Literati Addendum

2/16/11

Previous literati blog was difficult for me to “publish” because I was afraid of appearing more judgmental than concerned. Am I? So like me----worrying about how others might perceive me.

But God…..showed me that what I was considering was just groundwork for the bigger conflicting picture of knowledge and truth with opinions factored in to it. Michael Kerns, a missionary from Barnabas Associates, monthly letter (February 2011) arrived and offered deeper insight and widened my somewhat narrow view. Guess what, folks? Even knowledge of the literati doesn’t lead to wisdom.

“We have heard of some very smart people and have met some. Pundits like to use smart to describe people that they usually admire whose supposed intellect surpasses the rest of us ordinary ones. These praiseworthy people sit successfully at the top of their endeavors in sports, entertainment, politics or even religion. You can be a very smart person and savvy in the ways of the world and be wonderfully successful, but you may not be wise.”

Michael went on to define one who lives wisely as one who uses God’s Word as his “flywheel.” (I had to look that word up.) “Skillful living must come from the applied knowledge of Scripture” is the way he put it. But….even as Christians we need to heed more than those words heard from the erudite of the pulpit. This scrutiny is not to disparage pastors in any way---my son is one---but to emphasize the responsibility we have to study God’s truth on our own. Then we can allow sermons to complement what God has shown us through our own personal study of “His Holy Writ.”

Well spoken, Michael. Now I need to call you before I add your addendum to my literati blog or maybe Larry can ask when he sees you at Poplar Perk 'n.

Literati

2/15/11 Literati----Love the sound of that word. Heard it just recently as the correct answer to the “final Jeopardy” question. A hint embedded in the question was the opposing reference to those in pop culture whose opinions are seemingly valued more than those of the well read/learned. That would be the glitterati ----those famed celebrities and social elites on whom we bestow intelligence and legitimacy whether they have a clue or not. How sad that the words of the glitterati speak loudest in our world today.

It’s as if fame and fortune give one the credentials for dogmatically explaining everything from foreign affairs to religion. Don’t get me wrong, we all have a right to our opinions but that’s what they are, “our opinions.” We don’t have to buy into what the glitterati say or their chosen lifestyles of overindulgence just because they make it big at the box office or on the sports circuit. A student told me that she watches the news everyday a 3 p.m. to keep abreast of what’s happening. When I asked her which program, thinking CNN or Fox, she said, “Oh no, I watch “Inside Edition.” They had Lindsay Lohan’s latest court appearance and you should have seen Lady Gaga’s outfit.” ---or lack there of, came to my mind. Oh my. You get the idea.

Impressionable young minds building their ideas on TV feeds. I would like to fill their minds with everlasting truth. I would like for them to consider ideas and lifestyles that are “true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report” (Phil. 4:8) and “think on these things.” I would like their iPad RSS feeds to stream from God’s word.

Of course, that’s just my opinion, what’s yours?

Heart Reflections

2/14/11

Jamie Trussell, of Downline Ministries, spoke yesterday about how easy it is for a “spirit of inconvenience” to override a “spirit of compassion.” His message from Matthew 15 was so convicting to one who, just this past month, confessed to the “lure” of ease and convenience in her own life. He reminded me that Christ –centered compassion spills over into action. Does my own heart reflect compassion? Does yours? Reflect on this heart description from God’s word.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; (Colossians 3:12)

Move our hearts O Lord. May our lives reflect Your compassion as we take action and minister in Your love to others.

"HAPPYs"

2-13-11

Daughter Molly is always calling to say she’s bought me a “happy”----probably partly due to the fact that she’s already way ahead on “official” designated gift days. I received my Valentine’s gift weeks ago. I have to admit, she is a thoughtful shopper so her gifts are always “right on,” though this frugal mom wishes she would spend the money on her self. This past week, she again revealed ahead of time (via Ma Bell) her most recent gift. She labeled it a “little happy” and it was “perfect” right down to the packaging. The set of bookplates included one with a teapot----so apropos! The packaging alone brought a smile to my face. A teacup with a C.S. Lewis quote that speaks my own heart, “You can’t get a cup of tea BIG enough or a book L O N G enough to suit me.” (I told you it was perfect!)

Her gifts bless my heart. They make me smile. She gives out of her own lack and she gives thoughtfully and not under compulsion; I could learn so much from her.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,….the cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:13a &15b)

LITEA

2/12/11 Litea is a bookstore in Budapest and I love the Hungarian spelling because it reflects the two things I so-o-o enjoy in combination---a good book and a cup of tea---a good brisk Assam. I also loved this shop when I visited there on a mission trip in '97. There's just something universal about the smell of a good book store---it's right up there with the glorious smell of leather in an old library. Plus, this one had this small watercolor for sale that enabled me to bring this memory home with me.
I know that as Ecclesiastes 12:12 reminds me, "of making many books there is no end and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body." So, I try to do as The Preacher says, "find delightful words, and to write (and read, DAL) words of truth correctly."
A memory of the smell of good books (worthy of reading), a brisk cuppa and a small painting---a Litea experience right up my alley.

