GRUMBLE SEAT

2/24/12 This blog title had to be written in all caps because it can be a glaring problem for me. Most recently the inability to use our land line (my source of conversation) or my computer (my source of "blog" communication) had my grumblings rumbling,---thanks to a lack of perfection on Comcast's part. Aha, first clue---never expect perfection. 

This "grumbling" problem shows a deficiency in my spiritual conduct which I too often try to gloss over with a joke. But God.....is continuing to point it out so that I have to deal with it. Scripture has much to say about grumblings (Philippians 2:14) and contentment. (Philippians 4:11 & 1 Timothy 6:6) 

Even Anne Frank, who  could certainly justify her choice to complain, chose instead to remain positive. She, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8, could be downcast without giving into despair.  In spite of her circumstances, Anne Frank chose not to grumble. 

• The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. 
• Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. 
• Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy. Look at these things, then find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
 
• And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery! (www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3720.Anne_Frank)

My remedy is to refocus on  my Creator; to enlarge my heart with gratitude and be thankful, to find joy in the moments.

As someone recently said, so revealingly, "You (Dotsy) have no reason to complain." So, today I choose not to complain----I even choose not to "re-enter" yesterday's blog post. I don't even want to approach that "grumble seat," reminder of yesterday's frustrations and failures.

R & R Recollections #2

2/23/12 Intermittent internet service is preventing me from posting---will return when it does.

R & R = Retreat Reflections #1

2/22/12 Sanctuary. Meditation. Two words that speak loudest in their silence of what my 5 days of retreating became. With morning schedules cleared and no clocks to demand I check the time, I sought the Lord.

I learned that being still is hard and learning to listen is harder still. "Divine whispers," as Richard Foster calls prayer-filled listening, require both. (Sanctuary of the Soul, p.12)

My first morning, I learned in Nehemiah 9, that when the Israelites cried out.... , you (God) heard from heaven. (v.28) Yet they refused to listen (v.29) and weren't paying attention (v. 30) I chose then to make listening a priority and to pay attention to cultivating a spiritual place in my heart---an inner sanctuary of sorts where I could hear from Him.

  

Lots of time was spent in the psalms with meditation and praying the scriptures. Lots of time was spent searching out songs in an old hymnal as well as singing from memory. I sought sanctuary with changed venues, but always it was the place where I would meet God. I was drawn to it. I carried my sanctuary in my heart. 

I journaled---lots. I left tracks of my mornings with marginalia throughout my Bible. I even wrote a poem/prayer to the Lord.

Draw me, Teach me,
Show me Yourself behind my earthly eyes.
Close my ears
...that I might listen with my inmost being.
Still my heart that I might hear Thee from heaven
...loud and clear in the silence.
Open my ears
...only to the whispers and nudges of Your Spirit.
Open only the eyes of my heart, Lord
...and send me out.
Send me out
... filled with quietness and trust of these moments.
Send me out
...to refresh others with the refreshing that has come from Thee.

Meditation began. I was drawn near to the Lord. To that place of quiet confidence and rest. Where is that place? "Near to the heart of God." Sanctuary.

MEDITATE TODAY!

2/20/12 Plain and simple. It's Monday. I meditate. How about you? Have you gotten into the "Monday Meditation" habit yet? January 26, 2009 was this blog's first introduction to that daily designation series. Even on February 20 of that same year, I shared the BSF questions that can aid meditation? Somewhere along this blogging path, I must have decided not to veer from that alliterative requirement. Of all the days of the week, it's the one that has me blogging the most. Meditation on God's word is that important to me.

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide. (Genesis 24:63)

Do you have a special place that "calls" you to meditation? Do you have a particular time of day? Maybe establishing those factors might help you be consistent. For me, it's been establishing THE day. It's not always the only day but it is my one sure day. What's important is taking God's Word to heart and mulling it over under the guidance of His Spirit. That's meditation. It works for me.  What works for you?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: LONGREEN LADIES

2/19/12 This sign says it all. So grateful that young parents on our street have chosen to raise their daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. My Saturday's list of little "A" ladies---how special (and adorable) they are. My prayer privilege. 

