than to do. In fact, I like Alexander, considered going to Australia. (To visit Sarah Young) But, like the wisdom of Alexander's mother, I know that some days are like that..... even in Australia.

Some days I could do with remembering that I need to please God, not man. (Galatians 1:10) My affirmation should come from Him. The only place I saw it that day was from my toothbrush. Maybe that was a "God wink"---His creative affirmation. At least I smiled.

ROR = an acronym lesson

2/1/12 In our abbreviated world of texting and e-mailing, acronyms are a way of life. Financiers know that the IPO for FB will result in millions for those young upstarts of the company. NASCAR folks know exactly what those letters stand for, but I don't have a clue. Internet slang has people LOL after their puns---just don't confuse it thinking it means lots of love or you could hurt someone's feelings.

Today's My Utmost for His Highest entry dealt with the "reality of redemption"---ROR in my marginalia. Christ's suffering was a reality that offered redemption for the whole world. ROR> Phonetically did you hear the "roar"? That's the sound of angels in heaven approving and applauding someone's acceptance of the Lord's redeeming grace. AKA the Reality Of Redemption.

He redeemed us through His death on the cross. That's the gospel....condensed.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)  

ROR is what keeps me AGOG---Awed by the Gospel Of God!

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCES

1/30/12 Remembering my 2004 "mountaintop experience" at The Cove continues to draw me. Oh, how sweet are those mountaintop memories. I want to to return. I want to experience anew that rich experience I had as I encountered God afresh during my stay there. Yet, I know that it's down here, in good ole Memphis, where my life meets reality. Sometimes brutal reality. Admittedly, the glow of a life-changing experience can seem preferable to suffering, but God can meet us at our point of need.

Therefore, I need to continue in His Presence right here where "the rubber meets the road." Where the truth of my faith is fleshed out daily.  In the ordinary---in the mundane--- in the daily grind, even in the pain, I can find Him. His power is as real down here on the meager bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi as it was in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.

Like Peter in Matthew 17, it's easy for me to want to stay on that mountaintop---secure in the shelter of His love and majesty. 

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Peter was even willing to build a shelter for each of them. They couldn't stay there (v.9) and I can't either. Neither can you.

But God ....is allowing me to return, albeit briefly. I received my confirmation today. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOT: Faces of Thanksgiving

1/29/12 Celebrating my "new" face with Dr. Louis Carter, a compassionate man of God and world renowned plastic surgeon, who just this year received the Surgical Humanitarian Award.

Dr. Carter is THE doctor who spearheaded the search for my "team" to do my surgery when Memphis doctors and others declared me "beyond" them. I was unknown to him----but God.........brought him to Memphis---via Africa, Hawaii, Houston, TX & Chattanooga "for such a time" in my life. After a twisty, circuitous path, he found my team in Dallas, TX.

That path was "SEEING GOD'S HAND" in such a way that it still takes my breath and makes me smile at the same time. I will be forever grateful!

SATURDAY SURPRISE

1/28/12 Sitting in my usual Saturday morning spot with a cuppa and my Bible open to Psalm 1, I heard a loud clanking sound. It was the men from Macon Road Landscape delivering our memory tree. A Cherokee Princess white dogwood from 21 dear, dear friends. A gift in memory of both of our parents.

What a glorious surprise! 

How appropriate that I was meditating on Psalm 1, especially those first 3 verses.

¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

 ³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

As they were leaving the driver said, "Have a blessed day." I feel blessed indeed. I hope the leaves on this special tree will flourish and not wither. Can't wait to view my "Saturday Surprise" this spring when it's in bloom!  

Hardhead, Bonehead, Numskull.....

1/27/12 ....any of those terms indicating an osteo diagnosis would be okay by me. The result desired, from my recent test, was bone in the forehead area---not anything tumorous. After a week of waiting, I just wanted to know the diagnosis.
Though I had prayed for, and requested prayer for, patience and calm as I awaited results, the silent phone was getting to me. So, after much prodding by Claudia and other friends, I called the doc just as his office was opening at 9am. I was instructed to leave a message.  More waiting ensued.
At 4:15 the phone rang. It was Dr. S's nurse. That voice was a good sign. Previous experience has taught me that when it's the doc who calls, the diagnosis can be pretty grim or at least unsettling. "Mrs. Liles, your skull scan showed ______ (fill in the blank with any of those "osteo" words) with an extra little boney knot on your forehead. Dr. S just wants to watch it---so he'll see you in 6 months." End of conversation.
Relief is such a great emotion.
Gratitude ensued---that's an even greater emotion for this numskull.

KNITTING IT FORWARD...a strand of service

 

1/25/12 Service has been popping up everywhere on my spiritual radar. The student ministry strategy at church this year is Seek God---Share Life---Serve Others. Hubby read last night's Allen Bible Church's NT2012 reading from John 13 and the example of Jesus "washing his disciples feet" 

was such an example of service over self. 

 

Last week I saw it up close and personal as a group gathered at Drenda's to knit dolls for the children who come to the Church Health Center. Spurred on by an article in the Commercial Appeal, they decided to use their talents to meet that need. Knitting for others is not foreign to this compassionate bunch. From preemie hats for a hospital and knit hats for needy school children along, with prayer shawls for folks like me, they just keep knitting it forward---in service to others.

It's had me asking myself, "What am I doing to serve others?" Can I do more? I want to serve the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:2) He's given the answer. I just need to pay it forward, even if my serving (knitting) is still in the "remedial" category.

humiliTEA

1/24/12 It's official---Micah 6:8 is going to be my focused verse for 2012.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

When it became part of Pastor Cole's message on January 15, I felt that strong NUDGE to take this verse to heart. I also was convicted of not only a lack of kindness in my heart but also a need to get a better grasp on humility.

So....this week I'll be serving up a cup of humiliTEA for self and any readers needing to imbibe. Hopefully even our individual hearts will begin to absorb it.

For too long my life progressed in a carefully planned (by me) venture. Concentration was on accomplishment of goals, all usually written down, for self and children. Right times, right ways, always safe, always under control. (my control, so I thought) Lists were made, checked off (even prayer ones) and I moved on. Then came a period of the realization of how off-course I was. What was I thinking?

God was in control----had always been and would always be. His will was being done. I needed to align my will with His. I needed to "walk humbly" with my God. Bendable and flexible for God's purposes. (Huffman, 1/15/12)

A cuppa of humiliTEA with a bit of humble pie sounds like a good start.

Connectors: Conduits of God's Power

Sunrise on Longreen as I read Genesis 1:14-16

1/23/12 But you are a CHOSEN PEOPLE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, GOD'S SPECIAL POSSESSION, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ..... now you are the PEOPLE OF GOD;.... now you have RECEIVED MERCY. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Much more to say about God's power---but "taking a beating" with blog problems, so adding text is very difficult.
But God....
He is our source. We are just conduits. (Huffman, 1/22/12)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: AROUND THE BLOCK

Marion, a young NE Patriot's fan----maybe her enthusiasm spurred them on to victory against the Ravens today..

A "Special Delivery." Newborn picture of our Marion delivered to the door by John, our neighborhood's USPS postman.

Removing the old----making way for the new

Rebirth

New Birth

Having great difficulty getting any text on blog----had to add pics just to get a text box. Hope to figure it all out soon so that both Seeing God's Hand and regular blog posts can continue.