“POT PARTY”

2/11/11 Snow Day # 4 was reminiscent of “pot party” days of years gone by. Not the kind attended by hippies in the 60s, but ones where the Gurners, Higgs and Templetons with kids in tow, would come to our house with a “pot” of soup or spaghetti or chicken & dumplings or “whatever” was available from the pantry. Following sledding at the street hill on Lancaster, we’d come back to warm up and chow down. What fun that was!

So yesterday when I cooked, as I pridefully reported in a previous blog, I pulled out the big pots. Actually it was a lot like those former pantry raids. A recent Kroger sale had netted lots of stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce, so spaghetti was concocted. The potatoes were sprouting so I boiled ‘em in a pot and made potato salad. I had chicken left over and Velveeta in the fridge so HHS teacher, Debbie Gann’s, Tex Mex Cheesy Chicken Chowder was thrown into the mix. (*recipe below by request of the lunch bunch) A pecan pie was added “just because” (translated craving) and though I didn’t have those Pillsbury “unroll, fill and bake” refrigerated pie crusts, that I could borrow from neighbor Gayle in those days, I had the necessary ingredients in the pantry to make a crust using oil. (Certainly didn’t taste as good as when Elnora makes it----but eating around most of the crust and adding ice cream produced a tasty dessert.

But……the “fun” was missing. There was no one around to share it with---especially family and good friends. I’d gone through all the steps as in years past, but our home is an empty nest now---no little ones to share the joy. Isn’t that the way it is when you have something really good, you just want to share it, especially with kids. I want to be alongside my "grands" encouraging them in life----to create a meal from a pantry surplus or leftovers or to be with them at their first sports banquet. I want to watch them as they begin to “taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) I want them to know I Corinthians 10:31….”whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”----even if it's just eating ordinary food out a big old dented pot at their Shug's house.

*Tex Mex Cheesy Chicken Chowder

(a big pot full that serves 16)

1 lg. onion chopped (I used ½ bag of frozen ones b/c that’s all I had.)

1 c. thinly sliced celery

2 cloves garlic, minced (NA so I just sprinkled in the garlic powder from pantry.)

1 T. cooking oil

1 ½lb. cooked boneless chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces (I had bone–in and flavor was great.)

2 14ox. Cans chicken broth (I added a little extra broth from my chicken pot.)

1 32 oz. frozen hash browns, loose pack in frozen foods. (I only had 30 oz. & that was plenty.)

1 2.64 oz. Country Gravy mix (Only Pioneer brand pepper gravy in my pantry but it tasted like country.)

2. c. milk (I only had ½c. of skim so I used 1½ c. of half & half for the rest.)

1 8 oz. process cheese cut in chunks (My left over Velveeta was perfect.)

1 16 oz. chunky salsa (Available brand on my shelf was Kroger.)

1 4 ½ can diced green chili pepper. (NA I used 4 left over pepperoncini from the Papa John’s pizza box.)

1. Sauté onions, celery & garlic in oil until veggies are tender.

2. Add broth and potatoes Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer 5-7 min., stirring occasionally.

3. In medium bowl, dissolve gravy mix into milk. Stir in cheese, salsa and chilies. Add to “pot” along with the chicken. Reduce heat to low. Cook until cheese melts.

Fantasy Blog

2/10/11 You know you can’t ever truly believe what you read on a blog because bloggers want to put their best foot forward----I just recently read that. I should have read it sooner so I could “spruce” up my blog life for public viewing. It is true that I don’t tell all---maybe I’m sitting on the couch with laptop in (well, in my lap, where else) surrounded by laundry that needs folding. A few weeks ago I “lost” a roast and I chose not to tell that because how does one lose a roast between taking it out to thaw and coming home to an empty counter. The search that ensued was dramatic, with hubby, the bloodhound of most lost things at our house (most usually lost by me), checking everything from garbage cans and car trunks to my closet. We assumed eventually our nose would lead us to it---similar to those years of “lost” Easter eggs. I figured it was just in the lost items black hole with my swimsuit, numerous gloves, (my newest replacement pair lost yesterday on the coldest day of the year) car keys, MEMORY etc. Said roast was eventually found 10 days later in the freezer as friend Hal had suggested---though both eagle-eyed Larry and I had checked all 3 freezers numerous times.

Why is it so important to appear as something we are not? Why do we want to appear organized, thoughtful and smart, not to mention spiritual, as if we never miss a quiet time? Do we have it all together? Not at my house.

That desire is a cover-up for all our perceived inadequacies because we know “man looks on the outside.” We are people pleasers! "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

How many times do we need to be reminded to “never compare our insides with someone else’s outsides?”