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs: 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs: 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs: 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs: 22:6

A #1

A #2

A#3

GONE BIRDIN’ (GBBC)

Hubby would be birder in back w/binoculars & the glow in the dark white hair. 

 2/18/12 Hubby and I went birding yesterday. Daughter  says joining that type of group activity makes us officially OLD!  We joined folks from the Tennessee Ornithological Society for a brown bag lunch and training for this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. These folks are serious birders. They count as much by sound as by sight. It was a real eye-opener for me----which says a lot because even with hubby’s 10x magnification binoculars---as “strong” as our leader’s, I could never quite focus in time to see the birds. Luckily some gorgeous wood ducks swimming lazily on the lake were most cooperative.


Of course, when an immature red-shouldered hawk was mistaken for a red-tailed, I was aghast! Yea, right. Though eventually I did find him in the top of a tree, I saw only a big hawkish type bird. They “heard” a red-shouldered hawk. We do have, according to hubby, a “resident” Cooper’s hawk, that preys on the songbirds at our feeders.

SMILE, Mr. Cooper's Hawk

Am I a birder? No. Have I ever done this before? No, though I did plan our summer trip around birding areas and it was an adventure.  Why did I go? It’s hubby’s thing and after my “retreat” week, I felt turn about was fair play. I enjoyed watching him watch his birds. Pop-Pop’s birds, his grands call them. 
Birding is a quiet activity. It’s a way of entering creation’s sanctuary. 

Yesterday was a way of seeing dwelling places that the Lord has created, especially “for the birds.” Plus, we were trained to “count.” Official certificates confirm our expertise. I even got to enter 5 American goldfinches that I saw at our feeder Friday morning, the first day of the “count.”

Not only did I get to see my husband in a new light but I also was able to experience quietness and reflect on the LORD. 

So…..birdin’ is a good thing.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, 
 LORD Almighty! 
2 My soul yearns, …… 
for the courts of the LORD; 
…… 
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, 
   and the swallow a nest for herself, 
   where she may have her young— 
a place near your altar, 
 LORD Almighty, my King and my God. (Psalm 84:1-3)

Texts for knowing God

2/16/12 “This is my Father’s World and to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres…..of rocks and trees and skies and seas, His hands thy wonders wrought….”  (lyrics from memory, but Chris Rice’s piano rendition is playing on my iPod, as I type)

An often said adage, “two texts of knowing God are His word,” (Psalm 119:38) and His creation. (Romans 1:20) has been clearly revealed to me this week---becoming truth in my own life. Whether seeing Who God is, in His Word, or seeing and hearing God on my walks, I have come to know and love Him more.

But it was that tune remembered from years ago that flooded me with the truth that is proclaimed in nature. Nature is that open book to the beauty not only of creation but also of the Creator Himself.

That hymn was introduced to me sitting in a pew at First Christian Church (Disciples of Chris) on Madison Avenue in Clarksville, TN. Probably elementary age. Probably winded from the long walk to get there from So. Second Street.
Sitting next to me was another “text” of knowing God, my grandmother. Jesus was written all over Mama Davenport’s life. 

How grateful I am for that “text” in her life. May I become such a “text” to others.

Are you reading me?

GOD SONG

2/15/12 Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty, Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee…..If I were to “wager,” I’d say that hymn is the first, or at least on the first few pages, of every Methodist and Baptist hymnbook. You denominational folks, with hymnal access, will have to let me know.  It’s just stored in my mental hymnal bank---those recollections from my youth. God can certainly speak to my heart through those rich old melodies and familiar lyrics. 

So......this week, I've been using hymns to speak to God’s heart. I’m singing familiar verses and choruses to the Lord and praying the psalms, Bonhoeffer’s “prayer book of the Bible.” In a way it’s also a hymn book of the Bible……so I must be on the right track.

