INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY.

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY! Who knew???? I did, Of course.

 My all-time favorite dance partner was Daddy. From following him while standing on the tops of his shoes to dancing at my 45th class reunion between my cancer surgeries, Daddy led me as only he could.

How I miss those times! How I miss him.

THIS IS THE DAY.......

This is THE day...............

I have to admit that lately I haven't a clue what day it is. Most days all "feel" the same.

Though I might not know what day it is, I do know that "this is THE day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it". (Psalm 118:24) 

Hope you rejoice with me.
** Just had to add what a MS reader commented---Notice each day ends in Y---What a comfort to know that our "Y" Yahweh is still with us at the end of each day. Rejoicing with you.

DEFINING THE CROSS

Words from last weeks Good Friday message have me mulling from the Latin to Greek to present day usage, Isn't that the meditative approach for all wordsmith's. Words can go beyond simple definitions--even when there are several parts of speech. Context helps define the usage,

The "cross" mentioned in Good Friday's messages around the world is a good example.

That "cross of Calvary. That cross constructed of cruel Roman timbers.

That cross has affected lives and language throughout centuries.

Excruciating is a word that has its base in the cross. A word used then and now during these coronavirus times as unbearable, physical and mental pain to the point of anguish.

Crux from the Latin means cross as well. Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, says in our times crux is a critical juncture or point in time. Crux is a key idea or event that effects all others--everything hinges on it. 

Together resurrection and cross of Christ are the crux of history of the Christian faith.

Crucial. When something is crucial we cannot ignore it. One must pay attention to it and respond. Mark 10:45 states "For even the Son of Man came not to serve but to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark's words are the good news message which defines the cross---an excruciating death, which is the crux of faith and requires a response. A crucial response which determines the crossroad of your life from this juncture.

To hear 5 minutes of clarity on this topic, please listen to Allen Bible Church pastor, Buddy, with his overview on my YouTube b/c it wouldn't load from my video.

YouTube Buddy Liles

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

For me, I headed out on this sunny day for a "praise walk"---which wasn't too hard because of the full bloom azaleas that glowed as I rounded the first corner........allowing me to see, as I stood still, "the great things that the Lord did before my eyes." (2 Samuel 12:16)

With irises just a few doors down.....

and parents and children decorating for Easter. (1 Peter 1:3, Psalm 130:5, NLT)

Turning west past the sign I entered Temple Israel area of Barbara's Garden and began praising the Lord & praying for my Jewish neighbors to be still and see the salvation of the Lord.(Exodus 14:13-14) 

A slight look to my right and I saw an amazing sight.............

....a cow looking at me from the caretaker's window. What a fun surprise! 

Thankful for fun surprises this Thursday which I can share with my cow loving friend, Doris. 

Sweet Doris who named her blind cow Stevie Wonder!

SOUL FOOD 2020

My March 20, 2020 entry, Attack-a Stack, explained the "creative" way I was extending my quiet times. Today the devotional book at the top of the stack was so timely! Streams in the Desert (L.B. Cowman)

It could have been written TODAY---for such a time as this! A Covid 19 Pandemic times. Copyright laws prevent me from printing it all here.* 

The entry began with scripture, as always. Today's was from 2 Kings 4:4.

Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.

My musings---

A widow with her two sons were to be alone with God. God only. Removed from their circumstances. Totally isolated. A time to get in touch with God alone---to depend on Him. God, the Source of miracles.

Analogy given was that of Christians on the treadmill of life, ordinary, predictable. A time was needed to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith. A time for God to show us something new. Something Divine. A new pattern for life with Him.

Like the widow, "detached from outward things and attached inwardly to the Lord alone in order to see His wonders." --from Soul Food. 

In my life, God isolated me during my cancer journey.(2009) God clearly spoke to me from the MAC diagnosis to a year of surgeries and treatments. I was fed by others, with a syringe through a pencil sized hole in my mouth. Hands of others liquified my food for intake. 

But God.....He, Himself, fed me daily. Soul food straight from His Word. 

My pattern was a D.A.N.C.E.. It's when God taught me "our" DANCE--a dance He had just for me. He became my dance partner and led me in every step. A unique dance. He was there for evey twist and turn. I kept focus---always looking up into His face and not down at my feet. (circumstances) If I did stumble, He was always there to keep me from falling headlong.(Psalm 37:24, NIV)

It became the first big step of fruit bearing for me....as I stepped out & shared my story. 

I will be forever grateful for soul food from His hand and others who became HIs hands and feet on my behalf. (Psalm 27:13, NKJV)

* For the complete God's Pattern-Streams in the Desert, click the highlight.

SOUL FRIEND

Years ago, at least 10, I read a devotional, which I can no longer cite. 

But....amazingly enough, anam  cara, "a wordsmith" term has stuck with me. 

Anam caara. Celtic term for soul friend.

Much more than "bestie" or BFF.

A soul friend for Christians is one, who understands the teachings of Christ and "listens" with her heart! So GRATEFUL for soul friends who walk beside us and help us discern God's path......

----which is always the right path!

When needed, a soul friend, can give needed spiritual advice filled with encouragement and truth, especially at crucial points in life. Often a soul friend has gone through the same suffering or confusion and is able to share personally. A true soul friend is one we can speak openly and honestly with as she helps us to follow God more faithfully.