Galatians 1:10 offers some great questions for pondering. Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Am I trying to please men? I thought about that as I was cooking today. (I was cooking---are you impressed---even making a homemade pie crust, though it wasn’t as light and tasty as when Elnora makes it) I rationalized that if I told too many of my foibles, folks wouldn’t want to read the blog because they would know how really pitiful I was, then how would I encourage or inspire? But God…..He let me keep the same title but made me include a few of the latest life snafus---because just sharing the good stuff would be a fantasy…..though I did sneak in the cooking part.

*Vanity of vanities, I didn’t even want to use my own "reminder finger" in the picture because it’s wrinkled, a touch arthritic and I don’t “do” manicures.

Solitude Sought

2/9/11 Duties. Details. Distractions. So many of those “D” words have been crowding my “quiet side” lately. I know many folks probably think I don’t even have a quiet side…..but God has shown me I need such. Just today as I sat curled up on the couch watching the snow falling quietly and gracefully, I was grateful for the time just to sit.

Do you ever ache for some quiet, yearn for some solitude? Job 3:26 says, “I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” That verse shows the root of turmoil---lack of peace, lack of quietness, lack of rest.

Need to relieve your life of turmoil? Try a little solitude.

Maybe I, (and you?) in solitude, need to quietly reconnect with the One who reenergizes….. “in quietness and trust is your (my) strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

Meet Ian

2/7/11 This delightful (even when he is on heavy pain meds) young 15 year old from Texas, will undergo surgery here in Memphis tomorrow morning at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. The surgical team will remove some tumors from his brain. Ian has TS (tuberous sclerosis), a very rare disease that causes non-malignant tumors to grow in the brain and on other organs such as the kidneys, heart eyes, lungs and skin. A side effect of the TS is epilepsy and Ian has a very rare form of this seizure disorder. He had his first seizure five years ago. However, the more serious disease of TS was not diagnosed until approximately 2 ½ yrs later.

He had his first surgery this past Tuesday (2/1) and is doing remarkably well---with much of the swelling subsiding. He can now open his left eye again. Even in the midst of all of that, he had a way of capturing my heart. He let me know right away that he was going to be rooting for the Packers in the Super Bowl---guess who became my team of choice!! His southern Louisiana roots were clearly showing when, in somewhat of a slurred voice, he declared Memphis wings to be rather on the “wimpy” side. Naturally I had to introduce him to some serious “hot” wings from D’Bo’s---even promising to bring him some of D’bo’s “suicide” variety once he’d fully recouped. I wouldn’t want to send that new head of his into a tail spin trying to “digest” those things----though he assures me he will be up to the challenge.

The way that I was introduced to Ian was such a God thing---something I don’t take lightly. So, I will be praying for him as he begins his “BIGGIE” operation in the morning around 7:30 a.m. Prayers for---wisdom and skill for the doctors, exact location of the 2 large and possibly the third tumor that need to be removed, diminished pain following the surgery and extra measures of mercy and grace for Ian and his mom and dad, Jody and Wally, his brother Wes, his grandma (affectionately called fam-maw by him as a youngster) and his aunt Dawn plus a host of others whom I have yet to meet.

May all the Wrights "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

Now you’ve met Ian---allow God to move in your heart on his behalf.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY

2/6/11 ….was probably not written at the top of my 4^th grade homework sheet but that, in fact, was our assignment. Mrs. Munday (Alice M. Piper) would just tell us to learn Psalm 8 by heart so that we could recite it with the class----or Psalm 23, Psalm 24, or Psalm 121.

I assume today that learning by heart would be considered an idiom for memorizing. Yet, I think she had the right idea for if we learned something well enough that it became a part of our thought patterns, we then could be recite it quite easily without “contrived thinking.”

I really like that idea of learning by heart. Of course, I like everything that Mrs. Munday did. You might remember that she’s the one who held me in her lap when I cried over division. She took the “complex” elements of that arithmetic operation and separated them for me so that I could understand the inverse of multiplication.

Lately, I’ve wished she were close by so that I could ask her to help me move from the complex to the simple in scripture memory operations because I continue to struggle. For example, I still stumble over, Isaiah 41:10, which I received many times & in a variety of forms during my cancer journey. It’s a verse of trusting God and keeping fear at bay while being assured that He will continually give me all the strength I need and help me in any and every situation while holding me up in His righteousness

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I have certainly learned the meaning of this simple verse in my heart ---maybe that is more important than the recitation. If not, the simplified version, “Do NOT be dismayed, for I am your God…will continue to remind me daily of the “heart” of this verse---as it is reflected in the antique mirror that sits on my chest. This gift is from Michèle, my fellow MAC (cancer) sojourner, who understands that in the “new normal” things don’t always work as well as they once did, even scripture memory.