Holy, Holy, Holy’s lyrics have shown me the importance of executing this vocal exercise, my God Song, as morning "breaks". This week I’ve been composing my song “early”….whether it’s a praise song, a battle song or a song of comfort. Composition takes place before my feet even hit the floor!

How grateful I am, as one who can’t read music or “carry a tune,” that the Lord who hears from heaven, (Nehemiah 9:28) hears the God Song of my heart---not the pitch of my voice.

From FANTASY to REALITY

Fantasy Meets Reality

2/14/12…..or from NYTimes to Aldi. The NYTimes article (2/8) on lobster in a puff pastry momentarily had me considering that I could afford and create such a gourmet treat--- that, my friends, for me, is a delusionary state of mind.

When kids were younger, i.e. living here, Valentine’s Day “tradition” was a dinner using all the china, crystal, silver, etc. The rationale was that if they were ever invited to the White House for dinner, they wouldn’t embarrass themselves.

"New" Coconut pie recipe---created with what I had on hand.

Caleb, this is a place setting with more that one fork.

 Kids are gone from home and our newer tradition, dinner for two, is somewhat pared down. Seafood has become “bill of fare” along with fresh asparagus and whatever else is on sale though usually a “new” dessert to be served before after dinner “divinity, my fave gift from hubby. This year’s momentary deluded state of mind will hopefully include lobster, but not the NY way. Aldi’s Lobster tails, 2 for $12.99 is the reality---and even that’s a stretch because I’ve already gotten big scallops from Costco, hubby’s fave. 

V’day is right in the middle of “retreat” week for me so  I’m anxious to see where God leads me. At least the table is already set. 

The first thing He did, was to lead me from fantasy to reality. Then He allowed me to blog early so I could cut and paste this entry when the day comes---He reassured me that both He and hubby prefer my time and praise, not perfection. 

Perfection is not reality at 1152!

R & R = RETREAT

2/13/12 Reflecting and Refreshing-----that's the R & R I'm seeking this week. With the onset of funk #2 before 2012 was barely a month old, I knew a negative antidote was needed. "More of Thee, less of me." God affirmed that answer 3 times. #1 I received FOCUS newsletter from church. (p. 1) Cole's Pensées (a worthy read) included T. S. Eliot's poetic remarks in Choruses from the Rock. Although Cole didn't include, "The endless cycle of idea and action"----that was the hamster wheel I felt I was on. 

Endless invention, endless experiment, 
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness; 
 

Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;
 Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word. 

Where is the Life we have lost in living? 
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? 
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

  #2 My Utmost for His Highest entry  2/9. My THOTS, Trusting Him On This Subject/Scripture, (my version of penseés, though not as erudite) were: Spiritual exhaustion comes through service, though mine are not of the "headline" variety. Exhaustion depends on where you get your supply. Go back. Recollect where the source of power is. I need to be my best for God's sheep as well as God Himself.

#3 Guest speaker, Rob Bugh, author of When the Bottom Drops Out, took me to Lamentations 3 and reminded me that if my "strength has perished" I need to examine and probe my ways (activities, maybe) and return to the Lord. (v. 40) I need to.... seek Him, wait for Him, wait silently. So on Meditation Monday, I started there.

²⁴ “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”
²⁵ The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
²⁶ It is good that he waits silently 

To me, it all boils down to stillness. Time with the Lord. 

What will it look like this week as I "retreat"? I'm not exactly sure. But God.......will meet me where I am. I sense that less (activity) will be more. Less information, more knowledge. Knowledge of stillness and silence, not constant motion. Deeper, richer times with Him. It might include digital detoxing with e-mail and "googling" and letting go of the NY Times, USA Today and "Nightly News." I might blog or I might not. 

Pray with me that my reflection on God's hand in my life as I align my will with His will, will be a time of stillness.....in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3: 19)