A soul friend can be trusted because a soul friend trusts in God.

Soul friends can love each other with heart and soul. (1 Samuel 18:3)

FAMILY MATTERS!!

Family does indeed matter---Family (adj) Matters (noun) or Family (noun) matters (verb).

Anyway you say it families matter to all of us. So do naps....when you're the matriarch of the family so I'm heading to take one. The surgeon general, or some such official said it's important to keep on a schedule during this COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm back. Nap refreshed me.

With most our family being miles apart, this coronavirus is taking its toll. Even the ones who are close by can only be seen at a distance, through a window. Our toddler doest's understand at all when he can see his PopPop but can't get to him. A desertion of sorts for him and the tears follow.

The baby who is the furthest away has no idea how much she is missed but Daddy knows that I really want to see her. Lately he's been sending morning pictures to brighten the beginning of my day. They are new every morning, much like God's mercies. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Today I saw her "tooffies" front and center.

A few days ago our son documented our elementary school Texans with such a clever "homeschool" picture. It included the all important date for their first day at their own "Corona Academy". His are attending  the  Pleasant Run Campus.

Family really does matter especially during this unprecedented time in our lives. So grateful that though we are miles apart, our hearts are as close as ever.

HOME CHURCH GLEANINGS

Fellowship is such an integral part of the life of Christians.....mutual encouragement is given when together. (Romans 1:12) Even God's word encourages us, "not neglecting to meet together"....encouraging one another. (Hebrews 10:25)

With the COVID-19 virus directions to be vigilant and practice social distancing, how grateful  I am for the availability of fellowship via our devices,

This morning from our Sunday School class conference call, a YouTube sermon broadcast at my son's church and a livestream from my home church, our fellowship was practiced in brand new ways. 

Many of these presentations were "adjusting" and a few glitches occurred (some tickling our funny bones) but here are a few if the gleanings:

1. All included prayers verbalized over a variety of petitions.
2. God's word was always included---Psalm 91, Roman's 10:9-17, Revelation 21 & 22:1-5
3. Singing was worshipful from a church office as well as a Music Minister's home

My notes: Practices include; 

• FAITH OVER FEAR, 
• CALM OVER CHAOS, 
• PEACE OVER PANIC.

All gleanings enhanced our Serene Sabbath home church.

SMILE OF THE DAY!

CELEBRATING OUR MOMENTS!

HAPPY 7 months BIRTHDAY ---To Marigold aka Goldie and Gogo.

Too cute not to enlarge so her smiles can spread smiles to all of us!

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children! (Proverbs17:6)

ATTACK-A-STACK

"Plop and Drop" is not usually the best way to study God's words.

But....this past week as "State of Emergency" was declared by our President, I have been using a "stack and attack" method along with my regular quiet times of study and prayers.

During this time of isolation, recommended by the CDC to prevent spread of the coronavirus, hubby declared he had "tested positive" for boredom. Not wanting to give-in to that, I've been reading a different devotional each day---sometimes 2. It's amazing how my eyes have been opened to these familiar entries with new insight.

Have a look at what truths I have seen. Glean truth from them as you read my impressions (sometimes w/ emphasis) or read entire entry if you have that devotional book.

3/13~All to Jesus~We can trust Him with loose ends and unsolved problems ....He expects us to depend on HIm with life's outstanding problems. 

3/14~Streams in the Desert~Do not fear these unknown things, but be content to accept the things you cannot understand and to wait. (Exodus 20:21)

3/15~My Utmost for His Highest~ As they followed, they were afraid. (Mark 10:32)" When darkness of dismay comes, endure until it's over, because out of it will come that following of Jeuss which is unspeakable joy." 

3/16~God Calling~ "My children I am here beside you. Draw near in Spirit to me. Shut out the distractions of the World. In quietness and confidence will be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

3/17~St. Patrick's Prayer portions (Allen Bible)~I arise today with God's strength to pilot me; God's might to hold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me--Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,  Christ on my right. Christ on my left,  Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I rise....

3/18~Jesus Calling~ Don't get tangled up in...worry- webs. Trust me one day at a time. Do not be anxious about tomorrow,....Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble (Matthew 6:34) The next entry stated, "Let the Spirit change your mind , combing out tangles of deception."

3/19~Practically Holy~"Hope rises. ...live out the hope of the gospel even in the face of stress and loss, and grimness of this place. ...but I trust God. I choose to hope in God". (Colossians 1:22-23)

3/20~Edges of HIs Ways, I spent lots of time this morning meditating on passage from 2 Chronicles 7:10-16.  As I finished that time of meditation I picked-up Amy Carmichael' daily devotional notes. She began the March 20 entry with a question, "Have you ever noticed this? Whatever need or trouble you are in, there is always something to help you in your Bible, if only you go on reading till you come to the word God specially has for you." Carmichael continued, You will know it the minute you come to it, and it will rest your heart." The words I found this morning during my quiet time had done just that...."humble self, pray and seek God's face....He will hear from heaven and heal our land." 

It was as if I had received a God wink of affirmation for my "attack the stack" endeavor this week.                     

It's been fun trying a new way to "attack the stack" as a way of refocusing on the Lord anew each day!