The "REST" of the story.....

11//6/13  The Disciplines of Rest....Solitude. Silence. Listening. Meditation, Simplicity.

A lesson taught by me 11/5/13.

Posting those notes, as planned, without everyone's individual email addresses, is beyond me technically-----at the moment.

But.....until I figure it out, this recording of the teaching is a clic away and I actually read the outline, definitions, etc. At least that way you can stop and write and rewind. Just click the link below....

http://firstevan.org/media#!/swx/pp/media_archives/127169/episode/44441?play=1

until I figure out my tech glitch----called my mind---and then I'll provide the "rest of the story" of God's Gift of Rest.

FEEDING ON GOD'S WORD

11/4/13 To be fully healthy and live a life of abundant vitality, physical ingestion is only one part of our feeding. Spiritual nourishment is also necessary. Feeding on Gods's Word.

Photo by son-in-law, Corey whose Quiet Time allowed for feeding His soul.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

The original Hebrew translation from Deuteronomy 8:3 reads (I hope)

וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ אֶ֤רֶץ חִטָּה֙ וּשְׂעֹרָ֔ה וְגֶ֥פֶן וּתְאֵנָ֖ה וְרִמֹּ֑ון אֶֽרֶץ־זֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶן

That's for dear friends Michelle and Brenda to think on this week.

"Blue skies.....

11/3/13....nothing but blue skies." Even if there are dark and gray storms going on in your life, blue skies can be chosen as the "color" of your heart. Color your heart with hope. I know that it's easier to walk with the Lord and trust in His goodness without understanding all the "goings on" than to go it alone and try to figure things out for myself. This week just look up and enjoy the blueness that the Creator has used. Blue Skies.

"Indigo" evening

Morning Time of "Light Sky Blue"

"Deep Sky Blue" at Church Time 

"Cornflower Blue" of Noon Time 

If a camera doesn't reveal those "Alice Blue" skies, then focus on the radiance of God's "leaf" handiwork, as son-in-law, Corey captured.

"I'm late. I'm late......"

11/2/13 "I'm late. I'm late for a very important date......" said the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. A storybook rabbit who understood that "time is of the essence." Alice chased him thinking that the very important date must be a party.

Lateness seems to be the character trait of many. Excuses vary but usually have a commonality...running out of time.

Well tomorrow all of us get an extra hour in our daylight. Some will sleep through it, some will overwork in it and some will miss the opportunity completely because they forgot about the Day Light Savings time "fall back" instructions. 

"Time is the Measure of Life Itself" was the intro Donna Taylor wrote in her monthly newsletter. I paraphrased some valuable "time-life" snippets I gleaned from her:

• Time is God's gift and should not be wasted. (Ephesians 5:16)
• Busyness that robs us of time....can rob us of important things left undone because we ran out of time.
• Twice a year when we adjust our clocks and watches for DST, maybe we should check our inner clock and see if it needs adjusting.

Evaluating our time usage my keep us from being late for important events. I dare not run in to church in the morning saying, "I'm late, I'm late......" because it's important not to give up meeting together...so we can encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:25) 

**Fun pictures that just appeared in my email---so 

"timely" and adorable that I just had to share them!

• 
  

  

  Lucy, our own Alice in Wonderland

  

   A very important event---experiencing the Sweet Rewards of learning to say "Trick of Treat" at local businesses 

UNRECOGNIZABLE

11/1/13 Unrecognizable.....at least to most folks. When the masks are on, people don't knew what really lies underneath. Masks can make one feel safe. 

Only when the masks are removed can the "real" person be seen. So why is it so hard sometimes to take off the masks, especially in Christian circles. Inferiority. Shame. Fear.

Yet to those who truly know and accept them, warts and all, the person underneath those layers is visible and loved, regardless. Masked or unmasked.

God loves all His children in that way, even when our potential for goodness is unrecognizable by others. Masked or unmasked---just loved.

5 little (& not so little) Texans, recognized and loved by this grandmother.

"Star of the Week"

10/31/13 For a kindergartener, it's the best week EVER! "Star of the Week!"
A special SOTW bag for your chair. Pictures from your whole life (5+ years worth) on a big poster for all to see. Family can join you for lunch. Parents can come and read a story to the class.  Can "stump" the class during Show and Tell with the rhyming "brag bag." Ah-h the thrills of childhood stardom

"Officer Buckle and Gloria," one of "star" Owen's favorite books

Sufficient unto the day….

10/29/13 Study Notes & Marginalia

Worry = unnecessary anxiety----Worry happens when we lose sight of our loving Father’s care. Worry is lack of trust in God’s care. (Cathy Crowe)

Anxiety=afraid of what might happen. (Wayne Smith)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; worry empties today of its strength. (C. Crowe)

So don't waste your moments or your hours. Trust God!

Sufficient unto the day----our troubles and worries.   

But God….is the all Sufficient One.

Pick your Version

10/28/13 Meditating on scripture can bring a depth of understanding. Sometimes just reading a different translation of the same verse or passage can shed new light.

This weeks meditation came from my Atlanta friend, Katherine, who said she was praying this verse, Psalm 143:8, for me. What a blessing. What a verse. What a wealth of legitimate translations. /what a blessing to pass on as I have prayed this for others who are facing decisions and desiring God's good and perfect will in their choices. 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (NIV)

Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. (CEV)

Hurry with your answer, God!
    I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!
    That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
    I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
    I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—
    you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,
    because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
    into cleared and level pastureland. (Message, in context)

Pick your version and allow God to show you the truth He has just for you.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "TWO"

10/27/13 Guess who turns two today? LUCY!!!!! A 2 year old who loves dinosaurs and can fluently "read" a book with no text----yet, with understanding and appropriate voice inflections.

Jesus---Active Verb Tense of Life

10/16/13  Recently seeing the Spanish for John 1:1, I was struck that the Spanish for word is verb. Though I don't speak Spanish, past ¡hola!---that translation spoke volumes to me. (La Biblia de las Américas) 

He who is the Word, is also the verb. I know it's in a much broader sense and allows a little license with grammar usage..... BUT, it speaks to me! His continuous action in the lives of believers.

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Juan 1

EN el principio era el Verbo, Dios y el Verbo era con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios

 In the verb tenses of life, Jesus has always been, is ever present and will always be. 

Past. Present. Future.